Author: NBA Basketball News, Scores, Standings, Rumors, Fantasy Games

A playoff win streak of 13 games and a handful of miraculous moments played a part in the Knicks securing their third championship in franchise history and the first NBA title in 53 years. After the near two-month jaunt of playoff basketball, it’s fair to ask where this Knicks team ranks among the greatest squads in the franchise’s history. 

The Knicks had a really strong regular season, winning 53 games, and took home the NBA Cup championship.

Let’s look at where the 2025-26 team stacks up against the best Knicks squads past and present. Honorable mentions go to the 1998-99 team, which was the first No. 8 seed to advance to an NBA Finals, and the 60-win 1992-93 team.

Regular season record, playoff record, opponent strength, and memorable moments were all factors in these rankings.

Here are the top five Knicks teams ever…

No. 5: 1952-53

Going 47-23 during the regular season, the Knicks had the best record in the Eastern Division and the second-best mark out of 10 teams. New York was led by All-Stars and future Hall-of-Famers Carl Braun and Harry Gallatin. 

The Knicks swept the Baltimore Bullets in two games and beat the Boston Celtics 3-1 before dropping the final four games to the Minneapolis Lakers in a 4-1 NBA Finals loss. But the combined success in both the regular season and the playoffs gives this group a spot in the top five.

No. 4: 1993-94

After multiple years in the shadow of the Bulls, New York was an instant title favorite for 1994 when Michael Jordan announced his sudden retirement.

Bolstered by strong play from three All-Stars in Patrick Ewing, John Starks, and Charles Oakley, and a midseason trade for point guard Derek Harper, the Knicks finished tied for the third-best record in the NBA at 57-25.

After two seven-game series in the first three rounds, New York got to the NBA Finals for the first time in 21 years. Facing the Houston Rockets, the Knicks held a 3-2 series advantage after five games. But a game-saving block from Houston’s Hakeem Olajuwon on Starks — who was taking a potential title-clinching three-pointer — gave the Rockets Game 6 before Houston closed it out in Game 7.

No. 3: 2025-26

One of the most unique paths to an NBA championship belongs to the current Knicks roster. After a very good, but not great regular season that saw New York finish tied for the sixth-best record at 53-29, the club’s postseason run was remarkable.

New York went 16-3 on the way to the third championship in NBA Finals history. The club won 13 consecutive playoff games, the second-best playoff win streak in NBA history, and had the best point differential (plus-283) in a postseason of any team ever. New York’s three losses were by one, one and four points. New York won the NBA Finals 4-1 against a 62-20 San Antonio Spurs team. Though every game was close, NBA Finals MVP Jalen Brunson powered the Knicks to a title with 45 points in the clincher.

New York’s championship will be remembered for Brunson, the all-around play of All-Star center Karl-Anthony Towns and two-way wing OG Anunoby. A deep roster of role players including Josh Hart, Mikal Bridges and Mitchell Robinson and more contributed to the achievement.

You can also add an NBA Cup championship as extra credit to this season’s report card.

No. 2: 1969-70

New York’s first truly dominant team came in 1969. Led by Willis Reed and Walt Frazier, the Knicks won 23 of their first 24 games in the regular season on their way to setting a franchise record with an NBA-high 60 wins.

The playoffs saw the Knicks beat the Bullets 4-3 and the Milwaukee Bucks 4-1 before advancing to the NBA Finals. The Knicks needed seven games to defeat the 46-36 Los Angeles Lakers. 

Part of the reason for the long series was a torn thigh muscle Reed suffered in Game 5. He famously returned briefly for Game 7, and Frazier led the Knicks to a championship with a remarkable 36 points and 19 assists in the clincher.

No. 1: 1972-73

This Knicks team ranked third in offensive efficiency and fourth in defensive efficiency during the regular season. With a 57-25 record, the Knicks had the fourth-best record in the NBA.

The playoff run was of supreme quality. The Knicks had the top net rating (plus-4.9) in the playoffs, per Basketball Reference. After defeating the 52-win Bullets in five games, the highlight of this Knicks team’s run came in the Eastern Conference Finals against the 68-14 Celtics, when the Knicks won 94-78 at the Boston Garden in Game 7. New York then vanquished another 60-win juggernaut with a 4-1 NBA Finals win over the Lakers.

The Knicks' starting lineup was stacked. Its starting five of Frazier, Earl Monroe, Dave DeBusschere, Bill Bradley, and Reed is the last championship team to have all five starters make the Hall of Fame.

Final say

The title win has helped place this current Knicks squad in the top three of all-time teams, just a notch below the two championship teams in the 1970s. A factor in the decision was New York’s 53-29 record during the regular season. Also, the ‘70s teams were littered with Hall of Fame contributors.

Still, this current Knicks group had a great run and earned a place as one of the top teams in the franchise’s history.

 

There is optimism Mitchell Robinson will be ready to go for the Finals. 

He underwent surgery on his broken right pinky finger, league sources confirmed.

The hope is that he will be ready for Game 1 on Wednesday, though there is still no concrete timeline.

And still, it is uncertain how effective Robinson can be if he does play. 

Beyond Robinson, the Knicks lack depth at center behind Karl-Anthony Towns.

Ariel Hukporti would be the likely next option, but he played sparingly in the regular season and so far in the playoffs.

When Robinson missed Game 2 of the second round against the 76ers due to an illness, Hukporti played seven minutes and recorded two points and three rebounds while also picking up four fouls. 

The potential play Mitchell Robinson broke his right pinky.

He's expected to play Game 1.

Read more: https://t.co/VzwfQ07CGfpic.twitter.com/bQUQZQj0zj

— New York Post Sports (@nypostsports) May 29, 2026

Jeremy Sochan is theoretically another option, though he has been relegated to strictly garbage time minutes since the end of the regular season.

The Knicks could utilize small-ball lineups with OG Anunoby at the five, though that will be difficult against either the Thunder or Spurs, both of whom feature star bigs. 

If it’s the Spurs, in particular, that the Knicks face in the Finals, Robinson’s availability could be critical.

He was excellent when guarding Victor Wembanyama in the Knicks’ NBA Cup final triumph over the Spurs last December. Robinson spent more time matched up with Wembanyama than any other Knicks defender, per the league’s official tracking stats.

Wembanyama went 3-for-7 from the field and 0-for-2 from 3-point range when Robinson was his primary defender in that game. 

It’s been a bit of a roller-coaster postseason for Robinson.

His brutal free throw shooting – he is 13-for-43 (30.2 percent) from the line in the playoffs – has allowed opponents to utilize Hack-a-Mitch and force the Knicks to take him off the court. 

He is only averaging 14.2 minutes per game in the postseason, down from 19.6 minutes per game in the regular season. 

Regardless, the Knicks don’t have any replacement for his rebounding prowess and his versatile defense.

Talent or fit? It’s the age-old question, at least as far as the NBA Draft is concerned. And with Brayden Burries, a 6’4”, 215 lb combo guard out of Arizona, it raises itself again. Burries is talented, no doubt, but is he talented enough in a draft as deep as this for the Bucks to take him over players who better fit positional needs?

Burries quickly became Arizona’s go-to offensive option as a freshman this season, putting up 16.1 PPG, 4.9 RPG, 2.4 APG, and 1.5 SPG with impressive .491/.391/.805 shooting splits and just 1.5 TOPG, leading the Wildcats all the way to the Final Four. While he did struggle shooting in their loss to the Michigan Wolverines (4/16), the rest of his tournament run was impressive overall:

• 18 points and five boards against Long Island.
• 16 and nine against Utah State.
• 23 and five against Arkansas.
• 14 and six against Purdue.

Oh, and he did all that shooting a combined 22/38 (58%) from the field.

As an NBA player, Burries will make an excellent backcourt running mate next to just about anyone. He’s a physical defender with enough size and strength to guard both backcourt positions, is disruptive on the ball and in the passing lanes, and demonstrates genuine commitment to the defensive end, drawing comparisons to All-World defenders Jrue Holiday and Derrick White. While he still has a ways to go to reach those lofty heights, the potential is there.

Offensively, Burries’ versatility similarly holds him in good stead, as he possesses the tools to play both on and off the ball. Off-ball, Burries has value as a floor-spacer for others, using his shooting range to open up driving lanes. This same gravity also helps him attack close-outs to get inside the arc, where he’s adept at finishing in the midrange or with either hand at the rim. On ball, Burries is also a capable shot creator, able to get downhill through a quick first step and decisive dribble moves, and uses a variety of gathers—his low “sweep” gather stands out—to create space to finish at or around the rim.

Overall, while Burries has positional and skillset versatility, he’s not a “true” lead guard and lacks the explosive athleticism (aka flashy play) of some of the other top-end talent. His ceiling isn’t projected as high as some of his peers either, likely due to his lack of a singularly elite skill—though if these playoffs are a reminder of anything, it’s that there’s always a spot for players who are multidimensional, able to help a team win in a number of ways.

Burries touched on this himself in an NBA Draft Combine interview, stating that what separates him from the other guards in this class is his “competitiveness… [his] will to win, [his ability] to just guard one through four, [and his] impact on winning outside of scoring.” He also sees himself as “somebody that you want to play with” and cited Jamal Murray and Devin Booker as current NBA players he studies, seeing them as “big guards that can get to their spots… who can guard, impact winning… and can play on the ball, off the ball.”

All things considered, Burries would make a fitting partner next to Ryan Rollins in the Bucks’ backcourt, sharing ball-handling responsibilities while providing valuable shooting and defence. Their skillsets, though similar, would be complementary rather than duplicative—you can never have enough guards who can do multiple things. And should the Bucks bring back Kevin Porter Jr. too—which they must; Milwaukee can’t afford to let talent walk—they would make quite a talented backcourt triumvirate. So, in Burries’ case, it’s not a matter of talent or fit. It’s both.

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What do you make of Burries as a potential fit in Milwaukee? Does he form the backcourt of the future alongside Rollins, or is the thought of yet another ~6’4” guard enough to put you off? Add your thoughts in the comments and vote for who you’d take next in our draft.

Knicks center Mitchell Robinson had surgery earlier this week on his broken right pinky finger and will "push to play" when the NBA Finals start this coming Wednesday, reports SNY NBA Insider Ian Begley.

Shams Charania of ESPN adds that Robinson will wear a brace on his hand. 

The Knicks will head to either San Antonio or Oklahoma City for Game 1 of the Finals, with the winner of the Western Conference Finals between the Spurs and Thunder set to be decided in Game 7 on Sunday. 

Robinson has been a crucial part of the Knicks' playoff run. 

In the Eastern Conference Finals against the Cavaliers, Robinson provided key minutes, impacting the game with his signature defense and rebounding prowess. In the clinching Game 4, Robinson scored eight points on 4-of-6 shooting, grabbed 10 rebounds, and was a plus-14 on the court in his 18 minutes of play. 

One thing that has hampered Robinson and the Knicks this postseason is when opposing teams have used the "hack-a-Mitch" strategy to send him to the free-throw line.

Robinson went just 2-for-14 from the line against the Cavs after going 6-for-16 against the 76ers in the second round and 5-for-13 against the Hawks in the first round. 

"I know that Robinson will push to play. Just in having conversations with people over the last couple of hours," Begley reported Thursday night. "He will want to play; it's ultimately up to the Knicks' medical staff. A player's opinion does matter in these things and so he's going to want to be out there." 

If the Knicks face the Spurs, Robinson could be the physical, tall center to match up with Victor Wembanyama. If the Thunder advance, Robinson could be used alongside Karl-Anthony Towns to combat OKC's massive frontcourt of Chet Holmgren and Isaiah Hartenstein. 

Robinson, who will be an unrestricted free agent this offseason, averaged 5.7 points, 8.8 rebounds and 1.2 blocks across 60 games this season. The 60 games were the most Robinson has played in a season since he played 59 games in 2022-23.  

As someone who talks to, consumes, and is adjacent to a lot of Mavericks diehards and take artists, the overwhelming sentiment around Dallas’ drop in draft positioning is that it was a worst-case-scenario outcome. Whether it is a complaint about the process or a statement regarding the quality of players past the eighth pick, the opinions thrown at me are far from indifferent. And yet, here I am, a Mavericks blogger, season ticket holder, and fan for life, feeling completely removed from that group. In fact, I find myself a smidge on the other end where cautious excitement lives. Maybe the last 15 months have numbed my senses, but the Mavericks check a lot of boxes that make a lower draft pick an annoyance, not a hindrance. 

The hard part is done

The Mavericks won the lottery a year ago. They selected Cooper Flagg first overall in 2025, and the only thing clearer than the direction of the franchise is the speed at which the train is moving. Finding your version of Flagg is something that teams spend decades doing, and the Mavericks have been without a centerpiece for maybe three months in the last 28 years. If Dallas were constructed like Brooklyn or Washington or Utah, where they have a collection of young guys without the head of the snake, then dropping out of the top eight the way Dallas did may have been more agonizing. But if the Mavericks were in that position, meaning they hadn’t gotten Flagg last season, we may all be devoid of feelings anyway. 

The 9th pick cannot be bad if the draft is deep

As far back as last summer, draft scouts and experts alike have touted the 2026 draft as one of the deepest in recent memory. If that is true, then the 9th overall pick cannot simultaneously be a doomsday scenario. The question now turns to how well the Mavericks can assess talent, and, as our very own Matt Martinez highlighted, new General Manager Mike Schmitz has a very good track record at doing just that. 

Plenty of top 10 picks do not pan out. They can’t, or every team would be a superteam. 

There have been a number of gems between picks nine and 16 in recent years. In 2025, Cedric Coward was selected 11th, and Derik Queen 13th. The 2024 draft saw Matas Buzelis go 11th and Jared McCain 16th. Even in 2023, a similarly top-heavy draft, Cason Wallace, Dereck Lively II, and Keyonte George all went from 10 to 16. Jalen Williams, the number two option on the defending NBA Champion, went 12th in 2022. That was one pick before Jalen Duren, who was the starting center on a 60-win Detroit team. That is nine guys who went between 10th and 16th in the last four drafts that have all contributed to playoff teams or been standout rookies. There will be plenty of talent available to the Mavericks at nine; they just have to find it.

There are options

The thing about owning a pick is that you do not have to use it. Dallas is familiar with this sentiment, as they have just one of their own first-round picks after this year until 2032. So while it is true that the player of their dreams may fall to number nine, there are also a plethora of avenues they can explore if that doesn’t happen. Maybe the guy they really want is available at five, and the Clippers agree to trade back four spots to acquire one of the Mavericks’ veteran wings. Or maybe Dallas thinks their guy will be there later in the lottery, so they trade back to 12 with Oklahoma City and grab the 18th pick as well. 

The Mavericks aren’t in a bind to hit a home run at nine. They have flexibility with where they go. A dud would be bad, but getting on base is just fine. The draft never goes according to consensus, and the talents never perfectly align with projections. Dallas now has very smart people in its war room, and we have to trust that they’ll make the right play.

They didn’t sacrifice a winning culture

The loudest frustration I heard over the last few months was regarding the lack of conviction in Dallas’ process to tank. Intentionally losing was obviously a huge talking point this season, so much so that Adam Silver made fixing it the number one off-season priority. The flagrancy with which some teams tanked this year was shocking, and the Mavericks essentially doing it the “natural” way, by being organically bad, was highlighted in a way it may not normally have been.

The Mavericks made a decision to keep general manager Nico Harrison through the start of the year. As soon as that choice was made, there was never going to be a smooth ride. Dallas going all-in on a tank was only possible with a complete reset last summer, and the fact that they opted out of that doomed their chances from the start. They were 7-26 after February 1st! They were really bad after the decision to move on from the last year was made. Dallas was faced with an impossible situation, and, unsurprisingly, was a mess of an organization. 

They chose to play hard and try to win every night. Now, with a new coach on the way, those habits will carry over and should place them a step or two above where they would be had they made the call for a punt. Now, they can enter the draft with a clean conscience, a top franchise cornerstone, and a trust that the new regime will find the correct pieces to build with. 

The 2026 NBA Draft starts with the Washington Wizards, which means they hold all the cards surrounding the No. 1 pick.

If Washington stays put, it will have the first choice in what’s considered one of the most talented draft classes of the last decade. Should another team covet the top choice enough to make a compelling offer to move up, the Wizards can milk that team for several key assets while still drafting a talented prospect in the top three.

The last time a team traded the No. 1 pick was in 2017 when the Boston Celtics traded the top selection for the No. 3 pick and a future unprotected first-round pick. The Sixers selected Markelle Fultz at No. 1. The Celtics took Jayson Tatum at No. 3.

Highlighted below are three trades the Wizards could make surrounding the No. 1 pick.

Trade No. 1: Utah moves up for Dybantsa, Washington picks up a future FRP

Washington: 

No. 2 pick 

2029 unprotected first-round pick

Utah:

No. 1 pick

President of Monumental Basketball Michael Winger told Jake Fischer at the NBA Draft Lottery that the Wizards would consider trading down from the No. 1 pick, which sparked a bevy of trade rumors over the ensuing weeks. Winger’s comments, coupled with the obvious links between Utah and AJ Dybantsa, created speculation surrounding the draft’s top two picks.

The Jazz, who own the No. 2 pick, have long coveted Dybantsa, who spent his senior year of high school at Utah Prep before playing one season at BYU. He attended numerous Jazz games in courtside seats, which created a link between him and Utah’s owner, Ryan Smith, among other members of the organization.

It’s become increasingly likely that Dybantsa will be the No. 1 pick in the 2026 draft. The BYU product is currently -390, according to FanDuel Sportsbook, to be the No. 1 pick. And nearly every mock draft believes the 6-foot-10 forward will be the first player selected in June.

The only way the Jazz would make this offer is if they believe Dybantsa is the clear No. 1 prospect — miles ahead of both Darryn Peterson and Cameron Boozer — and thus warrants trading significant draft capital to move up one spot. If not, Utah is likely content to sit at No. 2 and take the best prospect available.

Likewise, Washington only makes this move if it believes the gap between Dybantsa and prospects like Peterson and Boozer isn’t that wide. If that’s the Wizards’ belief, they can move back one spot, acquire an additional first-round pick and still select the player they might’ve taken at No. 1.

Trade No. 2: Only if Washington believes Boozer is the top prospect

Washington:

No. 3

No. 32 (via Indiana)

2028 unprotected first-round pick

Memphis:

No. 1

No. 60 (via Oklahoma City)

Most draft experts believe Dybantsa should be the No. 1 pick. But none of those opinions matter inside the Wizards’ draft room, which will pinpoint its top prospect after individual predraft workouts, player meetings with front-office personnel and physical testing.

It’s possible Washington’s brass comes to the same conclusion as most and selects Dybantsa at No. 1. But it’s equally plausible for GM Will Dawkins and his staff to enter June 23 with Boozer as their top guy.

The Duke product won the 2026 Naismith Men’s College Basketball Player of the Year award after averaging 22.5 points, 10.2 rebounds and 4.1 assists per game. He shot an efficient 55.6% from the field and 39.1% from 3-point range as a bruising 6-foot-9 forward. And at 18 years old — he doesn’t turn 19 until July — Boozer is younger than both Dybantsa and Peterson.

Our Kevin Broom discussed why Boozer might be the perfect franchise player for Washington.

If the Memphis Grizzlies, who own the No. 3 pick, send significant draft capital to acquire the No. 1 pick, it’s almost certainly to select one of Peterson or Dybantsa. Several articles, including a story from The Athletic’s Tony Jones, have stated Utah will select whichever prospect — Peterson or Dybantsa — falls to No. 2. 

So if the Wizards truly believe Boozer is the best player, they can acquire a stockpile of assets from the Memphis Grizzlies and still select the Duke forward at No. 3.

Trade No. 3: Washington goes all in for a superstar

I should preface this trade by saying I doubt the Wizards trade the No. 1 pick for a package that doesn’t include either the No. 2 or No. 3 pick, nor do I think they should. But for the sake of this exercise, and amid swirling rumors of Giannis Antetokounmpo’s availability, here’s a trade Washington could make to go “all in” for a superstar.

Washington:
Giannis Antetokounmpo

Milwaukee:

No. 1 pick

Anthony Davis

Bub Carrington

2029 first-round pick (via Portland – second most favorable of Portland, Boston and Milwaukee)

The Bucks appear poised to deal their franchise star this summer. And after several trade deadlines and offseasons with palpable trade buzz yet no trade, Antetokounmpo’s return won’t be as grand as it would’ve been years ago.

Milwaukee would acquire Davis — an aging superstar they could relocate for additional draft capital — plus a young player with potential in Carrington. The real kicker, however, is the No. 1 pick in a draft class considered by many as having multiple projected stars. With this return, the Bucks could quickly move past Antetokounmpo and into a new era with Dybantsa or Peterson.

This move would vastly alter Washington’s competitive timeline and give it a real shot at competing in the Eastern Conference next season. While Dawkins has maintained the Wizards “won’t skip any steps” in their rebuilding process, a starting lineup of Trae Young, Bilal Coulibaly or Tre Johnson, Kyshawn George, Antetokounmpo and Alex Sarr is quite compelling.

Trading the top pick is a steep price to pay for a 31-year-old forward who’s played more than 70 games just once since the 2019-20 campaign. But if the Wizards can acquire a two-way superstar of Antetokounmpo’s caliber while not surrendering any of their own future draft capital or young talent apart from Carrington, it’s a move that should be considered.

Welcome to Inside the Suns, your weekly deep-down analysis of the current Phoenix Suns team. Each week, the Fantable — a round table of Bright Siders — gives their takes on the Suns’ latest issues and news.

Fantable Questions of the Week

Q1: If the Suns could trade their 2027 1st round pick (least favorable of Cleveland, Minnesota, and Utah) for a late 1st rounder in this year’s draft, would you do it?

Diamondhacks: Beyond 2026 being a “strong class”, my principal insight on drafts involves beer, so I’ll say “No” to a swap. Or to any transaction I have insufficient visibility into. I’d also recommend this hands-off approach to similarly challenged hoops fans. But if you’re addicted to this sort of thing, a recent prospect breakdown by Brynn-Tannehill might be a good place to start assessing the landscape.

Ashton: I think it is pretty safe to assume that Cleveland and Minnesota would be the least favorable picks that probably turn into a late first-rounder in 2027 anyways. By allowing a late first-round pick in the 2026 draft is the preferable option due to the strength of the draft. But I am not overly impressed with what the mocks are saying at the back-half of the draft. I am assuming this pick would fall somewhere between 26 and 30. If it is 20 and above, the better.

Also, I am writing this on Thursday, when the deadline to declare for the NBA draft closed Wednesday night. I now have a better idea of who is returning to college, and that resets the mock draft boards. The main takeaway is that there’s still good talent at those late round picks in the 2026 and 2027 drafts, looks a lot stronger with a boatload of 2026 second rounders opting back into college. The 2026 47th pick is not going to be worth Jack.

But like speculating on the draft, and it would be boring to just consider the 47th pick in June. So sign me up for more options in the heat of summer. Brynn Tannenhill can write an article about it.

But where does the money come from to sign a two-year guaranteed contract for a first-rounder for a team that is already toeing the repeater tax? Let’s say 3 million is added to payroll. By keeping the 2027 pick, the can is kicked down the road to reset the repeater tax clock and another incremental increase in salary cap. That gives MI a bit more flexibility in spending his hard-earned cash.

It is a tougher question than most would think.

Rod: If there’s someone there that they want this year and they can find a trade partner, even if they had to throw in the 47th 2nd rounder, I’d do it. I can’t see that 2027 pick ending up higher than maybe 24th/25th, and there’s no way of knowing if they might be able to get a better player next year if they wait. To me, that’s a relatively cheap deal and one I’d much rather make than trade away any of the few Suns’ 1st rounders that they still own. But, unless there’s someone there that they really want, there’s no valid reason to trade up to the 1st round.

Q2: Between the 1992-93 Suns and the 2004-05 Suns teams (both 62-20), which of the two do you think would perform best in today’s NBA?

Diamondhacks: Stylistically, D’Antoni’s squad more closely resembled a modern team, successfully pushing the volume three onto an unsuspecting league. But I suspect that advantage and breakneck pace wouldn’t flummox modern opponents quite the same. Because everyone defends (and shoots) the three better now, which might effectively ‘steal’ D’Antoni’s thunder.

Speaking of Thunder, Westphal’s team defended better and was probably a bit more balanced overall. They had more rebounds, blocks, a lot more steals and, perhaps most surprisingly, scored more points and dished more assists than the transformative MVP Steve iteration. So against modern competition, I’d lean towards 93.

Ashton: It must be summertime to consider this question. Look, I am probably the youngest poster on the Fantable (we all know it is not OldAz) and the 92-93 Suns have a special place in my heart. It is where I truly began to follow the Suns in earnest as a know-it-all 19-year-old and thus leading to my current sports watching addictions and streaming subscriptions.

What I wouldn’t give to see the 92-93 Suns in today’s NBA. But what this question should really ask is who is refereeing the game? And that is where NBA development has occurred. Flop fouls and foul baiting to get to the free-throw line. Barkley is not going to flop for anyone. Add that more three-point shooting and fewer post-ups would probably doom this team.

I think Steve Nash and his circus dribbling, passing, and shooting would win the league. Yes, that team had some fouling issues of their own, but in more of a more pace-and-space league, 7SOL would set the pace and not let the other teams defend in space.

Rod: I had a tough time making up my mind on this one. Both teams were great; my vote goes to the 1992-93 Suns. It was really close, though, as each had points that kept me going back and forth between them. Overall depth and defense were the final factors in my decision.

The 2004-05 team really didn’t have great bench depth and was 17th in defense while the 1992-93 team had a stronger bench and was 9th in D. Either of the starting lineups would probably play great in this era but, the faster pace of today’s game (and yes, today’s game is actually played at a faster pace than the 2004-05 7SOL team played at) just favors teams with deeper rosters.

Q3: If you could magically add either Charles Barkley or Amar’e Stoudemire in their primes to the current Suns roster, which would you choose?

Diamondhacks: By most standards, Barkley’s prime (way back in Philadelphia) was a little more robust, but also twenty years earlier than Amare’s, and the league evolved a great deal in that interim. That’s the first conundrum of any magical teleportation. Were Chuck’s stats better because he was definitively the better player, or because the average NBA player wasn’t quite as advanced back when he played? I think it’s clearly some of the latter and less clearly some of the former.

In any case, we’re talking about the most serious interior ass kickers in Suns history. Chuck’s passing and shot creation for teammates probably put him over the top for me. Even if he was only 90% superstar and 10% Dillon Brooks. Amare was 100% ballplayer.

Ashton: Another whimsical question, and it bleeds off of Q2.

And again, I would pay good money to see Barkley bang against the top centers and forwards in the league. Barkley vs. Wemby? Barkley vs. Jokic? Hell, pick your dream match-up. My wallet would be picked clean just to see those battles.

But it goes back to pace and space, and Amar’e fits the bill as the defending teams would be forced to sag off players to defend the rim (and earth) shaking shattering dunks. Sign me up for that too.

Okay, these hypothetical “what-ifs” will probably force me to watch YouTube highlights for the rest of the day. It will be interesting to see what the comments say, as I may change my mind.

Rod: As much as I loved Amar’e, I’m picking Sir Charles here. Barkley was better with great players around him, but he was great all by himself and was just a more versatile player than STAT, also more of a leader. I think that would make him more valuable in today’s game, which leans toward positionless basketball.

As always, many thanks to our Fantable members for all their extra effort this week!

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Suns Trivia/History

On May 30, 1976, after getting down 0-2 against the Boston Celtics in the 1976 NBA Finals, rookie center Alvan Adams scored 33 points and grabbed 14 rebounds along with 2 steals and a block to lead the Suns to a 105-98 Game 3 victory in Phoenix. The Suns took control from the start, building a 52-38 lead at the half and held on for the win despite a late run by the Celtics in the 4th quarter. A total of six Suns players had 2 steals in this game for a total of 12 vs just 5 for the Celtics. Paul Westphal added 22 points and 6 assists.

May 30, 1976: Boston's Kevin Stacom and Ricky Sobers of Phoenix are ejected for fighting in the second quarter during Game 3 of the NBA Finals.

The Suns won the game, 105-98, and narrowed the Celtics' series lead to 2-1.
📼 https://t.co/17kZmYeDucpic.twitter.com/T5L66tfNB9

— NBA Cobwebs (@NBACobwebs) May 30, 2022

On June 1, 1993, Dan Majerle set a then-playoffs record by sinking eight 3-pointers during the Suns’ 120-114 win over Seattle in Game 5 of the Western Conference finals. Majerle finished the game with 34 points and was 8 for 10 from three (80%) and made 70.6% of his FG attempts. The rest of the Suns team took only 2 shots from three and went 1 of 2. Sir Charles (Barkley) led the Suns in scoring with 43 points while adding 15 rebounds and 10 assists…without even attempting a three-point shot. Tom Chambers was the only other Sun to make a three in the game.

On June 3, 2021, the Suns defeated the LA Lakers 113-100 on LA’s home court in game 6 of their 1st round playoff series to progress to the 2nd round. Devin Booker led all scorers with 47 points while adding 11 rebounds for his first-ever playoff double-double.

On June 4, 1976, the Suns lost Game 5 of the NBA Finals to the Boston Celtics 126-128 in the first triple-overtime game in NBA Finals history. That game came to be called “the greatest game ever played,” and Gar Heard’s buzzer beater at the end of the second OT to tie the game and send it into a third OT was dubbed “The Shot Heard ‘Round the World”. Gar Heard set a then Finals record by playing 61 minutes that night. This record stood until Kevin Johnson broke it 17 years later when he played 62 minutes in the Suns’ triple OT win against the Chicago Bulls on June 13, 1993.

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Important Future Dates

Mid-June (date TBD) – Teams can begin negotiating with their own free agents (following the Finals)
June 23 – NBA Draft First Round, 8 ET (ABC/ESPN)
June 24 – NBA Draft Second Round, 8 ET (ESPN)
June 30 – Teams can begin negotiations with all free agents
July 1 – Official start of the 2026-27 league year and moratorium period
July 6 – Moratorium ends, official free agent contract signings can begin
July 9-19 – NBA 2K Summer League 2026 in Las Vegas
Late September (dates TBD) – NBA Training Camps open

A look at the Lakers entering the offseason:

Luka Doncic

Stats: 33.5 ppg, 8.3 apg, 7.7 rpg

Contract status: 2026-27: $49.5 million; 2027-28: $53.5M; 2028-29: Player option for $57.4M.

Skinny:Doncic reestablished himself as one of the league’s best players during the regular season before missing the playoffs due to a left hamstring strain. He won the scoring title for the second time in his career, becoming the first Laker since Kobe Bryant (2006-07) to accomplish the feat, and earned All-NBA first-team honors for the sixth time in his eight-season career. 

LeBron James

Stats: 20.9 ppg, 7.2 apg, 6.1 rpg

Contract status: Unrestricted free agent

Skinny:James continued to redefine what the latter stages of a player’s career can look like, earning an All-Star selection for a record-extending 22nd season. He navigated multiple changes within the team’s offensive hierarchy — from the co-second option to second option to third option — before closing the season in a primary role after the regular-season-ending injuries to Doncic and Austin Reaves. James was the Lakers’ best player during the first-round playoff series victory over the Rockets.  

Austin Reaves

Stats: 23.3 ppg, 5.5 apg, 4.7 rpg

Contract status: 2026-27: Player option for $14.9M.

Skinny: Reaves’ All-Star-caliber season was hampered by injuries, including the oblique strain that sidelined him for the end of the regular season and the start of the playoffs. His return during the first round helped get the Lakers over the hump against the Rockets, and he started to regain his rhythm toward the end of the second round against the Thunder. He’s due for a significant pay raise this summer.

Deandre Ayton

Stats: 12.5 ppg, 8 rpg, 1 bpg

Contract status: 2026-27: Player option for $8.1M.

Skinny: The playoffs perfectly captured Ayton’s season with the Lakers. He was an integral part of their first-round series win on both ends of the floor, showcasing the two-way value he can bring. But against the Thunder, he was a nonfactor at best and a detriment to the Lakers at worst. 

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Marcus Smart 

Stats: 9.3 ppg, 3 apg, 1.4 spg

Contract status: 2026-27: Player option for $5.4M.

Skinny: Smart was the emotional and hustle tone-setter for the Lakers during a season he provided a reminder of what he can bring to the floor after two forgettable seasons with the Grizzlies and Wizards. 

Rui Hachimura

Stats: 11.5 ppg, 3.3 rpg

Contract status: Unrestricted free agent

Skinny:Hachimura continues to grow as a shooter, knocking down a career-high 116 3-pointers and shooting a career-high 55.6% on midrange shots. He averaged a playoff career-high 17.5 points during the postseason, once again elevating his play when it matters most. 

Jake LaRavia

Stats: 8.2 ppg, 4 rpg

Contract status: 2026-27: $6M.

Skinny: LaRavia had his biggest role on the best team he’s played on so far through four NBA seasons. His durability (82 regular-season games played) and tenacity were positive, but he had the worst 3-point shooting season of his career (32.1%) and was too timid offensively in the playoffs. 

Luke Kennard

Stats: 8.4 ppg, 2.3 rpg, 2.2 apg

Contract status: Unrestricted free agent

Skinny: Kennard led the league in 3-point shooting percentage for the third time in his career. A pre-trade deadline acquisition, Kennard provided reminders that he brings more than just shooting to the table during the final stretch of the regular season. 

Jaxson Hayes

Stats: 7.5 ppg, 4.1 rpg

Contract status: Unrestricted free agent

Skinny: Hayes had the most efficient scoring season of his career (75.6% shooting) and his highest scoring season in his third year with the Lakers. He continues to improve with his screening and not fouling, being the ideal lob threat to play alongside Doncic.

Jarred Vanderbilt

Stats: 4.4 ppg, 4.5 rpg

Contract status: 2026-27: $12.4M; 2027-28: Player option for $13.3M.

Skinny: Vanderbilt showed a willingness to shoot more corner 3s in 2025-26. But the results were shaky. And he’s still a subpar finisher at the rim, which makes it challenging to keep him on the court alongside a center despite his defensive skills.

Maxi Kleber

Stats: 2 ppg, 2 rpg

Contract status: Unrestricted free agent

Skinny: Kleber struggled to stay healthy and was the clear third big man in the rotation. He hasn’t played more than 50 games in a regular season since 2021-22.

Nick Smith Jr.

Stats: 6.2 ppg

Contract status: 2026-27: Team option for $2.5M.

Skinny: Smith earned a standard NBA contract after starting with the Lakers on a two-way deal but didn’t factor into the playoff rotation. His season highs of 25 points and six assists in the Nov. 3 win over the Trail Blazers was his best game.

Bronny James

Stats: 2.9 ppg, 1.2 apg

Contract status: 2026-27: $2.3M; 2027-28: Team option for $2.5M.

Skinny:The younger James received more playing time toward the end of the season after the injuries to Doncic and Reaves, even factoring into their playoff rotation. He grew as a defender and shooter.

Dalton Knecht

Stats: 4.2 ppg, 1.1 rpg

Contract status: 2026-27: $4.2M; 2027-28: Team option for $6.5M.

Skinny: Knecht’s deficiencies outside of scoring/shooting have prevented him from having a bigger role since being the Lakers’ first-round pick in 2024. 

Adou Thiero 

Stats: 1.9 ppg, 1.1 rpg

Contract status: 2026-27: $2.2M; 2027-28: Team option for $2.5M.

Skinny:The rookie forward wasn’t healthy to start the season, dealing with swelling in his left knee after surgery from before he was drafted by the Lakers. But by season’s end, he was in the playoff rotation, showcasing the athleticism the team needs. But he’s still raw and has many areas to improve..

JJ Redick 

Contract status: Signed through 2029-30 season. 

Skinny:Redick has led the Lakers to back-to-back 50-win seasons, including 53 in 2025-26, which was the franchise’s most in an 82-game season since 2010-11.  

You’ve heard it a thousand times: “The 2026 NBA Draft is deep.” But how deep does it go, and who will be available by the time the Dallas Mavericks are on the clock with the ninth overall pick? There are tiers in this draft. The first four picks are the obvious standouts from this past season: AJ Dybantsa, Cam Boozer, Darryn Peterson, and Caleb Wilson. The next tier of players gets more muddled and can vary depending on the specific team’s needs (and who you talk to). The fifth through 10th spots are the ones experts don’t agree on, but the talent is there. That tier includes names like: Keaton Wagler, Darius Acuff Jr., Mikel Brown Jr., Kingston Flemings, Brayden Burries, and Nate Ament. There hasn’t been as much chatter about Ament, but he’s a prospect worth taking a deep dive into.

The basics

Nathaniel Ament, born December 10, 2006, enters this year’s draft as one of the top forwards available. The 19-year-old was a consensus five-star recruit and one of the top players entering the 2025 college basketball season. Ament led the Tennessee Volunteers to a 25-12 record, averaging 16.7 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 2.3 assists per game.

He grew up in Manassas, Virginia, and initially attended Colgan High School. He scored a mere 53 points his entire freshman season. After an underwhelming start to his high school career, Ament busted out of his shell as a sophomore, scoring 18.2 points per game and adding 9 rebounds. Following his sophomore season, he transferred to Highland School in Warrenton, Virginia. In his junior year, he showcased his ability to be elite on both ends of the floor, averaging 19.3 points, 7.8 rebounds, 4.0 blocks, and 3.7 assists per game. Following his standout season, he signed a shoe deal with Reebok. His senior season did not disappoint as he averaged 18.9 points per game, 10.0 rebounds, 2.2 assists, and 1.2 blocks. Ament was named the 2024–2025 Virginia Boys Basketball Gatorade Player of the Year, earning him a spot in the 2025 McDonald’s All-American game. The Virginia standout led Highland to a 39-6 record and the Virginia Independent School Athletic Association Division I state championship.

Ament was highly coveted as he entered college and ultimately committed to Tennessee after receiving offers from Duke, Kentucky, Arkansas, and Louisville. The Tennessee Volunteers made it to the elite eight in the 2026 NCAA tournament, but got routed by Michigan 95-62. In his final game, Ament had one of his worst showings of the season, posting 7 points, 6 rebounds, and 2 assists. After the season, he was named second-team All-SEC and All-Freshman Team. While he may not be considered at the top of this draft class, his talent has been recognized leaguewide entering the 2026 draft.

The good

Ament is the type of forward the modern NBA team covets. The 6’10, 210-pound Volunteer is a long and fluid forward who is a rare blend of size, perimeter skill, and versatility. He also has a natural feel for the game that’s hard to teach. His size allows him to shoot over defenders with relative ease. He’s listed at 6’10 but has a 7’1 wingspan and 9’ standing reach. Although his shooting numbers weren’t great this year, he showed significant improvement as the season went on. On 16.7 points per game, Ament shot 40% from the floor (4.9 makes/12.3 attempts per game). His 3-point shot needs some work at just 33% (1.3 makes/3.9 attempts per game). He’s around average or a touch above average from the free-throw line for a forward at 79%.

Although the numbers don’t look ideal, Ament’s upside is legitimate. His shot is still a little raw, but his technique is there and just needs some fine-tuning and more volume. He shows a strong feel for the game with composure and awareness, operating comfortably facing the basket. He’s also showcased a great touch on fadeaway jumpers and mid-post scoring situations, where he often exploits mismatches. He shot 43% in the midrange with a 45% effective field goal percentage.

Ament is also very coordinated for his size, and that allows him to handle the ball and make plays in ways uncommon for his frame. He’s shown flashes of point-forward qualities, as he’s able to grab-and-go in transition, make reads on the move, and facilitate in space. He’s an ideal hybrid for a positionless NBA. In 30 minutes per game, he averaged only 2.3 turnovers per game. For his usage rate and position, you’ll take those numbers all day long.

The room to improve

What scouts get excited about with Ament, they also get a little nervous about. His shooting consistency and efficiency are key concerns, as reflected in his 40% field goal and 33% three-point shooting splits. Injuries have played a part and impacted his rhythm and development, particularly a right leg injury in February that sidelined him for four weeks until the SEC tournament. But injuries happen in the NBA, too, and if he can’t find a solid footing with his shot, he won’t reach elite status. His total shooting percentage should ideally be around 45%, and his three-point percentage in the 35-37% range as a forward.

Ament’s foot speed is adequate but not a strength, which can make it more challenging to consistently create separation off the dribble and fully maximize his ball-handling ability. Drives are more effective when he has momentum, but he can struggle to generate speed and separation from a standstill in half-court situations.

Defensively, he’s good, but there are still some concerns — particularly guarding in space and navigating screens, where his foot speed and strength are tested. The NBA has stronger, faster, and more mobile athletes. If Ament wants to at least be an average defender in the NBA, he’ll need more quickness, especially laterally, trying to stay in front of the league’s best offensive players.

Fit with the Mavericks

Outside the top four to five prospects, the player a team takes will hinge more on the specific needs of the team, rather than talent alone. For that reason, choosing Nate Ament with the ninth pick may not make a ton of sense for the Mavericks, unless they choose to trade someone like P.J. Washington for more future picks (remember, Dallas doesn’t own their own first-round pick again until 2031). The Mavericks are in desperate need of more guards and shooting, and there will likely be better options still available at nine. Ament isn’t a guard, and his shooting is spotty. As they currently sit, the Mavericks have P.J. Washington, Marvin Bagley III, Dwight Powell, Tyler Smith, and Daniel Gafford listed as power forwards. Of course, many of those guys interchangeably play center, too, but you get the point. Size is not a problem for Dallas. Ament will be a great fit for many teams, just not this one.

Player comparison

Ament is frequently compared to players like Jabari Smith Jr. and Jonathan Isaac. This past season for the Rockets, Smith Jr. averaged 15.8 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 1.9 assists on 45.0%, 36.3% from three, and 77.5% from the free throw line. He’s known for his ability to face up and shoot over the top of defenders, finding crafty ways to drive and score, and he can hit the occasional three. While he’s not a franchise-altering player, Smith Jr. has been a solid piece for the Rockets as they’ve rebuilt themselves into a West contender. Jonathan Isaac has similar characteristics but is a touch more defensive-focused than Smith Jr. Isaac does a lot of his damage inside and on short shots in the post. At his peak, Isaac averaged 11.9 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 2.3 blocks per game. He shot 47.0% from the floor, 34.0% from three, and 77.9% from the free-throw line. Isaac has been a solid anchor on both ends of the floor for the Magic as they’ve returned to prominence in recent years.

No matter what type of player he evolves into, Ament has the promise of being at worst a solid role player and at best an elite two-way guy that any team needs to win a championship.

There are always several players in the NBA Draft who just know how to play the game at a high level. They make the right plays, are always in the right spots, and are efficient in almost everything they do. This year, one of those players is Bennett Stirtz out of Iowa. Stirtz has an amazing combination of ball skills, shooting ability and high IQ that makes him one of the more solid point guard prospects, and he could help any team with what he provides.

It’s a list of things that Stirtz does well, but the thing that jumps out the most that will help him at the next level is his play in the pick-and-roll. Whatever Iowa needed Stirtz to do out of that play, he executed it and made something out of it. He knows how to create easy shots for himself, whether that’s getting crafty and going to the rim or creating a shot on the perimeter. He averaged 19.8 points per game, and it’s safe to say most of his points came out of the pick-and-roll.

When it comes to his playmaking, his assist numbers don’t do him much justice (4.4 per game), but he makes the right play. He hits the roller with a perfect pass, or he might make a skip pass to an open shooter. These are the type of intangibles a team would want, and Stirtz has it on offense.

What makes him even more of an efficient prospect is his shooting numbers. He shot 36% from behind the arc, and in his junior season with Drake, he shot 40%. That should be enough to show that he can knock it down at a high level, and in different situations. Though he thrives in pick-and-roll, he was also good playing off ball, and his catch-and-shoot ability worked well in Iowa. Unfortunately, when it comes to creating his own shot, Stirtz falls short in that category, but if he’s doing everything else right on offense, it may not be a big issue for teams.

The reason for his lack of shot creation is attributed to his athleticism. When looking at the mix of guards that are projected to go in the lottery, they all have some sort of speed, strength, or twitch that helps their game. As for Stirtz, he just doesn’t have that extra burst, which could limit him on offense if you’re asking him to go get a bucket in isolation.

His lack of athleticism also bleeds into the other side of the ball, where he can be taken advantage of at the point of attack. He’s not the worst defender, but Iowa usually sat him in the corner against the opposing team’s worst offensive player, which is what might happen at the next level. The thing is, camping him in the corner at the next level isn’t going to work all the time, especially if teams are looking to attack him.

Of course, the other thing that is always questionable about prospects is their age, and Stirtz will be 22 years old on draft day. At the end of the day, Stirtz has the skills to play at the next level, and age shouldn’t deter teams away from drafting him.

The Hawks could look at Stirtz as a guy to draft late in the first round. The two areas of need for them are guard and center, so it wouldn’t be a surprise if he were on their draft board. He seems like a guy who would fit in perfectly in Quin Snyder’s system, but his lack of shot creation may be something that could make them lose interest.

Eighty-two regular season games. One Emirates Cup Final. Five games in round one of the playoffs against the Portland Trail Blazers. It took six games to eliminate the Minnesota Timberwolves. And last night the Spurs evened the Western Conference Finals at three games apiece.

By my count —and I am a math teacher after all — that is 100 games.

The Spurs are heading back to Oklahoma City in a winner-take-all Game 7. Their 101st game.

Basketball 101.

The biggest factor for the Spurs in wins versus losses comes down to Victor Wembanyama.

In Games 1 and 4, the Spurs won when Wemby scored over 30 points. In the losses in Games 2, 3, and 5, Victor scored 21, 26, and 20 respectively.

Last night in Game 6, Wembanyama scored 22 points in the first half. He ended the night with 28 points, but he played sparingly in the second half as the Spurs pushed the game out of reach during the 3rd quarter.

By comparison, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 15 points in Game 6 and sat out the entire 4th quarter. This is the second loss in a row at the Frost Bank Center where Mark Daigneault has kept his MVP out of the final frame.

The Spurs did a fantastic job in the elimination game of limiting SGA to just three free throws. Over the series, they have frustrated his shooting game, forcing him to score from the line. Reducing his trips to the charity stripe paired with the Spurs defense on him has been paramount in taking the series to a Game 7.

Meanwhile, both teams have suffered injuries.

From the Spurs side, De’Aaron Fox have been pushing through a high ankle sprain, and though he’s not a hundred percent, he is able to steer the ship when needed. Dylan Harper also suffered a right adductor injury. He played through but was not producing. If Game 6 was any indication, Harper is better and ready to battle.

For the Thunder, Jalen Williams (J-Dub) has missed much of the Western Conference Finals with a hamstring injury. Though he came off the bench in Game 6, he scored only 1 point in ten minutes of playing time.

The Thunder have also utilized Alex Caruso as a difference maker. Other than the doule-overtime loss in Game 1, Caruso scored 17, 15, and 22 in the Thunder victories, a key component to their success. But in the losses they endured in San Antonio, Caruso scored 0 and 7 respectively.

While the Spurs have exhibited balance all season — they were close to having eight players averging double figures in the regular season — their wins and losses in this series align with Victor Wembanyama.

So the real question is, which Wemby will hit the hardwood in Oklahoma’s capital Saturday night?

Victor has made his intentions clear. He shares his emotions readily and he does not hide his frustration when he does not perform at his best. But this is win or go home.

He will be the focal point of the Thunder’s defense. He should expect double teams and clogging in the paint, which is an asset when he’s dishing to Devin Vassell, Julian Champagnie, and De’Aaron Fox, provided they are hitting open threes.

The version of him from Games 3 and 5 that looked winded, missed shots, and hung around the three-point line instead of making a play for the paint cannot step onto the court Saturday night.

It is imperative the same confident superstar that came out of the gate hitting threes in Game 6 dominates the reigning champions. For 48 minutes, the Spurs must execute.

For most on the team, this is just another in the series of “firsts” they have experienced this season.

Victor has to impose his will to ensure this is the first of many.

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In Thursday’s Brotherhood Playoff Action, San Antonio smoked Oklahoma City, 118-91, to even the Western Conference Finals at 3-3.

The Spurs just punked the Thunder. There’s really no other way to put it, and keep in mind that OKC is a great defensive team, and San Antonio is ridiculously young.

Jared McCain got the start again, and he finished with 13 points, 6 assists, and 2 rebounds.

For his part, Mason Plumlee got 5 minutes and had 1 rebound.

Game 7 will be on Saturday, and that’s going to be worth tuning in for.

• Mason Plumlee’s foul on Jared McCain upgraded to a Flagrant 1
• Jared McCain is Now So Good That They’re Sending Goons After Him
• NBA Addresses Mason Plumlee’s Hard Foul on Jared McCain After Thunder’s Game 5 Win vs. Spurs
• Jared McCain helps Edmond couple go viral as they raise money for IVF through hats
• Revisiting the Jared McCain Trade: How the Thunder Fleeced the 76ers for a Crucial Playoff Piece
• Jalen Williams played in Thunder’s Game 6 loss to Spurs, but did not start and scored 1 point
• Mark Daigneault: Spurs ‘threw a great punch in the third’ to knock out Thunder in Game 6
• Wembanyama and aggressive Spurs force game seven against Thunder

Go to the DBR Boards to find Blue Healer Auctions || Drop us a line

The San Antonio Spurs have forced the Oklahoma City Thunder to a Game 7 in the NBA’s Western Conference finals.

San Antonio went wire-to-wire in Game 6 to secure a 118-91 victory on Thursday, May 28 at home.

The Thunder managed to sweep their first two series of the postseason before running into the team that caused problems for them during the regular season. The Spurs got the best of the Thunder in four of five meetings during the regular season, including a 117-102 victory on Christmas Day.

Victor Wembanyama has led the way for the Spurs and did again Thursday, producing a double-double with 28 points and 10 rebounds in Game 6. He went 10-for-21 from the field, including 4-for-9 shooting from the 3-point line, in 28 minutes of play.

“We played together and passed the ball,” Wembanyama said. “We trusted the game plan as always.”

NBA playoff takeaways: Victor Wembanyama makes his case as real MVP as Spurs force Game 7

The Spurs had a dominant third quarter, outscoring OKC 32-13. San Antonio produced a 20-0 scoring run during the quarter.

“I think we need to be consistent (on defense),” Wembanyama said. “I think outscoring them 20-0 is not a realistic projection … but we want to be consistent.”

Wembanyama played a big role in the team’s defense and had three of the team’s seven blocks.

Stephon Castle has also held his own on defense against the two-time reigning MVP, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. The Thunder star struggled to find a rhythm throughout the game on Thursday.

He was held to 15 points after shooting just 6-of-18 from the field and going 0-for-5 from long range in 28 minutes of play. Gilgeous-Alexander was 3-for-3 from the free-throw line.

“A lot of the shots I’m shooting I’ve taken plenty of times before and felt good,” Gilgeous-Alexander said. “They’re just not going in. It’s too late in the season to abandon (my shooting style) now.”

The Thunder will have home-court advantage but Gilgeous-Alexander knows it will take more than that to defeat a determined Spurs team.

“We are a motivated group and accept the challenge ahead,” Gilgeous-Alexander said. ”Anything can happen in a Game 7.

“It's win or go home. Playing in your building is nice but it doesn’t really mean anything. You have to be the better basketball team.”

When do Thunder and Spurs play Game 7?

The Thunder will host the Spurs in Game 7 at the Paycom Center in Oklahoma City on Saturday, May 30 at 8 p.m. ET. The game will be broadcast on NBC and streamed on Peacock.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Spurs, Thunder ready for Game 7 showdown in Western Conference finals

The Houston Rockets are being floated as a team to watch in the blockbuster trade market this offseason.

Last summer, the Rockets traded for Kevin Durant from the Phoenix Suns, acquiring him for Dillon Brooks, Jalen Green, and the number 10 overall pick in the 2025 NBA draft, which was used to select Khaman Maluach out of Duke.

Now, the Rockets could be looking to acquire Durant’s former teammate, Kyrie Irving, whom he shared the court with from 2020-23 with the Brooklyn Nets.

CBS Sports contributor Sam Quinn listed the Rockets as a potential destination for Irving if he were to be traded this offseason.

“The Rockets are loaded with draft capital, including, potentially, a Mavericks pick in 2029. They can match money with Fred VanVleet, who’d be a useful veteran point guard for Dallas, assuming he picks up his player option, and Dorian Finney-Smith, a former fan-favorite for the Mavericks. Little needs to be said about the basketball fit,” Quinn wrote.

“The Rockets had the second-worst per-play half-court offense in the playoffs and ranked 19th on that front in the regular season. Durant and Irving could cover the half-court offense. Their legion of young wings could generate transition offense and rebounding and play defense. It’s the obvious sort of move Houston could make to build on last year’s flaws.“

While it would be difficult for the Rockets to move on from VanVleet, a trade like this is likely something General Manager Rafael Stone could consider over blockbuster deals that would force the Rockets to trade anyone from the young core.

Despite two consecutive first-round exits, it’s too early for the Rockets to move on from Alperen Şengün, Reed Sheppard, or Jabari Smith Jr. They still have a lot of potential for growth and the Rockets have to continue investing in them.

TDS community, would you trade for Irving this offseason? If not, what trades do you want to see the Rockets make? Let us know in the comments section below.