NBA playoff picture: All of the scenarios and stakes for postseason contenders down the stretch run

The NBA playoff picture will come into clearer view each day between now and the end of the regular season on April 12. In the meantime, we will provide detailed daily updates on the landscape, including magic numbers, remaining schedules and the stakes forevery day's slate of games.

Jump to: Western Conference

EASTERN CONFERENCE

In the Eastern Conference, the Detroit Pistons, Boston Celtics, New York Knicks and Cleveland Cavaliers, in some order, appear bound for the top four playoff seeds and home-court advantage in the opening round. The Pistons, who hold a five-game lead on the Celtics and Knicks, are almost certain to capture the East's No. 1 seed, barring a complete meltdown in the absence of injured Cade Cunningham (collapsed lung).

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Who, exactly, those four teams will play in the opening round is entirely up for grabs, as just two wins separate the fifth seed from the 10th seed. The Toronto Raptors, Atlanta Hawks, Philadelphia 76ers, Orlando Magic, Charlotte Hornets and Miami Heat are all jockeying for position down the stretch of a season that has surpassed 70 games.

Technically, the Milwaukee Bucks and Chicago Bulls are still alive for postseason contention, though they are locked in a different kind of race — one for lottery odds.

Playoff-bound, seeding to be determined

1.Detroit Pistons

Record:52-19 |Net rating:8.0 (2nd)

• Clinched playoff berth

• Magic number for No. 1 seed: 6

• Remaining schedule: ATL, NOP, @MIN, @OKC, TOR, MIN, @PHI, @ORL, MIL, @CHA, @IND

• Highest possible finish: No. 1 seed

• Lowest possible finish: No. 4 seed

What's at stake:The No. 1 seed and home-court advantage throughout the Eastern Conference playoffs.

Battling for guaranteed playoff spot

2.Boston Celtics

Record:(47-24) |Net rating:7.8 (3rd)

• Magic number for No. 2 seed: 11

• Remaining schedule: OKC, ATL, @CHA, @ATL, @MIA, @MIL, TOR, CHA, @NYK, NOP, ORL

• Highest possible finish: No. 1 seed

• Lowest possible finish: No. 10 seed

What's at stake:The No. 2 seed and home-court advantage in the Eastern Conference semifinals.

3.New York Knicks

Record:48-25 |Net rating:6.8 (5th)

• Magic number for No. 3 seed: 8

• Remaining schedule: @CHA, @OKC, @HOU, @MEM, CHI, @ATL, BOS, TOR, CHA

• Highest possible finish: No. 1 seed

• Lowest possible finish: No. 8 seed

What's at stake:The No. 2 seed and home-court advantage in the Eastern Conference semifinals.

4.Cleveland Cavaliers

Record:45-27 |Net rating:4.3 (8th)

• Magic number for No. 4 seed: 7

• Remaining schedule: MIA, MIA, @UTA, @LAL, @GSW, IND, @MEM, ATL, @ATL, WAS

• Highest possible finish: No. 1 seed

• Lowest possible finish: No. 10 seed

What's at stake:The No. 4 seed and home-court advantage in the first round.

5.Toronto Raptors

Record:40-31 |Net rating:2.0 (12th)

• Magic number for No. 5 seed: 11

• Remaining schedule: @LAC, NOP, ORL, @DET, SAC, @MEM, @BOS, MIA, MIA, @NYK, BKN

• Highest possible finish: No. 2 seed

• Lowest possible finish: No. 10 seed

What's at stake:The No. 5 or 6 seed and a guaranteed playoff berth.

6.Atlanta Hawks

Record:40-32 |Net rating:1.7 (13th)

• Magic number for No. 6 seed: 9

• Remaining schedule: @DET, @BOS, SAC, BOS, @ORL, @BKN, NYK, @CLE, CLE, @MIA

• Highest possible finish: No. 2 seed

• Lowest possible finish: Out of the postseason

What's at stake:The No. 5 or 6 seed and a guaranteed playoff berth.

7.Philadelphia 76ers

Record:39-33 |Net rating:-0.8 (19th)

• Magic number for No. 7 seed: 10

• Remaining schedule: CHI, @CHA, @MIA, @WAS, MIN, DET, @SAS, @HOU, @IND, MIL

• Highest possible finish: No. 2 seed

• Lowest possible finish: Out of the postseason

What's at stake:The No. 5 or 6 seed and a guaranteed playoff berth.

8.Orlando Magic

Record:38-34 |Net rating:0.7 (17th)

• Magic number for No. 8 seed: Do not control own destiny

• Remaining schedule: SAC, @TOR, PHX, ATL, @DAL, @NOP, DET, MIN, @CHI, @BOS

• Highest possible finish: No. 3 seed

• Lowest possible finish: Out of the postseason

What's at stake:The No. 5 or 6 seed and a guaranteed playoff berth.

9.Charlotte Hornets

Record:38-34 |Net rating:4.7 (6th)

• Magic number for No. 9 seed: 10

• Remaining schedule: NYK, PHI, BOS, @BKN, PHX, IND, @MIN, @BOS, DET, @NYK

• Highest possible finish: No. 3 seed

• Lowest possible finish: Out of the postseason

What's at stake:The No. 5 or 6 seed and a guaranteed playoff berth.

10.Miami Heat

Record:38-34 |Net rating:2.4 (11th)

• Magic number for No. 10 seed: 3

• Remaining schedule: @CLE, @CLE, @IND, PHI, BOS, WAS, @TOR, @TOR, @WAS, ATL

• Highest possible finish: No. 2 seed

• Lowest possible finish: Out of the postseason

What's at stake:The No. 5 or 6 seed and a guaranteed playoff berth.

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Still technically alive

11.Milwaukee Bucks

Record:29-42 |Net rating:-5.5 (25th)

12.Chicago Bulls

Record:29-42 |Net rating:-4.3 (23rd)

What's at stake:Whichever team finishes with a worse record will receive a 20.3% chance at a top-four pick and a 4.5% chance at the No. 1 pick. And whichever team finishes with a better record will get a 13.9% shot at top four and a 3% shot at No. 1.

However, if the Bucks do ultimately land the No. 1 pick in the draft lottery — or any selection higher than the New Orleans Pelicans — it will convey to the Hawks.

Wednesday's games of consequence (all times Eastern)

• Hawks at Pistons, 7 p.m.

• Bulls at 76ers, 7 p.m.

• Thunder at Celtics, 7:30 p.m.

• Heat at Cavaliers, 7:30 p.m.

• Bucks at Blazers, 10 p.m.

WESTERN CONFERENCE

Out West, the Oklahoma City Thunder and San Antonio Spurs are bound for the top two seeds, with OKC holding a considerable lead for the league's No. 1 overall seed.

The Los Angeles Lakers, with their recent nine-game winning streak, moved in as heavy favorites to capture the conference's No. 3 seed. Beyond them is anyone's guess.

Zero losses separate the Denver Nuggets, Minnesota Timberwolves and Houston Rockets, who are all but guaranteed the West's final three guaranteed playoff spots. Only one of those three teams will earn home-court advantage in the first round.

The conference's play-in tournament field is also all but set. The Phoenix Suns and Golden State Warriors appear headed for the Nos. 7 and 10 seeds, respectively. And the L.A. Clippers and Portland Trail Blazers will duke it out for the Nos. 8 and 9 seeds.

Playoff-bound, seeding to be determined

1.Oklahoma City Thunder

Record:57-15 |Net rating:11.1 (1st)

• Clinched playoff berth

• Magic number for No. 1 seed: 8

• Remaining schedule: @BOS, CHI, NYK, DET, LAL, UTA, @LAL, @LAC, @DEN, PHX

• Highest possible finish: No. 1 seed

• Lowest possible finish: No. 2 seed

What's at stake:The No. 1 seed and home-court advantage throughout the playoffs.

2.San Antonio Spurs

Record:54-18 |Net rating:7.7 (4th)

• Clinched playoff berth

• Magic number for No. 2 seed: 2

• Remaining schedule: @MEM, @MIL, CHI, @GSW, @LAC, @DEN, PHI, POR, DAL, DEN

• Highest possible finish: No. 1 seed

• Lowest possible finish: No. 4 seed

What's at stake:The No. 2 seed and home-court advantage in the Western Conference semifinals.

Battling for guaranteed playoff spot

3.Los Angeles Lakers

Record:46-26 |Net rating:1.2 (14th)

• Magic number for No. 3 seed: 8

• Remaining schedule: @IND, BKN, WAS, CLE, @OKC, @DAL, OKC, @GSW, PHX, UTA

• Highest possible finish: No. 2 seed

• Lowest possible finish: No. 8 seed

What's at stake:The No. 3 seed and home-court advantage in the first round.

4.Denver Nuggets

Record:45-28 |Net rating:4.4 (7th)

• Magic number for No. 4 seed: 9

• Remaining schedule: DAL, UTA, GSW, @UTA, SAS, POR, MEM, OKC, @SAS

• Highest possible finish: No. 2 seed

• Lowest possible finish: No. 8 seed

What's at stake:The No. 4 seed and home-court advantage in the first round.

5.Minnesota Timberwolves

Record:44-28 |Net rating:3.6 (10th)

• Magic number for No. 5 seed: 10

• Remaining schedule: HOU, DET, @DAL, @DET, @PHI, CHA, @IND, @ORL, @HOU, NOP

• Highest possible finish: No. 2 seed

• Lowest possible finish: No. 9 seed

What's at stake:The No. 4 seed and home-court advantage in the first round.

6.Houston Rockets

Record:43-28 |Net rating:4.0 (9th)

• Magic number for No. 6 seed: 7

• Remaining schedule: @MIN, @MEM, @NOP, NYK, MIL, UTA, @GSW, @PHX, PHI, MIN, MIN

• Highest possible finish: No. 3 seed

• Lowest possible finish: No. 10 seed

What's at stake:The No. 4 seed and home-court advantage in the first round.

7.Phoenix Suns

Record:40-33 |Net rating:1.0 (15th)

• Magic number for No. 7 seed: 7

• Remaining schedule: UTA, @MEM, @ORL, @CHA, @CHI, HOU, DAL, @LAL, @OKC

• Highest possible finish: No. 3 seed

• Lowest possible finish: No. 10 seed

What's at stake:The No. 7 seed and home-court advantage against the No. 8 seed in their opening game of the play-in tournament.

8.Los Angeles Clippers

Record:36-36 |Net rating:1.0 (16th)

• Magic number for No. 8 seed: 9

• Remaining schedule: TOR, @IND, @MIL, POR, SAS, @SAC, DAL, OKC, @POR, GSW

• Highest possible finish: No. 3 seed

• Lowest possible finish: No. 10 seed

What's at stake:The No. 8 seed and two chances to secure a playoff berth.

9.Portland Trail Blazers

• Magic number for No. 9 seed: 9

• Remaining schedule: MIL, DAL, WAS, @LAC, NOP, @DEN, @SAS, LAC, SAC

• Highest possible finish: No. 5 seed

• Lowest possible finish: No. 10 seed

What's at stake:The No. 8 seed and two chances to secure a playoff berth.

10.Golden State Warriors

• Magic number for No. 10 seed: 3

• Remaining schedule: @DAL, BKN, WAS, @DEN, SAS, CLE, HOU, SAC, LAL, @SAC, @LAC

• Highest possible finish: No. 6 seed

• Lowest possible finish: Out of the postseason

What's at stake:The No. 10 seed and a berth in the play-in tournament.

Still technically alive

12.Memphis Grizzlies

Record:24-47 |Net rating:-3.8 (22nd)

What's at stake:Lottery odds!

Wednesday's games of consequence (all times Eastern)

• Lakers at Pacers, 7 p.m.

• Thunder at Celtics, 7:30 p.m.

• Spurs at Grizzlies, 8 p.m.
  MEM is eliminated from postseason contention with a loss or a GSW win

• Rockets at Timberwolves, 9:30 p.m.

• Mavericks at Nuggets, 10 p.m.

• Nets at Warriors, 10 p.m.
  GSW is locked into the play-in tournament with a loss, a MEM loss and a HOU win

• Bucks at Blazers, 10 p.m.

• Raptors at Clippers, 10:30 p.m.

byAnio Baumeister

in

March 25, 2026

NBA playoff picture: All of the scenarios and stakes for postseason contenders down the stretch run

The NBA playoff picture will come into clearer view each day between now and the end of the regular season on April 12. ...

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March Madness: Here's one thing you need to know about each of the 16 teams remaining in men's field

Florida isn't around to defend its title anymore, but all the other top seeds in this year's NCAA Tournament are still around.

NCAA Kentucky Iowa St Basketball

And many of them are winning convincingly.

In the first week of the NCAA Tournament, games were decided by an average of 15.3 points. According to Sportradar, that represents the third-highest average margin of victory through the round of 32 since 1985, when the tournament expanded to 64 teams before eventually getting to its current 68-team format.

The only NCAA Tournaments with higher average victory margin since then came in 1993 (16.1) and 2024 (15.4).

Florida, whichlost to Iowa 73-72on Sunday, is the only team seeded No. 1 or No. 2 that didn't get to the Sweet 16. As the tournament prepares to enter its second week, here's a statistic worth noting for each of the remaining 16 teams.

West

Purdue: The Boilermakers are shooting an NCAA Tournament-leading 57.9% (22 of 38) from 3-point range through the first two rounds. In its79-69 winover Miami on Sunday, Purdue became the fourth team ever to shoot at least 50% overall, 50% from 3-point range and 95% from the free-throw line in an NCAA Tournament game. The others were Syracuse vs. Montana State in 1996, Marquette vs. Missouri in 2003 and UConn vs. N.C. State in 2022. Next up for Purdue is Texas, a First Four team which has allowed its three NCAA Tournament foes to make just 25.9% of their 3-point attempts.

Texas: Dailyn Swain had five turnovers and just four assists in aFirst Four victoryover N.C. State, but he has totaled 12 assists and one turnover in the two games since.

Arizona: The Wildcats have an NCAA Tournament-leading plus-24.5 rebound margin through their first two games. That statistic's importance is evident from the fact that six of the top eight Division I teams in rebound margin heading into the NCAA Tournament are still alive: Tennessee, Michigan State, Duke, Arizona, Illinois and Michigan. The two exceptions both made the NCAA Tournament but lost in the opening weekend: Florida and Saint Mary's.

Arkansas: Darius Acuff's 60 points are the most by a freshman in the first two rounds of any NCAA Tournament. Nobody else still playing has scored that many points in this NCAA Tournament. Acuff has joined Chris Paul (in 2004 with Wake Forest) and Derrick Rose (in 2008 with Memphis) as the only freshmen to have multiple NCAA Tournament games with at least 20 points and five assists.

South

Nebraska: Although Nebraska had never won an NCAA Tournament game before last week, Florida's loss to Iowa means the Cornhuskers now have the longest postseason win streak (not counting conference tournaments) of any team left in the field. Nebraska won four straight games over Arizona State, Georgetown, Boise State and Central Florida to win the College Basketball Crown last year in Las Vegas.

Iowa: This will be the third time Iowa and Nebraska have faced off this season. The home team won the two previous meetings — a57-52 Iowa triumphon Feb. 17 and an84-75 Nebraska overtime victoryon March 8. Iowa must take better care of the basketball this time. Iowa totaled 22 assists and 31 turnovers in those two previous meetings with the Cornhuskers.

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Houston: The Cougars are in the Sweet 16 for a seventh consecutive time, which represents the longest active streak of any school. Houston still has a way to go to match North Carolina's record of 13 straight Sweet 16 appearances from 1981-93. Sweet 16 records began in 1975, the first year all teams were required to win at least one game to get to that round.

Illinois: Tomislav Ivisic had 14 points and 11 rebounds in a second-roundwin over VCU,giving him two double-doubles in four career NCAA Tournament games. The 7-foot-1 center from Croatia also can score from long range. His 101 3-pointers over the last two seasons are the most by any 7-footer during that stretch.

East

Duke: Cameron Boozer is the first Duke player to have double-doubles in each of his first two NCAA Tournament games since Gene Banks and Mike Gminski accomplished the feat in Duke's 1978 Final Four season. Banks had four straight double-doubles and Gminski had three in a row that year. Boozer is averaging 20.5 points and 12 rebounds in the NCAA Tournament.

St. John's: The Red Storm trailed for only 38 seconds in their67-65 second-round victoryover Kansas, though they needed a layup from Dylan Darling to break a tie at the buzzer. Before that, they had gone four straight games without ever falling behind.

UConn: Alex Karaban already owns program records for career wins (123), starts (146) and games played (147). The 6-foot-8, fifth-year senior is playing his best as his college career draws to a close. Karaban scored a career-high 27 points in a73-57 winover UCLA on Sunday. The 49 points he has scored thus far in the NCAA Tournament represent the most he's ever compiled in a two-game stretch.

Michigan State: Jeremy Fears' 16 assists in a77-69 winover Louisville represented the highest NCAA Tournament single-game total in Michigan State history, breaking the record Magic Johnson set by dishing out 14 assists against Western Kentucky in 1978. He has 13.5 assists per game in the NCAA Tournament — four more than any other player in the 68-team field.

Midwest

Michigan: The Wolverines have displayed a knack for winning close games since Dusty May arrived as coach last season. Michigan is 20-5 in games decided by four points or fewer over the last two seasons. That includes a 7-1 mark this year.

Alabama: The Crimson Tide's 436 3-point baskets this season represents the fifth-highest single-season total in NCAA Division I history. Villanova holds the record with 464 in its 2018 championship season.

Iowa State: Tamin Lipsey is coming off a 26-point, 10-assist performanceagainst Kentucky,and he also has four steals per game in the NCAA Tournament to lead all Sweet 16 performers. Next up is a matchup with Tennessee's Ja'Kobi Gillespie, who has averaged 25 points and 7.5 assists through the first two rounds of this tournament.

Tennessee: The Vols have advanced by producing stretches of defensive dominance in each of their first two NCAA Tournament games. Miami (Ohio) went nearly 6½ minutes without a basket in its78-56 lossto Tennessee. Virginia went over 5½ minutes without scoring in its79-72 defeatSunday. The Vols now face an Iowa State team that scored 108 points in the first round and 82 in the second.

AP March Madness bracket:https://apnews.com/hub/ncaa-mens-bracketand coverage:https://apnews.com/hub/march-madness

byAnio Baumeister

in

March 25, 2026

March Madness: Here's one thing you need to know about each of the 16 teams remaining in men's field

Florida isn't around to defend its title anymore, but all the other top seeds in this year's NCAA Tournament are...

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Savannah Guthrie says family is 'in agony' in first interview since her mother's disappearance

"TODAY" co-host Savannah Guthrie has opened up about theongoing searchfor her mother, detailing the "agony" her family is going through more than seven weeks after her disappearance from her home in Arizona.

"Someone needs to do the right thing. We are in agony. We are in agony. It is unbearable," Savannah Guthrie told Hoda Kotb in an interview previewed Wednesday that will be broadcast throughout the week.

Nancy Guthrie, 84, was reported missing by her family Feb. 1 from her home near Tucson, Arizona, after failing to attend a virtual church service at a friend's house, authorities said. She was last seen the night before, around 9:45 p.m., after having dinner at her daughter Annie Guthrie's home.

Watch Savannah Guthrie's interview Wednesday, Thursday and Friday on "TODAY."

Authorities have described the case as a possible kidnapping or abduction, but clues have been scarce.

"And to think of what she went through. I wake up every night in the middle of the night, every night," Savannah Guthrie said. "And in the darkness, I imagine her terror. And it is unthinkable, but those thoughts demand to be thought. And I will not hide my face. But she needs to come home now."

More on the case

• Guthrie family's faith and resilience

• What we know about the search

• Family offering a $1 million reward

• Guthrie family thanks Tucson, asks people not to forget mother's case

• Investigators question neighbors about any internet issues on the night Guthrie disappeared

Days after their mother disappeared, Savannah Guthrie — flanked by her sister and her brother, Camron Guthrie — posted a tearful video on Instagram begging for more information from their mother's possible kidnapper and saying her family is "ready to talk."

In the video, the siblings also thanked the public for "the prayers for our beloved mom."

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"We feel them, and we continue to believe that she feels them, too," they said.

Amid the ongoing search that includes both state and federal agencies, authorities released video of a person whom they have described as a suspect, showing a masked, armed figure appearing to tamper with a security camera on Guthrie's Tucson-area home.

The FBI has said it is looking for a male who is 5 feet, 9 inches to 5 feet, 10 inches tall, with an average build. In the doorbell camera images, he was wearing a black Ozark Trail Hiker Pack 25-liter backpack.

That doorbell camera disconnected at 1.47 a.m. Feb. 1, according to a timeline previously released by the Pima County Sheriff's Department.

Forensic testing showed that Guthrie's blood was found on the porch of her home, authorities have said. Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos has said that investigators may use genetic genealogy to try and identify the source of unknown DNA recovered from inside the house.

The Guthrie family has offered a $1 million reward for her recovery. Separately, the FBI has offered a reward of $50,000 for information leading to her recovery or to the arrest and conviction of anyone involved in her disappearance.

Earlier this month, Savannah Guthrie, who has been on leave from her position at the "TODAY" show,visited the studio in New York Cityand said she plans to return to her post.

"While she plans to return to the show on air, she remains focused right now supporting her family and working to help bring Nancy home," a spokesperson for the show said in a statement.

byAnio Baumeister

in

March 25, 2026

Savannah Guthrie says family is 'in agony' in first interview since her mother's disappearance

"TODAY" co-host Savannah Guthrie has opened up about theongoing searchfor her mother, detailing the "agon...

Read More

San Francisco Restaurant Faces Backlash After Image Surfaces of Raw Meat Left Outside During Heatwave

Popular San Francisco burger restaurant Hamburger Project is currently a topic of Internet debate after a photo posted on Reddit showed raw meat on the ground outside the restaurant

NEED TO KNOW

• The restaurant blamed a negligent delivery driver in an Instagram post

• Former head chef Geoffrey Lee also posted on Instagram about the incident, despite his removal from his role at Hamburger Project last year after a dispute with an influencer

A San Francisco hamburger joint is facing online backlash after aphotoon Reddit showed a raw meat delivery sitting on the ground outside the establishment.

Hamburger Project, a popular restaurant in San Francisco, was called into question after a Reddit user posted a photo of rolls of raw meat sitting on the pavement outside the seemingly closed restaurant. The photo also shows a jar of mayonnaise next to the meat.

The Reddit post now has over 3,700 upvotes and over 500 comments.

"Eating there is gonna land you in the Mayo Clinic," one user wrote.

"Why? The label specifically says GROUND beef," another replied jokingly.

The original poster alleged in a reply that the meat was "outside for an hour." They said the meat was gone when they went back.

Hamburger Project replied to the online debate in an Instagrampostand confirmed that the meat was left outside.

The restaurant wrote that the meat was left out because of a "delivery driver leaving the product unattended after being unable to access the restaurant—something we would never authorize or accept."

The post said that staff immediately disposed of the product after finding it outside because it was "obviously compromised by being on the ground, without proper temperature control."

"We take food safety extremely seriously and have already updated our delivery procedures to ensure this does not happen again," the post said.

They included an image of messages allegedly from the delivery driver, who said, "Hiiiiiii. I don't have time" before sending a photo of the meat and mayonnaise on the ground. At the bottom of the text exchange, a message said "this order is complete."

Hamburger Project did not immediately reply to PEOPLE's request for comment.

The account shared anotherpostfrom Geoffrey Lee, the former head chef of Hamburger Project, sharing his take on the matter.

"Like many of you, I find it unacceptable," he said. "It reflects a clear failure in the delivery process and does not align with the standards I believe in or uphold."

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He clarified that he is not involved in the day-to-day operations of the restaurant after his "public and abrupt removal" by Hamburger Project partner Tan Truong.

As Lee alluded, this isn't the first time he and Hamburger Project havefaced Internet backlash.

In 2025, influencerKat Ensignreviewed Hamburger Project on TikTok, calling their single "Wisconsin" butter burger "good not great."

"These are thin burgers, they're giving Ozempic burger," she said, rating the burger a 7.2.

She later posted afollow-upwith a screenshotted response from Lee.

"Because someone needs to tell you to grow up," the message read. "It's pathetic being damn near 50 and trying to have influence over 20 year old somethings to try to remain some kind of sense of relativity. All of chefs look down on it and one of us has to tell you."

Many commenters took issue with Lee's messages.

"OMG for a business owner to say things like that?! That's wild," one person wrote.

TheSan Francisco Standardreported that Lee stepped down from Hamburger Project and his two other restaurants following the dispute.

Lee posted on Instagram in a now-deleted post addressing the conflict.

"After a few days of reflection, I would like to express remorse for how I conducted myself in the ordeal with Ms. Ensign," he wrote. "There are no excuses to be made, I took it further than it needed to be. I am sorry."

"Creating food and taking the risk to share it with others is something I am passionate about," he wrote. "After decades of dedication, seemingly non-stop work, and being consistently criticized for it without ask, I will utilize this time away to assess a better way to go about it."

In a statement to PEOPLE, Ensign said, "This experience has been challenging, especially knowing it resulted in the owner losing his job. That was never my intention, and it's been upsetting for everyone involved. I simply want to move past this and focus on my own work moving forward."

Read the original article onPeople

byAnio Baumeister

in

March 25, 2026

San Francisco Restaurant Faces Backlash After Image Surfaces of Raw Meat Left Outside During Heatwave

Popular San Francisco burger restaurant Hamburger Project is currently a topic of Internet debate after a photo posted o...

Read More

“Little House on the Prairie” Cast: Where Are They Now?

On March 30, 1974, the pilot episode ofLittle House on the Prairiepremiered, showcasing the lives of people in the American Midwest in the late 1800s. Adapted from Laura Ingalls Wilder's beloved books, this series captivated viewers with over 200 episodes over nine seasons, plus three TV movies.

The show's lasting charm lies in the ensemble cast who brought the characters of Walnut Grove to life. From the unwavering wisdom ofMichael Landon's Charles "Pa" Ingalls toMelissa Gilbert's endearing portrayal of Laura, each actor contributed to the show's legacy.

While some of its stars had long careers in Hollywood after the series wrapped, others returned to their theater roots or walked away from showbusiness altogether.

Related:Little House on the Prairie's Melissa Gilbert Says Show Still Reflects the 'Juicy Things' People 'Crave' (Exclusive)

Below, see what the cast ofLittle House on the Prairiehas been up to.

Melissa Gilbert as Laura Ingalls Wilder

Melissa Gilbert started acting at a young age and was cast as Laura Ingalls Wilder at 9 years old. She starred on the show for 10 years and her performance earned her a Golden Globe nomination.

"I have to say with 100 percent conviction that one of the greatest gifts of my life was being cast onLittle House on the Prairie," Gilbert said in a 2022 interview withYahoo! Entertainment. "I got to grow up on a set with an incredible cast and crew. Everyone there is like a second family to me."

During her time onLittle House, Gilbert also appeared in two TV movies:The Miracle Workerin 1979 andThe Diary of Anne Frankin 1980. In 1985, at 21 years old, she became the youngest actress to receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. She continued acting, appearing in over 40 made-for-TV movies.

From 2001 to 2005, she served as the president of the Screen Actors Guild (SAG), the third woman to hold this position. She has authored four books, includingPrairie Talein 2009,My Prairie Cookbookin 2014 and 2022'sBack to the Prairie: A Home Remade, A Life Rediscovered.

Gilbert was married to Bo Brinkman from 1988 to 1994 and had her first son, Dakota, in 1989. She then married Bruce Boxleitner in 1995 and had her second son, Michael, named after Landon. However, they divorced in 2011. In 2013, she married Timothy Busfield and moved away from Hollywood to Michigan and later to the Catskills in New York. She is also the co-founder ofModern Prairie, a lifestyle company for older women.

On Jan. 13, 2026,Busfield surrendered to authorities, four days after a warrant was released for his arrest.The West Wingactor was charged with two counts of criminal sexual contact of a minor and one count of child abuse. He denied the claims against him.

The same day, a rep for Gilbertissued a statementon her behalf revealing she is standing by her husband.

"Melissa Gilbert is not making public statements at this time. Any purported 'statements' circulating online — including AI-generated deepfakes of her 'breaking her silence' — should not be treated as coming from her," the statement began.

"She is honoring the request of Tim's lawyers not to speak publicly while the legal process unfolds," the statement continued. "During this period, her focus is on supporting and caring for their very large family, as they navigate this moment. Melissa stands with and supports her husband and will address the public at an appropriate time. We ask that their privacy be respected."

Hewas releasedfrom Metropolitan Detention Center in Bernalillo County, N.M., on Tuesday, Jan. 20 and a trial date has been set forMay 2027.

Related:Melissa Gilbert and Timothy Busfield's Relationship Timeline

Michael Landon as Charles "Pa" Ingalls

Michael Landon, born Eugene Maurice Orowitz, was already a well-known star when he joinedLittle House on the Prairie, with notable roles inI Was a Teenage WerewolfandBonanza. Landon not only played Charles, the head of the Ingalls family but also wrote, directed and produced the show.

AfterLittle House on the Prairie, he was an actor and executive producer onHighway to Heaven. He played Jonathan Smith, a probationary angel sent to help people on Earth. The show ran for five seasons and reunited Landon with familiar faces fromLittle House, including Victor French, Richard Bull, Matthew Labyorteaux andShannen Doherty.

In April of 1991, Landon announced that he'd been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. Shortly after, he toldLIFE, "Death's gonna have to do a lot of fighting to get me." He died on July 1 of that year at the age of 54.

Landon had three marriages andnine children. His first marriage was to Dodie Levy-Fraser in 1956, and they had two children: Mark and Josh. They divorced in 1962. Landon then married Marjorie Lynn Noe in 1963 and had five children: Cheryl, Leslie, Michael Jr., Shawna and Christopher. They divorced in 1982. In 1983, Landon married Cindy Clerico, a makeup artist onLittle House on the Prairie, and they had two more children: Jennifer and Sean.

Karen Grassle as Caroline "Ma" Ingalls

Karen Grassle, born on Feb. 25, 1942, was a successful stage actor before becoming Caroline, the matriarch of the Ingalls family, inLittle House on the Prairie. In 1982, Grassle leftLittle House on the Prairie, a year before the series ended. She later detailed her"up and down" relationship with costar Landonon set.

"When I came on the pilot, he was extremely kind and sensitive and a good director and really gave me a chance to find my legs because [TV] was a new medium for me," she told PEOPLE.

"So I have to say it started out really, really great. It didn't stay great," she added, referring to the tension that grew after she asked for a pay raise for season 2. She later reconnected with Landon and reconciled before he died in 1991. "Mike and I ended on a positive note and I was so, so glad for that," she said.

After leading a theater company in Santa Fe, New Mexico, she joined the Actors Theatre of Louisville in Kentucky. She also appeared on TV shows likeMurder, She WroteandHoteland played Mrs. Sutherland in the 1994 movieWyatt Earp.

In 2021, she published a memoir titledBright Lights, Prairie Dustchronicling her life outside of the show.

Melissa Sue Anderson as Mary Ingalls

Melissa Sue Anderson played Mary Ingalls onLittle House on the Prairiefrom seasons 1 through 7. She later returned for three episodes in season 8.

During her time onLittle House, she was nominated for an Emmy. She also made her feature film debut in the 1981 horrorHappy Birthday to Me. She has since appeared in various movies and TV shows, includingThe Con Is OnwithUma Thurmanin 2018.

Anderson wrote a memoir,The Way I See It: A Look Back at My Life on Little House, released in 2010. In it, she shared behind-the-scenes stories from her time as Mary Ingalls and covered her career before and afterLittle House on the Prairie.

She married writer and executive producer Michael Sloan in 1990 after meeting him on the set ofAlfred Hitchcock Presents. They have two children, Piper and Griffin. In 2002, they moved to Montreal, Canada, and became Canadian citizens in 2007.

In December 2025, Anderson had fans buzzing after reuniting with onscreen sister, Mellisa Gilbert. Though they played sisters in the show, they both admitted they were distant in real life.

"I'm so happy to have Melissa Anderson back in my life. We share such an important history that no one else on earth truly understands,"Gilbert wrote in part. "Just us Ingalls girls. The best part is, the past is now just that and we can move forward as the sisters/friends we always wanted to be. What a wonderful Christmas gift."

Alison Arngrim as Nellie Oleson

Alison Arngrim played Nellie Oleson, a bully and main rival of Laura Ingalls. Initially auditioning for Laura and Mary, she ultimately played Nellie for seven seasons.

AfterLittle House on the Prairie, Arngrim guest starred onThe Love BoatandFantasy Island. She continues to pursue acting on TV and stage. Her solo show,Confessions of a Prairie Bitch, premiered in New York in 2002 and has toured globally. In 2023, she mounted a new production of the play during the SAG-AFTRA strike.

Arngrim is also an author, stand-up comic, podcaster and cooking show host. Her memoir,Confessions of a Prairie Bitch: How I Survived Nellie Oleson and Learned to Love Being Hated, was released in 2010.

Rachel Lindsay and Sidney Greenbush as Carrie Ingalls

Sisters Rachel Lindsay and Sidney Greenbush portrayed Carrie Ingalls onLittle Houseand were credited as "Lindsay Sidney Greenbush" in the show's opening.

After their final episode in 1982, Rachel Lindsay appeared inMatt Houston, while Sidney starred in the dramedyHambone and Hillie. They also collaborated on commercials for Doublemint gum, Mattel and Kentucky Fried Chicken before leaving acting to focus on school.

Rachel Lindsay met her husband, Danny Sanchez, on theLittle House on the Prairieset. He lived nearby and would sneak onto the set to hang out with the rest of the cast and crew. In aHallmark Home & Familyreunion special, she told the story of how they first met and then reconnected 30 years later. In 2014, they married under the tree where they met for the first time.

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Matthew Labyorteaux as Albert Quinn Ingalls

Matthew Labyorteaux first appeared onLittle House on the Prairiein 1976 as a younger Charles Ingalls in flashbacks. He later joined the cast as Albert, the adopted son of Charles and Caroline, a character created for the series. Labyorteaux's brother also appeared as Laura's friend, Andrew "Andy" Garvey.

In an interview withPop Culture Retro, Labyorteaux looked back at being cast in the series. "Little House on the Prairie, at the time ... everybody wanted to work on it, they wanted to work with Landon, they knew it was such a family crew and cast, and it was something that everyone strove to work towards. I just got very lucky," he said.

FollowingLittle House, he guest starred onThe Love BoatandNight Court. He also starred in two short-lived TV series,The Red Hand GangandWhiz Kids. In the mid-1990s, he transitioned to voice acting for animated series and video games, including providing the English voice for Jaden Yuki inYu-Gi-Oh! GX.

Labyorteaux married his wife, Leslie, in 2020 and is stepfather to her two children.

Jonathan Gilbert as Willie Oleson

Jonathan Gilbert, the younger brother of Melissa Gilbert, played Willie Oleson, Nellie's brother, in his first acting job. He appeared in all seasons ofLittle House on the Prairieand two of the TV movies. He also acted with his sister in the 1979 made-for-TV movieThe Miracle Worker.

Gilbert left Hollywood at 18 to attend business school and now works as a stockbroker in New York, according to his sister's memoir.

Related:The Gilbert Siblings: All About Melissa, Sara and Jonathan

Katherine MacGregor as Harriet Oleson

Katherine "Scottie" MacGregor, born Dorlee Deane MacGregor, played Harriet Olesen, Walnut Grove troublemaker and gossip — and mother to Nellie and Willie — from 1974 to 1983.

Prior to the show, she appeared in popular series likeAll in the FamilyandIronside. AfterLittle House on the Prairie, she returned to theater and mentored young actors before retiring in the early 2000s.

MacGregor died in 2018 at the age of 93. Gilbert shared a tribute onInstagram, writing, "This woman taught me so much… about acting… vintage jewelry…life. She was outspoken and hilariously funny. A truly gifted actress as she was able to play a despicable character but with so much heart. Her Harriet Oleson was the woman our fans loved to hate."

She added, "The thing people outside of our prairie family didn't know, was how loving and nurturing she was with the younger cast."

Richard Bull as Nels Oleson

Richard Bull played Nels Oleson, husband of Harriet and father of Nellie and Willie, from 1974 to 1984.

A character actor with over 100 credits, he was the Doctor onVoyage to the Bottom of the Seafrom 1964 to 1968. He later returned to guest roles, includingER,Hill Street Bluesand three episodes ofHighway to Heaven, which reunited him with Landon. His final TV credit was in a 2011 episode of the Kelsey Grammer series,Boss.

Bull died in 2014 at 89.

Victor French as Isaiah Edwards

Victor French portrayed Isaiah Edwards inLittle House on the Prairie, a mountain man who later settled in Walnut Grove. French appeared in over 50 episodes and all three TV movies. He also directed 18 episodes and the filmsLittle House: Look Back to YesterdayandLittle House: Bless All the Dear Children.

The son of actor Ted French, he gained recognition as an actor and stuntman in TV and film westerns likeGunsmokeandBonanza. In his final role, he reunited with Landon onHighway to Heaven. For five seasons, he starred as Mark Gordon, a retired police officer, and also directed 12 episodes.

French died on June 15, 1989, at 54, three months following a lung cancer diagnosis.

Kevin Hagen as Dr. Hiram "Doc" Baker

Kevin Hagen joinedLittle House on the Prairiein 1974 as Walnut Grove's town doctor and veterinarian Dr. Hiram "Doc" Baker

AfterLittle House on the Prairie, he appeared on shows likeGeneral HospitalandMatlock.Hagen starred in the one-man show,A Playful Dose of Prairie Wisdom, based on Doc Baker.

He was diagnosed with esophageal cancer in 2004 anddied on July 9, 2005.

Dean Butler as Almanzo James Wilder

Dean Butlerportrayed the character Almanzo Wilder, who later married Laura. Almanzo, lovingly called "Manly" by Laura, also attracted the attention of Nellie Oleson and other young ladies in Walnut Grove.

Butler has appeared in multiple TV shows, includingThe New Gidgetas Jeff 'Moondoggie' Griffin andBuffy the Vampire Slayeras Hank Summers, Buffy's dad. On stage, he starred as Rapunzel's Prince in the original Broadway production ofInto the Woods.

A director and producer, Butler created bonus features for theLittle House on the PrairieDVD collections and narrated a six-part documentary,The Little House Phenomenon. He also produced two documentaries,Little House on the Prairie: The Legacy of Laura Ingalls WilderandAlmanzo Wilder: Life Before Laura.

Butler married actress Katherine Cannon in 2021. They first met in the 1980s when Cannon auditioned for Landon's seriesFather Murphy. She is best known for playing Felice, Donna Martin's mother, onBeverly Hills, 90210.

Jason Bateman as James Cooper Ingalls

Jason Batemanjoined the cast ofLittle House on the Prairieat age 12. He portrayed James Cooper Ingalls, the second adopted son of Caroline and Charles.

Bateman's career grew in the 1980s with sitcoms likeSilver Spoons,It's Your Move, andThe Hogan Family. He also starred in the film Teen Wolf, Too. In 2003, he landed the role of Michael Bluth onArrested Development, earning two Emmy nominations. He has also ventured into drama, starring as Marty Byrde on the crime dramaOzarkand directing nine episodes. In 2019, he won an Emmy Award for Outstanding Directing for a Drama Series for his work on the episode "Reparations."

Bateman has been married to Amanda Anka, daughter of crooner Paul Anka, since 2001.They have two daughters, Francesca Nora and Maple Sylvie.

Shannen Doherty as Jenny Wilder

Shannen Dohertywas cast as Jenny Wilder, Laura and Almanzo's niece, in 1983.

Doherty went on to star inOur HouseandHeathersbefore landing the role of Brenda Walsh inBeverly Hills, 90210. Doherty later starred in the Kevin Smith filmMallratsand the TV seriesCharmed.

In 2023, the actor and director launchedLet's Be Clear with Shannen Doherty, a podcast that reflects on her life and career. "I wanted to be clear about what it was like for me to work with Michael Landon onLittle House, what it was like to work with Wilford Brimley onOur House, to talk about the90210days. What was it like to be on the cover ofRolling Stonemagazine when you're in your early twenties?CharmedtoHeathersandMallrats," she told PEOPLE.

Doherty openly shared her experience of living with breast cancer following her initial diagnosis in 2015. She spoke with PEOPLE in a November 2023 cover story, revealing that the Stage 4 cancer had spread to her bones. "I'm not done with living. I'm not done with loving. I'm not done with creating. I'm not done with hopefully changing things for the better," she said.

On July 13, 2024,the actress died at age 53.

Kyle Richards as Alicia Sanderson Edwards

Kyle Richardsjoined the cast ofLittle House on the Prairiein 1975, playing Alicia Edwards, the adopted daughter of Grace and Isaiah Edwards, for 18 episodes between seasons 2 and 8.

Other notable roles include Lindsey inHalloweenand Nurse Dori Kerns inER.  Since 2010, she's been a main cast member onThe Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, alongside her sisters,Kim Richards and Kathy Hilton.

Richards was married to Guraish Aldjufrie from 1988 to 1992. In 1996,she married Mauricio Umansky, a real estate agent in Los Angeles. They separated in 2023. She is a mom tofour daughters: Farrah, from her marriage to Aldjufrie, and Alexia, ​Sophia and Portia from her marriage to Umansky.

Read the original article onPeople

byAnio Baumeister

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