Stokes set to learn England fate despite legend’s blast as emotional ton puts Kiwis on top
England captain Ben Stokes could return to Test duty as soon as next week’s series finale against New Zealand, several British media outlets reported Thursday.
Leeds move clear at top of Super League as Sivo treble stuns Warrington
Warrington 6-34 Leeds
Rhinos run in six tries in statement win
Leeds Rhinos delivered a resounding statement over their Super League title credentials with a scintillating victory against Warrington to move two points clear of the Wolves at the top.
This was a meeting of Super League’s best defence versus its best attack, with the winners knowing they would go clear of the opposition after both started Thursday evening joint-top. However, it proved to be a complete mismatch as Leeds dismantled Sam Burgess’s side to inflict a first home defeat on Warrington in devastating fashion.
Continue reading...Knicks parade shows the chaotic, joyous, and adaptable spirit of New York City and its title-winning team
The City That Never Sleeps had good reason to be up all night on Wednesday. On the eve of the Knicks' tickertape parade to celebrate their NBA Championship win, some New Yorkers began holding their spots before the bars had even closed for the night. Others stayed in hotel rooms right off the parade route so they could roll out of bed and into the scrum, while others boarded trains from New Jersey, Long Island, and Westchester as early as two or three a.m. to get to Battery Park City in time.
Many of them didn't.
One of the consequences of having one of the most electric postseason runs in recent memory is that lots of people get swept up in it. Even more so when the team making that run exists in one of the largest cities in the country and hasn't won a championship in 53 years. The NYPD commissioner expected attendance to be in the millions and the NYPD deployed more than 10,000 police officers, which was the most officers deployed for any such event.
So even though fans knew they needed to get to lower Manhattan hours before the parade's 10 a.m. start time, and even earlier than the scheduled opening of the viewing pens at 6 a.m., many fans were never able to get close enough to Broadway to eventually see the Knicks and varied New York celebrities drive by them on floats.
More than 2 million people came out today to lower Manhattan for the Knicks parade, according to the NYPD
— Mike Vorkunov (@MikeVorkunov) June 18, 2026
While some left, frustrated and disappointed, the vast majority stayed. The NYPD erected additional barricades, eventually creating at least three separate layers of celebration in lower Manhattan. Fans packed Church Street and West Broadway, knowing there was no chance they would catch even the slightest glimpse of Jalen Brunson or Jose Alvarado. But they would see each other. They would see thousands like them, decked out in Knicks shirts, hats, and jerseys, some of which barely fit and looked as if they had been worn yearly since the Knicks' previous heyday in the 1990s. Being together one more time was reason enough to push deeper into the crowd because the city had been energized by that togetherness for weeks.
"Over these past weeks, as the Knicks kept winning, our city has come together as one," said New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani at the City Hall ceremony following the parade. "Neighbors invited neighbors over. Strangers high-fived one another in the street. Subway conductors sang their announcements, and bus drivers danced behind the wheel. So often when this city comes together, it is because we are forced to by a moment of tragedy or adversity. What a gift it is to be brought together by pure, unfiltered joy."
Brunson’s financial sacrifice made it possible to build a contender around him.
Kurt HelinThe joy was seen everywhere on the street, whether it was a group of elementary school boys, all decked out in Knicks jerseys, dancing to music playing from one of their mom's phones, or the sporadic chants of "Jalen Brunson" and "Knicks in five" that reverberated through the lower Manhattan buildings. A six-year-old girl, decked out in a tiara and a sash that read "Today is my birthday," prompted shouts of "Happy Birthday" from anybody who walked past.
The creativity and ingenuity of New York City were all over the streets as well. An artist carried his own painting of Jalen Brunson and prompted chants whenever he climbed on anything and held it aloft. Dozens of people pulled wagons filled with knockoff t-shirts for sale. One photographer put up his own NBA Finals backdrop to take photos for people, free of charge, and a barber even set up shop in the middle of Church Street, giving haircuts to anybody willing to plop down onto the concrete.
Many of these fans had waited for so long to celebrate their team winning a title that they had no plans to go home, regardless of where they wound up standing. They had been through too much.
"For 53 long years we have watched, and we have waited," said Mayor Mamdani. "We have watched from nosebleeds through gritted teeth, on televisions in the windows of electronic stores, and from projectors balanced on fire escapes. We have watched alone in our apartments with our heads in our hands, shoulder to shoulder at bars where the signal flickers, alongside friends and family who we wish more than anything could be here today sharing this moment."
For many, sharing that moment with the people closest to them mattered more than seeing the players themselves on a float.
One couple walked past with the father wearing his infant son on his chest in a Baby Bjorn. They had no intention of fighting their way to the front. "I just wanted him to experience this," the father said. "So that he has a photo in case it never happens again."
Another couple politely pleaded with a police officer to see if there was any way through the barricade. The husband is a mailman from New Jersey who took the day off work to come to the parade. Both he and his wife were decked out in oversized blue chains with Knicks logos dangling from the bottom. When the police officer told him that, as far as she knew, all the pens were full and there was nowhere else to go, they smiled and thanked her. "We've got the whole day," the husband said. "We'll make the most of it."
Winning in today’s NBA is not about compiling superstars, it’s about surrounding a star with depth that fits.
A family made the trek down from Washington Heights together despite their two kids both going to schools that had announced they were going to show the parade on TV. They made it down to the Fulton Street station by 7:45 a.m., but the crowd was so massive that they couldn't even get through the turnstiles to exit the station. Instead, they turned around, took the train back uptown one stop to Canal Street, and walked back on foot. There was not an ounce of regret.
"I'd rather be here than watching at school," said their 10-year-old daughter. "Everybody would be talking through it. I'd rather be there with all the people."
Who she's with seemed to matter a lot. She had watched Game 5 of the NBA Finals with her 78-year-old grandmother, who was at the infamous Willis Reed Game back in 1970. At the time, her grandmother had just gotten married, and took her wedding money and went down to Madison Square Garden to buy tickets to the NBA Finals. She was able to buy tickets for all home games except Game 7, which she eventually bought off a scalper, paying $25 per ticket for a ticket that was $7.50 face value.
Those are the Knicks fans who were top of mind for many at the celebration, including the players themselves.
"We waited as the memory of Willis Reed winning the championship on one leg grew fainter and fainter," said Mayor Mamdani after the parade. "We waited as Clyde [Frazier] came up clutch again and again, as John Starks dunked on [Michael] Jordan and Patrick Ewing dunked on the Pacers, as Bernard King scored 60 as Charles Oakley pulled every rebound within reach, as Spike [Lee] got in Reggie Miller's face as Alan Houston put up a shot against Miami that hung in the air for an eternity as Larry Johnson gave us the four point play heard around New York..."
Yet, even when you glanced around the mass of fans, the jerseys on their backs weren't filled with the typical names. Yes, there were plenty of Jalen Brunson, Karl-Anthony Towns, and Josh Hart jerseys. There were also dozens of Patrick Ewing, Carmelo Anthony, Walt Frazier, and Willis Reed jerseys, but many fans also proudly wore the names of Knicks players who had never been part of contending teams. Names like Wilson Chandler, Iman Shumpert, Jeremy Lin, Kristaps Porzingis, Jamal Crawford, Obi Toppin, and Stephon Marbury were printed across people's backs. The failed promise that came with names like Larry Johnson, Latrell Sprewell, Allen Houston, Julius Randle, and RJ Barrett was also present on countless jerseys because those players and seasons mattered as much to these fans as the one they had just witnessed.
"We are here not just because of this team that will go down in New York City legend," echoed Mayor Mamdani. "I'm talking about guys like Renaldo Balkman, Marty Collins, Raymond Felton, Marcus Camby, Kristaps Porzingis, Iman Shumpert, and the whole mixtape era. I'm talking about guys like Tony Douglas, who I watched tie the single-game franchise record for threes from the stands in 2011. I'm talking about Amari [Stoudemire], who got this whole city fired up when he joined. I'm talking about Jared Jeffries and Lance Thomas and Langston Galloway, players who gave everything every game, even when a 20-win season was all that was in sight."
It's a history that most Knicks fans at the parade wear like a badge of honor, and a history that made this celebration feel that much sweeter. But the history of New York City was also a big part of the way the city planned the parade itself.
There was persistent criticism online about choosing to have the parade in the Canyon of Heroes despite the likelihood that millions of people would try to show up and overwhelm downtown Manhattan. Yet, in addition to not wanting to shutdown midtown Manhattan on a workday, there are historic reasons why the city chose to use the Canyon of Heroes route. It's the same route that was used in 1886 for an impromptu parade to celebrate the arrival of the Statue of Liberty from France, which was the first-ever ticker-tape parade. Three years later, a parade was held in the same spot to celebrate the Centennial of George Washington's inauguration. Since then, the same route has been used in New York City, not only to celebrate championships for the Yankees, Giants, Rangers, Liberty, and US Women's National Soccer team, but also to honor presidents like Theodore Roosevelt, Olympic athletes in 1924 returning from the Paris Games, Charles Lindbergh after the first solo non-stop transatlantic flight, essential workers after COVID-19, and many more.
It's a path that honors the present while also celebrating the achievements of the past. Much like the Knicks players did on Thursday. So, yes, the parade wasn't perfect. It was chaotic, claustrophobic, and messy. It was also energetic, invigorating, and welcoming. The perfect dichotomy to represent its city and the residents who just wanted to experience any sliver of the excitement.
"I did it," said a young woman on the J train as it rose from underground and started to traverse across the Williamsburg Bridge. "I came, and I saw, and I almost conquered. But I was there." At the end of the day, being there, however close "there" actually was, was all that mattered.
Luka Dončić has had ‘constant communication’ with Lakers, wants ‘A-list center’
The build-up to the Lakers’ 2026 offseason started before Luka Dončić even joined the Lakers, but his arrival placed a larger microscope over what is about to unfold.
After a season-and-a-half of cobbling together pieces to try to maximize Luka as best as they can, the Lakers’ front office has books as clean as they’ll ever have, multiple draft picks to trade and a massive opportunity in front of them. Now, they head into a summer likely to bring big changes.
While it’s the likes of President of Basketball Operations Rob Pelinka and those around him who will be under pressure, this will be a collaborative effort between the front office and Luka. As Dave McMenamin of ESPN reported on Tuesday, even with Luka back in Slovenia this summer, the two sides have stayed in regular contact.
Doncic is spending the summer in Slovenia with his daughters, Gabriela and Olivia, but sources close to him told ESPN he is in “constant communication” with Lakers president of basketball operations and general manager Rob Pelinka and coach JJ Redick.
From the moment Luka joined the franchise, his input has been not just received, but sought after. Days after they traded for him, the front office met with Luka, who expressed his desire for a center. It was right after that conversation that the team initially traded for Mark Williams.
The problem is that, 16 months later, the Lakers are still searching for that center. And, as reported by McMenamin, that remains at the top of Luka’s wish list.
While the 27-year-old Doncic is preparing for another season squarely in his prime, he has made one roster preference clear to Pelinka and Redick, sources said.
It’s the same one he made in the days after he first arrived in Los Angeles 16 months ago.
“Luka’s first and foremost desire is an A-list center,” the source said.
It really feels like the Lakers have to move past the days of searching for the bargain option at center and pay up to get a top option. Having a genuine, lob-catching, rim-protecting center that Luka can get the best out of not only opens up the offense for him, but the team as a whole. It really changes the identity of the team and should be not just Luka’s top priority, but the team’s as well.
There are any number of ways the team can go about acquiring that type of player, whether through free agency, trade or the draft. But this summer has been a long time coming and the Lakers should be well-prepared for what’s to come.
You can follow Jacob on Twitter at @JacobRude or on Bluesky at @jacobrude.bsky.social.
NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani, James Dolan, Leon Rose address Knicks fans during championship parade: 'We did it for you'
The Knicks championship parade made its way from Battery Park through the Canyon of Heroes, culminating with a ceremony outside City Hall.
There, Mayor Zohran Mamdani, Knicks owner James Dolan, president Leon Rose, and head coach Mike Brown — among others — thanked Knicks fans, players, executives, and every one else who helped along the way as the Knicks ended a 53-year championship drought.
Here are some of the top quotes from Thursday's ceremony...
Mayor Zohran Mamdani
"They give the Spurs a 99.6 percent chance of winning [Game 4 when the Knicks trailed by 20 in the fourth quarter.] A 99.6 percent chance of tying up the series 2-2, of reclaiming the momentum with the next game in San Antonio. A 99.6 percent chance of silencing the Garden, of another year of watching and waiting. But there is one thing that the pundits just don’t get about this team, that they just don’t get about this city. It is in that .4 percent that we go to work.
"It is in that .4 percent that Jalen Brunson, the same guy that so many said was too small, proves that not only is he good enough, he is the new standard of greatness. It is in that .4 percent that OG Anunoby watches the ball float from the top of the arc and start running toward the basket, fingers reaching toward the heavens. It is in that .4 percent that Karl-Anthony Towns finds the strength to mourn his mother and still grab rebound after rebound, make block after block. It is in that .4 percent that Jose Alvarado shows every kid growing up in public housing that a son of Brooklyn and Queens can win for every one of the five boroughs. It is in that .4 percent that [Mitchell Robinson] breaks his finger before Game 1 and says ‘Go get the tape.’ It’s in that .4 percent that Josh Hart grabs rebounds that break teams and Mikal Bridges proves he was worth every single draft pick, that Landry Shamet pulls up from downtown, that every one of these 18 players transforms the franchise, that Mike Brown keeps believing.
"Most of all, it’s in that .4 percent that the Knicks do what New Yorkers have always done when we are told something is impossible. We find a way. We win."
James Dolan
"Thank you for supporting our team. We're gonna keep working to bring you even better basketball — although it's hard to imagine that we get much better than this — but we will, right fellas?"
Leon Rose
"Last and most importantly, to the greatest fans in the world, we did it for you. Your support in every arena, it felt like a home game wherever we played, and all over the world has been unbelievable, and we hope to see you again very soon."
Mike Brown
"I’m proud of everybody for helping accomplish this great feat. The energy today and all around New York is off the charts, and I want to thank you all for it. Let’s keep this energy going, baby, because this championship is about you guys. This is New York City’s championship.
"We had our ups, we definitely had our downs, and our group stayed connected through those times. … You saw the belief, the belief in each other."
Know the draft prospect: Zuby Ejiofor
Depending on how the board falls, St. John’s big man Zuby Ejiofor could be available when New York is on the clock on draft night next week. Should the Knicks consider him with their 24th or 31st selection?
The Basics
- School: St. John’s (transferred from Kansas)
- Position: Power Forward
- Height: 6’9″
- Weight: 245 lbs
- Age: 22 (Born April 20, 2004)
- 2025-26 Stats: 16.3 PPG, 7.3 RPG, 3.5 APG, 2.1 BLK, 1.2 STL, 53.6% FG, 30.5% 3PT, 71.8% FT
- Projected Draft Range: Late first to very early second round (25–30)
The Numbers
Ejiofor became one of college basketball’s most productive frontcourt players during his final season at St. John’s, his third with the Red Storm. He helped lead the squad to the outright Big East regular-season title and Big East Tournament championship while earning Big East Player of the Year, Big East Defensive Player of the Year and Big East Tournament Most Outstanding Player honors.
The St. John’s standout averaged 16.3 points, 7.3 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 2.1 blocks and 1.2 steals in 30 minutes per game, and experienced quite the jump from his prior seasons. During his senior-year campaign, Ejiofor’s assists climbed from 1.6 to 3.5 per game, while his blocks rose from 1.4 to 2.1, highlighting his growth as a passer, quicker-processor and defensive playmaker.
ESPN NBA Draft analyst Jeremy Woo has already connected the dots between Ejiofor and the Knicks, saying, “I think he’s someone the Knicks should look at. I think he would fit. I could see him fitting in really well [with the Knicks].”
Skills That Pay the Bills
- Motor and Physicality: Ejiofor plays with the kind of force that should translate immediately to the pro ranks and give him a solid role as soon as he joins a team. He can rebound, runs the floor, is able to absorb contact, contests shots, and does the dirty work without needing many touches of the ball.
- Defensive Versatility: At 245 pounds with a 7’2” wingspan and a 38-inch max vertical, Ejiofor has enough strength, length and explosiveness to defend multiple frontcourt looks. He can protect the rim, switch in spots and make plays in space.
- Rebounding: Ejiofor attacked the glass stubbornly and led Division I in offensive rebounding in 2024-25. He is able to generate extra possessions and doesn’t mind playing through contact.
- Solid Passing: The passing leap is one of the most interesting parts of Ejiofor’s profile. He averaged 3.5 assists per game last season and showed legitimate feel finding cutters, shooters and weak-side options when defenses rotated.
- Improving Touch: Ejiofor is not a proven shooter yet, but his 71.8% free-throw mark and improved shooting at the NBA Draft Combine give some reason for optimism, as he worked to show his comfort on midrange and three-point shots at the event.
Concerns
- Tweener Size: Ejiofor measured just 6’7.5” barefoot, which is short for an NBA center. His wingspan and strength help, but the size question is real against bigger, true NBA fives.
- Limited Shooting: The jumper is still theoretical, as he shot 30.5% from three as a senior, and his NBA value would rise significantly if he became a reliable corner or pick-and-pop threat. Just not there yet.
- Offensive Role: Ejiofor does not project as a self-creator, but more of a finisher with a knack for hustling. Many of his baskets came through put-backs, dump-offs, rim runs, short rolls, and all sorts of low-key-hustle plays. That can work, even more within the Knicks roster, but it’d require Mike Brown to hit all the right lineup buttons.
- Processing Consistency: The passing growth is real, but he still goes with the obvious read or forces plays at times.
- Age: Ejiofor is also considerably older than many prospects—and virtually all of those projected to be first-rounders—and still needs some offensive refinement.
The Knicks Fit
I don’t need convincing for the Knicks to make this pick with any of their first two selections. See, the Knicks are coming off winning their first title since 1973, St. John’s plays home games at Madison Square Garden, New York had the chance of a lifetime to grab one of their own in legendary Red Storm forward Ron Artest… but they botched it. Nearly 30 years later, Ejiofor would help the Knicks fix that wrong if they complete the homecoming in a move that fans would absolutely love.
Mind you, Ejiofor would not enter the organization with Artest-level expectations, but the connection is real, and there might not be a better moment for the organization to kill two NYC birds with one NBA Draft stone. Ejiofor developed under Rick Pitino (name rings a bell, too?), became the face of St. John’s breakthrough season, and built a reputation on toughness, defense and constant effort. Sounds familiar?
Ejiofor’s profile fits the Knicks’ identity to a T. New York has Karl-Anthony Towns as its starting center and reportedly wants to keep Mitchell Robinson, although James Dolan doesn’t seem too excited about the possibility. If Robinson leaves, Ejiofor becomes a logical frontcourt target and immediate replacement in the rotation. If Robinson stays, Ejiofor could still develop as a rugged backup big who brings energy, rebounding, and defensive versatility, allowing the Knicks to let Ariel Hukporti/Mohamed Diawara go—or move them—if they need to clear some financial room.
ESPN national director of recruiting Paul Biancardi also framed the Knicks’ fit around the franchise’s identity, writing, “[Ejiofor] plays with an edge, and that’s how the Knicks won a championship, right? They play with an edge, and coming out of St. John’s, with (head coach) Rick Pitino, that’s a great story for you and a lot of people. I think it’s a fit.”
NBA Comparison
- Best-Case Comparison: Montrezl Harrell with a passing feel
- Median Outcome: Xavier Tillman
- Low-End Outcome: Kenneth Faried without elite rebounding
The Verdict
Think twice at 24th: The decision here would depend on who else is available. If a higher-upside guard, wing, or true stretch big slips, New York might do better than drafting Ejiofor, given his lack of size for a center and his unproven jumper are legitimate concerns. That said, there is a very real possibility this kid gets drafted within the 25-30 range, so the Knicks might miss out if they pass on the chance.
Don’t hesitate at 31st: If Zuby Ejiofor is still available when the Knicks pick early in the second round, the fit makes too much sense to ignore. Ejiofor brings the toughness, defensive activity, and rebounding the Knicks have build their roster around and might need if Mitch leaves. He also comes with some passing chops and a clear role-player mentality that wouldn’t disrupt the core. The Red Storm connection is also a bonus coming, let alone with the program and Ejiofor coming off a great season at St. John’s, giving the Knicks a rare homecoming story right after winning the championship. Make it happen!
Read all our draft profiles here.
Go Knicks!
Blackhawks Legend Jonathan Toews Is Retiring From National Hockey League
The Chicago Blackhawks selected a franchise icon third overall in 2006 when they called Jonathan Toews' name. To say he lived up to the hype would be a wild understatement, as he is one of the greatest Blackhawks of all time.
Toews played for Chicago for the first 15 years of his NHL career. It would have been 16 had he not missed the entire 2020-21 season.
Ahead of 2025-26, Toews signed a one-year deal with the Winnipeg Jets after a few years away from the game. Some thought he might not end up coming back after his final game with Chicago in 2023, but he proved that he was capable of returning.
Not only did he return, but he also played in all 82 games with Winnipeg, his hometown team. In 82 games played, he had 11 goals and 18 assists for 29 points while continuing his domination in the face-off dot. It was a mediocre year for him compared to his career numbers, but his successful attempt at coming back proved to the hockey world and himself that he could do it.
Now, Jonathan Toews will retire from the National Hockey League at the age of 38. He shuts it down with 1149 games played, 383 goals, 529 assists, and 912 points.
Throughout his career, he won the Stanley Cup three times, the Conn Smythe Trophy, the Selke Trophy, and was named one of the 100 greatest players in NHL history during the league's centennial season. This resume will make him a first-ballot Hall of Fame player.
For a long time, Toews was a force down the middle of the ice. There were a few years during his prime when folks had him as one of the ten best players in the NHL due to his ability to do it all. He could score, defend with the best of them, and was as fierce a leader as has ever existed in the sport's history.
Toews was named captain at a young age. His nickname "Captain Serious" was perfect because he was obsessed with winning, and his competitive drive was the foundation of the Blackhawks for a decade. They won a lot because of it.
On January 19th, Toews made his return to the United Center for the first time as a road player. He received the reception that you'd expect. It was the type of ovation that you get if you win three Stanley Cups.
With this news, the celebration of Toews' career has only just begun. He will eventually have his number retired, be put in the Blackhawks Hall of Fame, and eventually be inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame.
A press conference will be held by the Winnipeg Jets on Friday, June 19th, to make it official.
Visit The Hockey News Chicago Blackhawks team site to stay up to date on the latest news, game-day coverage, player features, and more.
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Warriors GM Mike Dunleavy Jr. previews the NBA Draft
In today’s Dub Hub:
- Warriors general manager Mike Dunleavy Jr. held a press conference Wednesday, previewing the team’s approach to next week’s NBA Draft.
- The Stein Line’s Jake Fischer reports on the possibility of a Trey Murphy III trade between the Warriors and Pelicans.
- ESPN’s Brian Windhorst gives context to Wizards’ Trae Young declining his $48.97 million player option to become a free agent.
The Golden State Warriors are entering the final stages of their pre-draft process with the 2026 NBA Draft less than a week away. On Wednesday, general manager Mike Dunleavy Jr. held a press conference to discuss the draft, the team’s offseason priorities, and how the front office plans to approach the No. 11 overall pick.
One notable takeaway from Dunleavy’s presser was his insistence that the Warriors expect to add at least one player from this year’s draft. The 2026 class is widely considered one of the strongest in recent years, making this an important opportunity for Golden State to add young talent. While they still have a championship-caliber player in Stephen Curry, he will be 39 years old next March, underscoring the need to add more talent and depth to a roster that finished 37-45 last season and missed the playoffs.
Whether that means drafting at No. 11, trading back for additional picks, or making another move that allows them to add talent elsewhere, Dunleavy made it clear the Warriors will explore every avenue available to improve the roster.
For more on this and other news around the NBA, here is our latest news round-up for Thursday, June 18th:
Warriors News:
Warriors GM Mike Dunleavy optimistic about talks with Draymond Green, Kristaps Porzingis on returning | The Athletic
“I’ve had conversations with kind of all of our free agents,” Dunleavy said during a Wednesday news conference. “Their representatives. I think we’re in a good place with all of them … as far as Draymond and KP, Draymond has the player option, but we’re in communication with his group. Then same thing with KP. Both guys, I think, we value, we want here, and we see them as a kind of (a) piece of the puzzle next season.”
The NBA’s latest (and greatest) draft and trade Intel | The Stein Line
To that end, league sources say, Ament has decided not to work out for the Warriors, who hold the No. 11 pick.
Golden State’s selection has proven to be a spot on the board that various rival teams have begun to pinpoint as a potential trade opportunity … partly because New Orleans is no longer hanging up on teams calling to inquire about two-way wing Trey Murphy III and the Warriors’ longstanding interest in Murphy has been well-chronicled.
The Pelicans are known to “want a lot” for Murphy, as one interested team told The Stein Line last week, but they will at least listen. The Pelicans, furthermore, are also known to be very interested in acquiring a lottery pick for next week’s festivities. New Orleans, at present, only holds No. 58 at the end of next Wednesday’s second round.
List of Warriors’ pre-draft workouts for Thursday headlined by UConn’s Brayden Burries
NBA News:
Best moments from New York Knicks 2026 NBA championship parade | ESPN
The parade begins at 10 a.m. ET with the route starting near Bowling Green in lower Manhattan before going north along Broadway and ending at City Hall. A ceremony will take place at City Hall, and singer Alicia Keys will perform her hit “Empire State of Mind,” which she recorded in 2009 with Jay-Z, following the parade.
Here are all the top sights and sounds from the Knicks’ championship parade.
Update on Wizards’ Trae Young declining $48.97 million player option to become a free agent
In case you missed it at Golden State of Mind:
Caleb Wilson is chasing greatness in the NBA Draft, and he’s ready to save your franchise
Through it all, Wilson never ducked the smoke that comes with being a young superstar. He told reporters he changed his phone background to the McDonald’s All-American Game ahead of an early season showdown with Kansas, because Jayhawks super freshman Darryn Peterson didn’t pass him the ball at the event. He kept a personal “kill list” of opponents he wanted to dominate, and he consistently checked names off the list all year.
As he enters the 2026 NBA Draft, Wilson is embracing the pressure that comes with being a likely top-4 pick.
“I’m going to change their franchise,” Wilson said of the team who drafts him at the combine. “I’m going to change the culture of their franchise and I’m going to change the city, honestly. I’m a culture changer. I did the same thing at North Carolina.”
Follow @unstoppablebaby on X for all the latest news on the Golden State Warriors.
Jalen Brunson silences critics at Knicks parade: 'When you prove them wrong, you don’t have to say s–t'
Jalen Brunson has been proving people wrong his entire life and last Saturday he added another accomplishment to his mantle when he led the Knicks to their first championship in 53 years after toppling the San Antonio Spurs in five games.
It was on the back of Brunson's 45-point barrage in Game 5 that steered New York to another one of its notorious comebacks and sealed his case to be NBA Finals MVP — his third MVP trophy this season after taking home Eastern Conference Finals MVP as well as NBA Cup MVP earlier in the year.
On a grander scale, the point guard's performance on the biggest stage cemented himself as a Knicks all-time great, which was on full display during Thursday's championship parade.
Following speeches by NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani, Knicks owner James Dolan, team president Leon Rose, head coach Mike Brown and others, Brunson was summoned to the podium as the only player to give a speech and received a raucous welcome — even a standing ovation by some — from fans gathered in front of City Hall before chants of "MVP! MVP!" broke out.
The Finals MVP who just finished his fourth season in New York by bringing a championship back to the city began his speech by thanking the front office for "believing in a kid no one else would," his teammates for "giving [him] confidence every single day" and his family for "their sacrifice" for without, nothing would be possible.
Brunson also made sure to shout out the fans, who he admitted can be his biggest critics at times.
"Most importantly, thank you to the fans. I’m not gonna lie, y’all are some pretty hard critics, but we appreciate it," he said. "At least I do. Appreciate it a lot."
Brunson gave himself some time to reflect on the moment while also revealing he had no doubts he and the Knicks would pull it out.
"Damn, we really did it dog. Somehow, someway, I knew we were gonna find a way to get this done," he said.
To close out his speech, Brunson alluded to the haters, of which there are plenty, who have publicly spoken ill of him or his size or his talent in the past. And while the message was clearly directed toward those people, the essence of what he said could apply to anybody going through something similar.
"Lastly, there’s a lot of people that have a lot of negative stuff to say, there’s a lot of people who have a lot of opinions," he said. "But when you prove them wrong you don’t have to say s--t to them. Nah, they don’t deserve it, they don’t deserve it. Appreciate you all, thank you."
Hoosiers Daily News: Indiana alum, NBA Champion OG Anunoby given key to New York City
Indiana men’s basketball program alumnus OG Anunoby helped lead the New York Knicks to their first NBA championship in over five decades this month, earning his second title in the process.
The Knicks were honored on Thursday in New York City with a championship parade that culminated at New York City Hall, where Anunoby was one of multiple players to receive a key to the city from Mayor Zohran Mamdani:
Here’s what you need to know about the Hoosiers today:
ICYMI on The Crimson Quarry
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Jacob Misiorowski wasn’t content being MLB’s hardest-throwing starter. Now he also might be the best
MILWAUKEE — Milwaukee Brewers right-hander Jacob Misiorowski isn’t content with merely being the game’s hardest-throwing starting pitcher.
He’s intent on becoming the best. He already may be there.
The 24-year-old is hitting unprecedented velocities for a starter in MLB’s pitch-tracking era that began in 2008. Over the last month, he’s dominated unlike any pitcher in the last century.
Misiorowski has allowed just one run over his last eight starts heading into his matchup with the Atlanta Braves. He says he can’t come up with a specific moment or decision that sparked this surge.
“It’s more that it finally clicked,” said Misiorowski, who is 8-2 with a 1.34 ERA and 131 strikeouts to lead the majors in the latter two categories. “Everything started settling in and feeling good.”
The fact Misiorowski used the word “finally” to describe an emergence in his first full major league season underscores his exacting standards.
Misiorowski’s rise has Brewers manager Pat Murphy comparing him to Forrest Gump, which prompted a social media post by the pitcher his own face over the Tom Hanks movie character’s body.
“It’s for sure meant to be a compliment for a guy who didn’t put in limits on himself and his naiveté,” Murphy said. “It was a factor in a positive way, where he went out and achieved whatever he set his mind to, and didn’t let the outside forces, weren’t even aware of the outside forces, and didn’t let anything hold him back.”
Misiorowski was selected to the All-Star Game last season after only five starts. He struggled late last year before producing a 1.50 postseason ERA during Milwaukee’s run to the NL Championship Series. Now he’s a Cy Young Award favorite.
Misiorowski is more than just a hard thrower
The eye-popping numbers most associated with Misiorowski come from the radar gun. He reached 104.5 mph — the fastest velocity by any starter in the pitch tracking era — and got to 100 mph on a record 58 pitches during the Brewers’ 6-0 victory over the Philadelphia Phillies.
He’s thrown 460 pitches at least 100 mph this season, already surpassing the record for a starter set by Cincinnati’s Hunter Greene with 337 such pitches in 2022.
But his most impressive statistics have more to do with results than velocity.
According to MLB.com, Misiorowski’s 0.17 ERA since May 1 is the best in an eight-start stretch for any pitcher since earned runs became an official statistic in 1913. Against Philadelphia, he became the third pitcher since 1900 to throw a shutout while striking out 15 and allowing no more than one baserunner.
Opponents are batting just .140 against Misiorowski this season. SportRadar says no starting pitcher has allowed an opponent batting average of .166 or below over a full non-pandemic season since at least 1910. Boston’s Pedro Martinez had batters hitting .167 against him in 2000. Opponents hit .168 against Cleveland’s Luis Tiant in 1968.
Misiorowski’s development into a complete pitcher should come as no surprise, considering who he grew up watching.
The pitchers Miz admires most aren’t necessarily smoke throwers
The list of pitchers he admired growing up includes Adam Wainwright, Zack Greinke, Clayton Kershaw and Chris Sale. While Sale is a hard thrower and Kershaw also had outstanding velocity early in his career, Wainwright and Greinke succeeded without overpowering fastballs.
They had one thing in common.
“Every game, you felt like they could trust them to get a win,” Misiorowski said. “That was the big thing. You looked at those guys and they were going out there and going to perform for seven or eight innings to secure the team a win.”
His appreciation for baseball history includes a baseball card collection he says numbers in the thousands, though he probably owns even more Pokemon cards.
“Since I was a kid, my dad got me into it,” Misiorowski said of his baseball card collection. “It’s huge right now. I think I need to downsize it a little bit, but it’s fun.”
His enthusiasm shows on the mound and in his work ethic. He devoted the offseason to upgrading his leg strength to withstand the rigors of a full season and results are showing in his improved endurance and command.
“He could rest on his laurels. ‘Hey, I was an All-Star in my first year. I pitched in the playoffs. I pitched well. I can do it. I’m fine. I’ll be all right,’“ Murphy said. “Or you can say, ‘I’m going home. I’m going to get stronger. I’m going to do whatever I can do to come back and dominate.’ That’s what he’s done.”
He’s stabilizing an injury-riddled rotation
Misiorowski’s growth has helped the Brewers overcome numerous pitching injuries to build a comfortable NL Central lead. With Misiorowski and Kyle Harrison (8-1, 2.47) leading the rotation, the Brewers rank fourth in the majors in ERA.
Over his last eight starts, Misiorowski has struck out 80 while allowing nine walks and 14 hits over 54 1/3 innings. The only extra-base hit he’s allowed over his last nine starts was a double by Houston’s Isaac Paredes on May 31.
The low walk totals are notable after Misiorowski battled control issues as a rookie. He walked 31 batters in 66 innings last year, but now constantly gets ahead of hitters.
“He’s winning the 0-0 and the 1-1 (counts) a lot,” pitching coach Chris Hook said. “When he doesn’t, it stands out to be like, ‘Oh, God, he didn’t win the 0-0. He didn’t win the 1-1.’ Like that’s weird, for him to go to a two-ball count.”
Once hitters fall behind in the count, they have little chance.
After facing him for the first time last month, New York Yankees slugger and three-time MVP Aaron Judge noted that “he’s almost basically releasing it in the catcher’s glove” due to the extension Misiorowski gets with his 6-foot-7 frame.
MLB Network analyst and two-time All-Star pitcher Ryan Dempster says Misiorowski reminds him of 6-10 Hall of Fame lefty Randy Johnson in that regard because their hands seem right in front of the plate to the batter when they let go of the ball.
“You can tell yourself to swing, but your brain doesn’t quite compute until it’s out of the hand,” Dempster said. “By the time it’s out of his hand, it’s already on you. I haven’t seen a fastball like this since Kerry Wood.”
Wood’s career was derailed by injuries, leading to worries of hard throwers being susceptible to blowing out pitching arms. Dempster notes Misiorowski is playing in an era with lower pitch counts. Misiorowski also produces elite velocity without overthrowing.
“He sure is repeating his delivery, and when you repeat your delivery, you tend to stay healthy,” Dempster said. “Guys who don’t repeat deliveries and get out of whack and something’s a little off, they struggle with that. I really think he will stay healthy, just me personally.”
Zohran Mamdani gave a legendary sports speech at the Knicks rally
Politicians always speak at team victory rallies after the city wins a championship, but often in broad tones. They only talk about the star players, give kudos to the owner, and generally don’t show a lot of understanding when it comes to the team itself, the history, or the significance of the moment.
New York City mayor Zohan Mamdani flipped the script on Thursday when he stepped to the mic at the Knicks victory rally and delivered one of the most incredible, insightful, and inspiring speeches that a public official has delivered about a team. You don’t need to agree with his politics, or even like him as a person to appreciate that this is a guy who really knows the team he’s talking about.
The first part of the speech was focused on the city. How the pain, and anticipation became part of the fabric of the city. Mamdani highlighted the fans watching games on the street through the windows of electronic shops, at the bar, alone in their apartments, or shoulder-to-shoulder at the bar. It’s here he shouted out not just Knicks legends, but iconic moments and superfans. It was a heck of a way to kick things off.
As amazing as this way was, the second was almost better. Showing an unreal understanding of team building, Mamdani gave shout-outs to a lot of the players who are no longer with the team, but who helped build the culture of the 2025-26 Knicks to become champions — and even gave credit to Tom Thibodeau for his guidance before turning the team over.
This will truly rank among the great sports speeches of all time. Not just by a politician at a victory rally, but ever. It was pretty much perfect.
Boston Bruins are retiring Patrice Bergeron's No. 37 next season
BOSTON (AP) — The Boston Bruins said Thursday they are retiring Patrice Bergeron’s No. 37 as part of a ceremony next season.
The date will be shared later, following the NHL schedule release that is expected next month.
Bergeron is set to join fellow 2011 Stanley Cup champion Zdeno Chara with his number in the rafters. Bergeron, when it happens, will be the 14th player to have his number retired by the storied franchise.
He spent his entire 19-year career in the league with the Bruins, playing 1,464 games counting the regular season and playoffs. That included the title run in 2011 and more trips to the final in ’13 and '19.
“Patrice was the kind of rare, generational talent that every team wanted,” owner Jeremy Jacobs said in a statement. “He was a deftly skilled playmaker and the undeniable greatest defensive forward in the NHL’s history. But it was the leadership he provided on the ice and in the locker room that made him truly stand apart and an all-time legend of the Boston Bruins.”
Bergeron succeeded Chara as captain in 2020 and served three seasons in that role before retiring. He called this an honor that is difficult to put into words.
“When I arrived in Boston as an 18-year-old, I could never have imagined receiving this recognition one day," Bergeron said. “I have always believed that any success I had was only possible because of the people around me. I was fortunate to play alongside incredible teammates, learn from outstanding coaches and staff and be supported by an organization that believed in me from the very beginning.”
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AP NHL: https://apnews.com/NHL
GUARDIANS AT BREWERS, Drohan vs. Messick, discussion
Here’s the Guardians’ lineup:
Here’s the Brewers’ lineup:
Let’s go, Guardians!