Double-thumbing

Any lede of the form "and then there were [n]" is presumptively a thumb lede, so there's one line you can save. But pause a moment on the second paragraph: yes, that's how this sort of tournament works. You could actually begin at the third paragraph with no damage to the integrity of the story -- the rare double-thumb lede.

Also time for the annual reminders: No "still dancing." No "sweet" or "elite" in headlines. And a particular point for this year: Basketball as a rule involves 10 players on the court at a time (five per side). In any game scheduled for this weekend, then, at least nine, and perhaps as many as 10, of the players on the court at any given time are not Zion Williamson. Please adjust all broadcast commentary accordingly.