The New York Knicks are known for rolling out the celebrity carpet for those who sit in the famed courtside seats, and they continue to bring out the big guns for NBA Finals halftime entertainment.
For Game 3 of the NBA Finals between the Knicks and the San Antonio Spurs, the halftime entertainment at Madison Square Garden was Cardi B, a Bronx native.
Game 4's halftime show will be Staten Island's own Wu-Tang Clan.
The iconic rap group with members the RZA, the GZA, Inspectah Deck, Raekwon the Chef, U-God, Ghostface Killah and Method Man, along with Masta Killa and Cappadonna, will take the court on Wednesday, June 10 before heading back on their tour in late August.
Once they conclude their final stop of Wu-Tang Forever: The Final Chamber in Phoenix, Arizona, on Oct. 4, the group will be inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in November.
The latest updates on the Giannis Antetokounmpo trade situation feel more like confirmations of things we already knew and expected. Things have largely felt quiet on the Antetokounmpo front, and Adam Silver and the league are good with that — they would like to avoid a repeat of last year, when the news of Kevin Durant's trade to Houston fell on the day of Game 7 of the NBA Finals and changed the conversation around the biggest game of the year.
There is an increasing belief in league circles that the trade will fall before the NBA Draft, reports Jake Fischer and Marc Stein of The Stein Line. That report also says the Bucks want to wait until after the NBA Finals to secure a deal, just to see if another team wants to jump into the mix — ideally the Celtics, at least from Antetokounmpo's and the Bucks' perspective. However, Boston has shown no real signs of interest.
One clear sign that the Bucks' plan to get this deal done before the draft: They are acting like a team that will have more than one high pick this year (they already have the No. 10 pick, their own), the report notes. It's worth adding that the Miami Heat have the No. 13 pick in this draft, which brings us to another point from that same report.
Miami remains frontrunner, Portland interested
Miami has been the clear frontrunner to land Giannis Antetokounmpo in a trade for some time and nothing has changed, reports Fischer and Stein. There are good reasons Miami is at the front of the pack, the pair notes.
• Antetokounmpo reportedly is open to going there (and because he only has one guaranteed season left on his contract, he has leverage in any trade by saying he will not sign an extension somewhere he does not want to be).
• The Heat are in the East, and Antetokounmpo reportedly wants to stay in the East.
• Miami can put together a compelling — and probably best available — trade package centered around All-Star Tyler Hero, promising young center Kel'el Ware and multiple first-round draft picks.
The rest of the market remains tepid for Antetokounmpo. The Bucks and Knicks talked last summer, but New York is playing in the NBA Finals as this all goes down and is not about to blow up this roster. The Cavaliers don't want to trade former Defensive Player of the Year Evan Mobley, and that was their only viable path to a deal. Teams in the West that might be a fit (like Minnesota) have not come hard because Antetokounmpo wants to stay in the East.
That said, Portland has made it known it still wants Antetokounmpo and would like to talk about a deal, but Stein and Fischer report it's more likely the Trail Blazers are the third team in a deal (Milwaukee would like to get back some of the draft picks it sent to Portland in the Damian Lillard trade).
LeBron likely stays in LA, Warriors interested
The Antetokounmpo domino has to fall before a number of other major deals — like a Ja Morant trade — go down. LeBron James' future is also on that list, but Stein and Fischer report the most likely outcome is him remaining with the Lakers "because he is so entrenched" with the organization (he's been there eight years) and with his family in Los Angeles. That includes his son, Bronny James, who remains on the Lakers roster.
That said, the pair says the Warriors are "legitimately interested" in pairing LeBron with Stephen Curry, Draymond Green, and (once he's healed from his torn ACL) Jimmy Butler in the Bay Area. Part of the pitch is that LeBron could "commute" to Los Angeles at points in the season relatively easily and not have to uproot his family.
The Curry/LeBron/Butler/Green core would be box office gold for the Warriors (and the league's broadcast partners) and a good team in the West, though not really a threat to Oklahoma City or San Antonio. Having four core players all age 37 or older also is a recipe for a busy medical staff.
It still all comes down to money with LeBron. At best, with some roster manipulation, the Warriors could offer LeBron the $15.1 million mid-level exception (that would hard cap the Warriors at the first tax apron, and they are currently just a little more than $19 million under that line, but with at least four more roster spots to fill after a hypothetical LeBron addition).
The Lakers can offer whatever they wish to LeBron, they have his Bird rights. That said, the organization is prioritizing re-signing Austin Reaves (also a free agent) and retooling the roster with players who better fit with Luka Doncic and his skill set. Lakers fans expecting major roster moves or even a radical overhaul of the role players on the team may want to prep themselves for a more status quo offseason, league sources told NBC Sports.
LeBron and his agent, Rich Paul, are reportedly going to ask for the max from the Lakers and want to know how the Lakers plan to spend that money if they are offering less, which is really a complicated way of saying they want to know what the Lakers' plans are.
It's easy to imagine LeBron returning to the Lakers on something like a two-year, $50 million contract with a player option on the second year and a no-trade clause. Maybe easier than imagining him in the Bay Area.
Jun 8, 2026; New York, New York, USA; San Antonio Spurs guard Stephon Castle (5) reacts in the fourth quarter against the New York Knicks during game three of the 2026 NBA Finals at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images | Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
The San Antonio Spurs were knocked off their rocker in the first two games of the NBA Finals at home by the New York Knicks. Entering as heavy favorites, many Spurs players eased off the gas pedal.
UConn’s Stephon Castle averaged 15.5 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 4.5 assists across those first two games. However, he was part of a critical turnover in the final seconds of Game 2. With 14 seconds left in a tie game, Victor Wembenyama grabbed a rebound off a Jalen Brunson miss and raced up the floor. With Castle in front of him, Wemby passed the ball off his back the second Castle looked away. Brunson snatched the loose ball and secured the Knicks’ second straight road victory to open the finals.
Monday’s game 3 was the most important game of Castle’s young career. A sold-out Madison Square Garden with many important folks in attendance surely would be too much pressure for the 21-year-old, right? The Knicks looked to slam the door shut and go up 3 games to none, as no team has come back from a 3-0 deficit in NBA history. Castle started off the night with an 18 point 1st half, hitting an early triple to get San Antonio moving. He threw the first punch early, as the Spurs struggled to open the first two games in the series.
Castle ended the night with 23 points on 8-for-14 shooting, including knocking down the dagger 3-pointer to go up 7 with under 2 minutes to play.
Another late Knicks comeback saw them down two points with 6 seconds remaining, as they sent Castle to the charity stripe with the game on the line. The forward buried both free throws and the Spurs held on to take Game 3, making the series 2-1.
“I expect us to win the next three. Those first two games really hurt. I feel like it was an eye-opener for us… We wanna punch first and be on the front foot,” Castle said in an interview with ESPN.
ESPN currently has the Spurs at +160 to win the championship, with the Knicks at -190 odds. No team in NBA history has won the NBA Finals after dropping the first two games at home.
San Antonio looks to steal another game on the road as Game 4 tips off Wednesday at 8:30 p.m. on ABC.
When matchups for the 2026 SEC/ACC Challenge were revealed last week, the LSU men’s basketball program was handed a home game against Wake Forest — meaning that, for at least one year, Tigers coach Will Wade was spared from having to square off against NC State, where he coached last season.
The mercurial coach’s battle with his former employer, though, is far from over.
Three months after Wade left the Wolfpack, NC State has launched an investigation into whether LSU violated North Carolina law by persuading Wade to return to the Tigers, according to letters between lawyers from the two universities that were obtained by WRAL in Raleigh, North Carolina.
In one of the more notable moves in this year’s coaching carousel, Wade resigned from NC State on March 25 after only one season before being announced one day later as the head coach at LSU, where he had previously coached from 2017-22.
According to WRAL, NC State is refusing to release LSU from potential legal action as the university examines whether the Tigers violated North Carolina’s Unfair and Deceptive Trade Practices Act. NC State said it has reason to believe LSU may have worked with Wade for the new coach to avoid a larger buyout when he left the Wolfpack.
Wade had agreed to pay NC State a $4 million buyout, which LSU passed along in early May. Wade’s buyout had been set to drop from $5 million to $3 million on April 1, but the two sides negotiated a figure in the middle so that Wade could leave and the Wolfpack could begin their search for a new coach.
“The timing and circumstances of Coach Wade’s departure from Raleigh and his resignation, along with the LSU term sheet, and the eventual (buyout) payment of $4 million to NC State raise questions about LSU’s potential liability in this matter,” NC State General Counsel Allison B. Newhart wrote in correspondence to LSU General Counsel Carlton Jones, which was obtained by WRAL.
In a June 4 letter, NC State wrote that it would not agree to a mutual release and settlement agreement LSU sent two weeks earlier. In the letter, Newhart wrote that the Tigers may have “influenced efforts to avoid or delay notice to NC State of LSU’s recruitment of Coach Wade and perhaps even the timing of Coach Wade’s employment with LSU in order to avoid larger buyout fees.”
Wade’s exit marked the end of months of speculation that linked him to LSU, which fired coach Matt McMahon the same day Wade was hired after the former Murray State coach went 60-70 in four seasons in Baton Rouge.
Can the Spurs continue the trend of the visiting team winning every game in this year's Finals? Or will the Knicks bounce back and put aside any outside distractions to take a commanding 3-1 series lead?
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Spurs Game 4 computer picks
Dylan Harper Under 6.5 rebounds (-120)
Projection: 4.49 rebounds
Our prop projections rank this as a five-star play, showing a 26.48% EV edge. Yes, Dylan Harper snared nine rebounds in Game 3, but the market has gone too far the other way.
Seven boards is a high number, and our model sees him grabbing four or five.
span style="font-size: 14px;"🔥/span spanBet Harper Now at bet365!/span
De'Aaron Fox Over 14.5 points (+100)
Projection: 16.92 points
De'Aaron Fox's efficiency has taken a hit in this series, but he's still taking double-digit shots in each outing. Our projections expect a similar night to Game 2, where he dropped 20 points on 75% shooting.
span style="font-size: 14px;"🔥/span spanBet fox Now at bet365!/span
Julian Champagnie Over 2.5 threes (+145)
Projection: 2.58 threes
Julian Champagnie is an excellent 3-and-D player for the San Antonio Spurs, and he's not afraid to shoot the rock. The wing has cleared this line in two of three games vs. the New York Knicks, and we're getting juicy odds for him to do so again.
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Knicks Game 4 computer picks
Jalen Brunson Under 27.5 points (-120)
Projection: 24.75 points
Jalen Brunson cannot find any real consistency against the Spurs. It took him 25 shots to reach 32 points on Monday, and our model projects he'll come close to 25 points tonight. Even a 27-point effort still puts him Under the number.
span style="font-size: 14px;"🔥/span spanBet brunson Now at bet365!/span
Josh Hart Under 1.5 threes (-112)
Projection: 1.17 threes
Josh Hart drilled four threes for New York in Game 3 after hitting zero in the first two outings. Hart is a capable shooter, but the Spurs will place greater emphasis on shutting him down on the perimeter now that he's proven to be a threat.
span style="font-size: 14px;"🔥/span spanBet hart Now at bet365!/span
Karl-Anthony Towns Over 3.5 assists (-112)
Projection: 4.84 assists
Karl-Anthony Towns has the ball in his hands a lot throughout the game, and he makes the best read more often than not. His kickouts often lead to buckets, and our model sees him getting at least four dimes tonight.
span style="font-size: 14px;"🔥/span spanBet towns Now at bet365!/span
How to watch Spurs vs Knicks Game 4
Location
Madison Square Garden, New York, NY
Date
Wednesday, June 10, 2026
Tip-off
8:30 p.m. ET
TV
ESPN/ABC
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The president, though, seemed to have a positive experience. He told reporters the following day that he heard "mostly cheers" from the crowd.
Still, some Knicks fans would seem to prefer he passes on Game 4 at the Garden on June 10. Here's what know about his possible attendance and fans' reactions.
Knicks fans give Trump mixed blame for Game 3 loss
After Game 3, Knicks fans had mixed opinions about whether Trump's attendance affected the outcome.
"I blame Trump," fan Ty Jackson told Reuters outside the Garden.
"I don't think it was Trump's fault but the aura – like the fact that they had to show him on the jumbotron, everybody was booing him, like we shouldn't even have to do that, we should be cheering," another, Taylor Perlmutter, told the outlet.
On social media, the consensus was similarly divided.
"I blame Trump for this Knicks loss. Bad juju," one person wrote on X.
"If you play badly, admit it," another X user said. "If you can't beat them, practice. Don't scapegoat the president next time, it's embarrassing."
Is Trump attending NBA Finals Game 4?
The White House has not confirmed whether or not Trump will be attending the next game at Madison Square Garden, though many signs are pointing to him not being there.
As of 9 a.m. ET on June 10, the president's schedule does not show a planned trip to New York.
ESPN's senior NBA insider Shams Charania also reported that Trump is not expected to attend due to scheduling conflicts.
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani also announced that a watch party outside the Garden was back on for Game 4 after the previous one was canceled, in part because of heightened security in the area.
Stephen A. Smith, Cardi B among those blaming Trump for Knicks loss
Some celebrities are even joining the chorus of those Knicks fans aiming fault at the president.
"It has nothing to do with politics. Zero," Smith said. "It has everything to do with the fervor and the momentum that exists surrounding the New York Knicks and he is singlehandedly disrupting everything that the New York Knicks have been vibing with."
"I think he's a nice guy, but you need a certain aptitude to run for president. You need a high IQ. I'm not sure that Stephen has that. I don't think he does actually," Trump told reporters.
Smith later doubled down on his opinion that the president interrupted the team's "mojo."
The Bronx-born rapper responded to a comment during an Instagram Live session after the game asking whether Trump was "bad luck" for the team.
"It probably was. But it is what it is," she said, per social media reposts. "You can't stop the president from … going to a game. But it did feel a little dark in there."
"It felt like the principal was there, and everybody had to be on their best behavior," she added. "But, nevertheless."
Charlamagne tha God, Charles Barkley address Trump's affect on NBA Finals
On the other side of the conversation, some big names weren't quick to point blame at Trump for the Spurs win.
Former NBA star Charles Barkley said the Knicks simply did not play to their full potential.
"That has nothing to do with it," he told TikToker Adam Glyn when asked whether Trump's attendance could have influenced the game. "I thought the Spurs outplayed them."
Similarly, Charlamagne tha God also said on "The Breakfast Club" that the outcome of the game was not tied to the president, though his being there did have an affect on fans.
"Donald Trump wasn't responsible for the loss of the game, but he was responsible for the loss of joy that the New York Knicks fans had been feeling," he said.
Melina Khan is a national trending reporter for USA TODAY. Keep up with her on X @melinakh and Instagram @bymelinakhan.
The feud between United States President Donald Trump and ESPN personality Stephen A. Smith continued Wednesday, June 10, as the two trade barbs about one another in public forums since Trump's NBA Finals appearances.
Trump escalated his criticism of Smith's rumored political aspirations in an early morning post on his Truth Social site. The President declared Smith an "arrogant fool" and "dumb as a rock, and totally unqualified to ever think of running for high political office, or low political office for that matter!"
"This is about an individual engaging in a level of narcissism that really rakes my freakin' nerves," Smith said. "He's got no business here tonight. It has nothing to do with politics. It was everything to do with the fervor that exists around the New York Knicks and he is disrupting everything the Knicks have been vibing with."
"I think he's a nice guy, but you need a certain aptitude to run for president," Trump said. "You need a high IQ. I'm not sure that Stephen has that. I don't think he does actually."
Smith fired back on Tuesday during ESPN's "First Take" and his podcast, and challenged Trump to a one-on-one debate regarding the president's "IQ" remark. Using patriotic music as a backdrop, Smith told viewers that, "obviously, I'm blaming him" for the Knicks Game 3 loss.
He then criticized Trump for the traffic around Madison Square Garden, the cancellation of the Knicks watch party outside the arena for fans that couldn't afford Finals tickets, and the loss of business in the surrounding area because of the security protocols in place for the presidential visit. Smith also attacked Trump for appearing to fall asleep in some photos taken of him at the game.
"If it was that important for you to be there, why did you look like you were asleep?" Smith said. "Didn’t you call out former President Joe Biden, 'Sleepy Joe'? Well, what should we call you? Cause you weren’t awake."
"To see them in this position and to disrupt the momentum they've built, I called narcissistic and selfish," Smith added later on his podcast. "Why would I do such a thing? Because it's Donald Trump, that's why. Because it's factually correct, that's why. Because he had no business at the game."
Smith's podcast has served as a platform for his political commentary separate from ESPN in recent years. He has been mentioned as a potential presidential candidate, though Smith has thus far not run for any political office. It's a possibility that Trump seemed to take aim at in his latest response on Wednesday morning.
"He'd get annihilated in a debate by the most incompetent of politicians," Trump wrote on Truth Social. "Joe Biden's now 'fabled' performance would look great by comparison to anything that this loudmouth huckster has to offer, which isn't much! Within a few weeks, they'd laugh him out of politics!!!"
ESPN's "First Take" was scheduled to begin only a few hours later. Surely, Smith has something to say back.
Despite walking into a raucous Madison Square Garden trailing the series 2–0, the San Antonio Spurs have regained traction after a road win in Game 3.
With Game 4 set to tip off at 8:30 p.m. ET tonight, bet365 has New York billed as 2.5-point favorites to bounce back at the Garden, and our Covers experts have you primed with their bestNBA picksfor Wednesday, June 10.
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Jon Metler's expert pick: Karl-Anthony Towns Over 17.5 points
Price: -115 at bet365
Jalen Brunson is facing constant pressure from the San Antonio Spurs and is having to work far too hard for every point. With officials allowing a physical style of play, the New York Knicks need to make a concerted effort to feature Karl-Anthony Towns more in Game 4.
Towns is playing with tremendous confidence right now, and his five-out spacing presents a unique challenge for both the Spurs and Victor Wembanyama. Towns can stretch the floor, attack hard closeouts, and put the ball on the deck to finish at the rim, making him one of the toughest matchup problems on the court.
I expect Towns to benefit from the defensive attention Brunson commands, serving as a natural pressure-release option throughout the game. Whether it's a direct feed from Brunson or a touch against a rotating defense after the ball swings through Mikal Bridges or OG Anunoby, Towns should consistently find himself in advantageous scoring situations.
At 17.5 points, I'm backing the Over, a number I make closer to -165.
Jason Logan's expert pick: Josh Hart Over 10.5 points
Price: +100 at bet365
It’s wild to think that Josh Hart was the Knicks’ best shooter in the Game 3 loss (6-for-10), but it’s a fact the Spurs are happy to live with. San Antonio is assigning Wembanyama to Hart, allowing him to sag off and stay closer to the rim with little long-range threat from New York’s wily guard.
However, with the Knicks preaching more off-ball activity in Game 4 and Towns operating as a passer from the high post against smaller defenders, Hart will find even more room to operate tonight. He’s taken 19 shots in the NBA Finals, and 13 of them haven’t had a defender within at least six feet.
Hart also does his best work in MSG, averaging almost 13 points per home game in the playoffs on 46% shooting, compared to just 8.4 points on 40% shooting on the road.
Game 4 models range from 10.8 to a ceiling of 12+ points, with my number north of 11 points. That should have the Over 10.5 priced at -115, but we’re getting EVEN money on Hart to build on a 16-point effort in Game 3.
Joe Osborne's expert pick: Spurs team total Over 107.5
Price: -108 at bet365
I'm backing the Spurs to keep their offensive momentum rolling in Game 4. They came alive again in Game 3, producing a series-high 115 points, which continued a theme we've seen throughout the playoffs.
San Antonio has consistently been a better offensive team away from home, posting stronger numbers across most key metrics and clearing this mark of 107.5 in all 10 of their road playoff games.
The MSG spotlight clearly wasn't too big for them, and I expect another productive offensive performance tonight.
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change. Not intended for use in MA. Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.
BOSTON, MA - MAY 2: Jaylen Brown #7 of the Boston Celtics shoots a free throw during the game against the Philadelphia 76ers during Round One Game Seven of the 2026 NBA Playoffs on May 2, 2026 at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The NBA offseason will officially arrive in a matter of days, and while the New York Knicks and San Antonio Spurs slug it out in the 2026 NBA Finals, the league’s other 28 teams are already positioning themselves for their summer moves. The league’s trade landscape is already coming into focus, with Giannis Antetokounmpo as a possible first domino and more big names potentially on the move.
Let’s dive into some rumors already popping up during the NBA Finals.
Hornets, Kings talking Domantas Sabonis trade
The Charlotte Hornets could make a big leap in the Eastern Conference next year, but they need more toughness inside. Charlotte caught fire once the calendar flipped to January 1, finishing the regular season 33-16 with the league’s best net-rating, but their lack of size was exposed in their play-in tournament elimination.
The Hornets are talking to the Sacramento Kings about a trade for Domantas Sabonis, according to Sam Amick of The Athletic. Charlotte holds the No. 14 and No. 18 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, and Sacramento reportedly wants one of those selections to part with their highly productive big man. So far the Hornets haven’t been willing to meet that asking price.
Sabonis is a three-time All-Star and two-time All-NBA selection who recently turned 30. He has two years, $94 million remaining on his contract. The Kings are potentially over the luxury tax next season if they don’t cut salary, and could be motivated to get a deal done. Sabonis is one of the very best rebounders in the league while also being a gifted playmaker, solid interior scorer, and efficient low-volume three-point shooter.
This feels like a good match for both teams, but Charlotte would be smart not to give up a top-20 pick for him at that salary.
Celtics not looking to trade Jaylen Brown, per report
Jaylen Brown had a career year for the Boston Celtics this season during Jayson Tatum’s prolonged absence, going as far to call it his “favorite year” of his basketball career. That rubbed some Boston fans the wrong way given that Brown was named NBA Finals MVP on the Celtics 2024 championship team, and it sets up a potentially odd dynamic with Tatum fully back in the mix next season.
The Celtics have been mentioned as a possible Giannis suitor, and that would require shipping Brown out to a third team. NBA insider Sam Amick said pump the breaks on any Brown trade talk, telling a local Boston outlet “There’s no sign that they’re putting Jaylen out there at all.”
.@sam_amick on the latest he is hearing about the #Celtics potentially trading Jaylen Brown this offseason:
Brown is owed $183 million over the next three seasons. That’s a massive contract even for someone as good as he is. The Celtics will be one of the most fascinating teams to monitor this summer as they look to challenge the Knicks at the top of the East in the 2027 playoffs.
Want Trey Murphy III? The Pelicans reportedly want help now, not picks
Trey Murphy III is one of the most coveted players potentially available on the trade market this summer. The Pelicans’ wing will be 26 years old for next season, and he’s one of the better shooters and off-ball scorers in the NBA.
Don’t think the Pelicans are going to trade Murphy for picks just because the team has finished with 21 and 26 wins the last two seasons. New Orleans wants players who can help now, not future assets, for Murphy if he is moved, according to insider Jake Fischer.
“Other teams Absolutely want him (Trey Murphy) .. If the Pelicans were to move Trey Murphy it would be for more of a buying now get better type of acquisition.” @JakeLFischer on Trey Murphy trade rumors pic.twitter.com/z03jojvI1y
The rest of the NBA should be circling the Pelicans’ front office to make a deal. New Orleans’ was panned for giving up its unprotected 2026 first-round pick for Derik Queen last summer, though that pick only came in at No. 8 overall in the lottery. Front office leaders Joe Dumars and Troy Weaver aren’t shy about trying to make a big splash, and that could put them in a desperate position to improve the team.
DURHAM, NORTH CAROLINA - MARCH 07: Caleb Wilson #8 of the North Carolina Tar Heels looks on prior to the game against the Duke Blue Devils at Cameron Indoor Stadium on March 07, 2026 in Durham, North Carolina. Wilson will miss the game due to injury. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The exercise of comparing draft prospects has driven me nuts for years. For a time, seemingly every wing with a good vertical was the next Michael Jordan. Tall kid who can dribble? The Next Magic. White forward who can shoot? Larry Bird.
In this draft, AJ Dybantsa has been comped to Tracy McGrady and Andrew Wiggins, who are basically nothing alike. There’s a draft site out there that lists Dybantsa’s comps as McGrady and…Scottie Pippen? What?
Darryn Peterson’s NBA comp, according to this site is Devin Booker. Maybe?
Cam Boozer got Al Horford, which might make sense if Horford had been a big-time scorer with top-shelf three-point shooting.
Caleb Wilson, who could theoretically be a Wizards target in a trade down scenario, was tagged with Jermaine O’Neal and Chris Bosh, who once again were not very similar as players.
This site says comps for Darius Acuff Jr., the last player FanDuel says has a chance to be the number one pick in the draft, are Tim Hardaway and Damian Lillard, which…I guess? I mean, they’re both smaller guards, but Hardaway played more of a PG role — lower usage, more steals — and didn’t shoot as well. Lillard played in an era where more rigid roles were dying out and did more scoring along with playmaking. And he shot better than Hardaway.
Anyway, I’m a stat dork, so I modified the statistical doppelganger machine I made for NBA players and deployed it on Ye Olde Draft Analyzer (YODA), my stat-based draft prospect evaluation tool. Now, the doppelganger machine doesn’t work quite as well on draft prospects, but I’m still asking it to work with YODA and give us who they think are the top NBA comps for the five theoretical possible Wizards draft picks at number one.
AJ Dybantsa | F | BYU
Is AJ Dybantsa’s best NBA comparison really Blake Griffin? | Getty Images
Top Comp: Blake Griffin. Interesting because one of the first things that jumps off the screen is a difference — Griffin was a big-time rebounder at Oklahoma (17.3 per 40 minutes) and Dybantsa is not. But, the usage, scoring, overall efficiency, and steals are close. Both had superb verticals, as well.
Runners-Up:
Michael Beasley — impressive college player (also grabbed many more rebounds than Dybantsa) who scored in bunches. Crashed and burned in the NBA.
Brandon Ingram — lower usage and not as efficient or productive overall as Dybantsa, but similar scoring forward profile.
Darryn Peterson | G | Kansas
Is Darryn Peterson more like Kyrie Irving or Devin Booker? | Getty Images
Top Comp: Kyrie Irving. Not what I was expecting. But as I eyeball the numbers, I see similar scoring (though Irving was more efficient), steals and blocks. Peterson did more rebounding. Irving did more playmaking. Both missed significant chunks of the season due to injury or health issues.
Runners-Up:
Jalen Suggs — psychotic competitor who keeps hurting himself by attempting to make plays with complete disregard to his health and safety.
Jalen Green — similar pattern of production
Cam Boozer | F | Duke
Which comp feels more right for Cam Boozer, Anthony Davis or Kevin Love? | Getty Images
Top Comp: Anthony Davis. Worth mention that basically no one in the database shows up as a strong statistical comp for Boozer. He’s a unique conglomeration of hyper-efficient, high-volume scoring, plus elite rebounding. Davis was a dominating defender with similar efficiency on lower volume. He blocked lots more shots than Boozer. Boozer got more assists. Overall YODA score was pretty similar — both have grades in YODA consistent with being the number one pick in nearly any draft I’ve evaluated.
Runners-Up:
Marvin Bagley III — This guy was so good at Duke that a number of teams had him rated ahead of Luka Doncic.
Kevin Love — This one feels the most right. Love was accused of lacking the athleticism to be an effective NBA player. He ended up a five-time All-Star and two-time second team All-NBA. He’d likely have tallied more of each if he hadn’t played for a dumpster-fire franchise. Seriously, one season he was the only member of the Minnesota Timberwolves with an above average PPA. The Wizards should be so lucky.
Caleb Wilson | F | North Carolina
The Machines look at Caleb Wilson and see the next Kevin Love. | Getty Images
Top Comp: Kevin Love. Which doesn’t feel right at all. Except, the numbers are reasonably similar. Love was the more prolific and accurate three-point shooter, but the rebounding, assists, blocks, turnovers, fouls, scoring and overall efficiency are pretty close. Wilson generated more steals. Fascinating.
Runners-Up:
Blake Griffin. Again. I’m starting to wonder if the doppelganger machine and YODA are just hitting ctrl+c over and over. But…when I look at the numbers, it makes some sense — Love and Griffin were fairly similar, so if a guy is similar to one, he’s similar to the other.
Victor Wembanyama — There are some definite differences. The Machines are picking up similar usage, poor three-point shooting (Wemby shot 27.2% from deep in the season he entered the NBA Draft), rebounding, and scoring. Wemby was less efficient and higher usage, and he blocked a lot more shots. There overall YODA scores are very close — Wemby’s season in France wasn’t mind-blowingly great. He still had a score consistent with being the top pick in most drafts, as does Wilson.
Darius Acuff Jr. | G | Arkansas
Should the Wizards draft Darius Acuff Jr., who The Machines say might be the next John Wall. | Getty Images
Top Comp: John Wall. This makes some sense considering they were both coached by John Calipari, who’s still running the dribble drive motion system he used when Wall played for him at Kentucky. There are differences — Acuff was lots more efficient — especially from three-point range. The other stats are pretty similar — Wall had some rebounds, but assists, free throw attempts, and fouls were about the same. Wall produced more blocks and steals, as well as more turnovers. Still, it all tallies up to similar YODA scores — top 3-5 in most drafts, top pick in a few.
Runners-Up:
Ty Lawson — Superb shooter and playmaker, who played at North Carolina. He had some quality performances in the NBA, though is career got derailed by some personal issues.
Derrick Rose — Hmm, another Calipari guy. Have The Machines figured it out?
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - MAY 8: NBA referee Tony Brothers #25 looks on during the game between the San Antonio Spurs and Minnesota Timberwolves during Round Two Game Three of the 2026 NBA Playoffs on May 8, 2026 at Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
“Pretty unprofessional, huh?”
Wolves coach Chris Finch sat behind a table in the Target Center media room after a 115-108 Game 3 loss to the San Antonio Spurs in the Western Conference semifinals. Clearly ready to get something off his chest, he was asked about a second-half mid-court conflict with veteran NBA official Tony Brothers.
Wanting to call a timeout and reorganize his group, he felt as though Brothers disregarded his job and ignored him.
He let him know that. Brothers took exception.
Instead of a typical technical foul and a warning issued to go back to the bench, the grizzled crew chief took things a step further…quite literally.
“He clearly heard me,” Finch said when recounting the situation of asking for a timeout and getting ignored. “It almost cost us a turnover…he lost it.”
Following a six-point loss in which the Wolves were -12 in the free-throw disparity, and a game that saw plenty of stoppages, you might think that the website you’re reading this on prequalifies this piece to be a “the refs cost the Wolves the series” soliloquy.
Not quite. Much of the Wolves’ free-throw discrepancy throughout the series came from a tentativeness in attacking the basket after saying they would be unrelenting in doing so after Game 1.
However, when themes keep coming up from multiple people who are given a microphone around the league, one thing to me remains relatively common. Including Castle himself recently, talking about selling contact and the trend in doing so around the league.
Stephon Castle:
"I sell calls too sometimes. I mean I can't lie. I think we talk to the refs a lot, especially me in particular but most of the times they're right" pic.twitter.com/y4YPNZuneS
That doesn’t count some of the playoff tangents we’ve had, including tenured veteran Devin Booker going out of his way after Game 2 of the Phoenix Suns’ series with Oklahoma City to call James Williams out BY NAME.
Whoa…. Devin Booker just WENT OFF on the NBA refs right now in the post game press conference:
"It's definitely something that has to be looked at. I heard (Alex) Caruso tell them to call the tech and he ended up doing it. In my 11 years, I haven't called a ref out by name,… pic.twitter.com/lfc7UBBue5
— Ahmed/The Ears/IG: BigBizTheGod 🇸🇴 (@big_business_) April 23, 2026
There are plenty of examples of frustration with NBA officiating. Perhaps brought to its peak when the Oklahoma City Thunder played a series against a Los Angeles Lakers team that always has millions of eyes on it and a fanbase not afraid to speak its mind, questions and tension between fans, players, coaches, and those instructed to keep the game together have reached a point where the NBA simply has two options.
1). Completely ignore the situation – The worst option. This pisses fans off more who clearly want answers to why games are so different from a flow perspective on a nightly basis
2). Address the issue with changes – I’ll talk about this soon, but I believe there are a couple of clear-cut, subtle ways in which the NBA can make the game easier on its officials while making a game already played a rapid pace more fun to watch.
So, blog boy, what issues could be smoothed over that could be the cure-all, if you know so much?
PHOENIX, ARIZONA – APRIL 25: Devin Booker #1 of the Phoenix Suns talks with referee Tyler Ford #39 during the second half in Game Three of the Western Conference First Round NBA Playoffs at Mortgage Matchup Center on April 25, 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Thunder defeated the Suns 121-109. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Stop Discouraging Pace
It’s truly underrated how much faster the NBA has gotten over the last 20 years.
In the 2011-12 regular season, the Sacramento Kings led the NBA with a PACE metric of 97.3 (the number of possessions a team uses per game).
This past season, the slowest team in PACE was the Boston Celtics, with a metric of…97.7.
Shots go up quicker. Teams move faster. And for some reason, games could not go any slower.
It’s simple. Refs are having a hard time making the right call with a game moving as fast as it is, and the fear of getting every call right tends to send them to the monitor more than they should. Furthermore, the amount of time spent at the monitor for simple calls like an out-of-bounds play, flagrant, or goaltend is painstaking.
Adam Silver has come out and said the NBA plans to augment this with an AI officiating system for calls like this. I’m not sure AI is necessarily the answer here, but could something similar to what the NFL has with the sky judge be implemented here? Perhaps a 10-second stoppage in play if the call is extremely questionable to hear from a sky judge, or additional official watching 2-3 different angles in Seacaucus that can call this out?
With gambling culture becoming rampant, I understand officials wearing an earpiece can be shady, but it’s better than what we have now.
Adam Silver says the NBA will implement an AI automated system to review calls.
Imagine games that aren’t completely smeared with reviews. Where up and down basketball is back. Go back and watch a few games from the early 2010s. The contrast to now is so unbelievably stark in a good way.
Now take that, hit the 1.5x fast forward, and get an idea of what the potential of this league could be. These players are awesome, and I don’t need 100% accuracy on out-of-bounds calls and weak flagrant calls in exchange for what could be a far more entertaining product.
PHOENIX, ARIZONA – MARCH 05: Head coach Billy Donovan of the Chicago Bulls talks with referee Josh Tiven #58 during the second half of the NBA game at Mortgage Matchup Center on March 05, 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Bulls defeated the Suns 105-103. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) | Getty Images
We Can’t Get Rid of “Grifting”, But There Are Steps to Take
You know those fouls at the baseline that get called all the time?
Where a team has no other shot against good defense, so they drive from the elbow to the baseline, try and catch the defender at a bad angle, and completely fall backwards, hoisting the ball up in a situation where it’s surely not going to go in, but it gets called a shooting foul anyway?
It seems to happen all of the time, and more often than not, they award the out-of-control player. Finch has said it before, and my main gripe matches it. For some reason, out-of-control players are being awarded more than ever now. Fall on a fast break? Sure. Fall on a drive? You got it.
Fouls like the one I laid out could be given the rip-through treatment, as always, being a foul on the floor. There’s no intent to actually score the ball during game action with the embellishment of contact, and it’s obvious it’s a move players practice because they know it’s a cheap way to get to the line if the shot clock is breaking down.
A simple way for something like that to not get the rip through treatment? Playing through the content to show actual scoring intent.
The baseline fallaway is just one example. So many times, a defender could be in complete control while the offensive player is not, and the latter will tend to get rewarded. It might be a place that the league is at, but seeing more play-ons through marginal contact and making things like the above fouls on the floor could be ways to curb what’s happening and also prevent further stoppages.
All in all, I don’t want something like this to take away what’s shaping up to be an awesome finals, and frankly, a finals that’s being officiated extremely well with plenty of contact.
But where we’re at can’t continue to happen. It ruined the discourse of the playoffs this year, it’s slowly ruining the NBA product, and giving a bad example for youth hoopers on what to build their game around.
Is Adam Silver the right guy to figure out? I’m not sure, but man, do I sure hope he is. Basketball can’t keep getting played and talked about like this at the highest level.
Fans, players, coaches, and organizations are clearly getting tired of it. Hell, I’m sure refs are too. Now it’s time for those who run the league to show they are, too.
PISCATAWAY, NJ - CIRCA 1980: Darrell Griffith #35 of the Utah Jazz drives on Mike Newlin #14 of the New Jersey Nets during an NBA basketball game circa 1980 at the Rutgers Athletic Center in Piscataway, New Jersey. Griffith played for the Jazz from 1980-91. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Jazz are lined up to select 2nd overall in the upcoming NBA Draft, and this is a unique position for the franchise. They have finished with a losing record in only 18 of their 52 seasons in the league, and in those rare losing seasons, they are rarely subsequently blessed with a high draft selection – only 1 time in the 42 year history of the draft lottery have the Jazz jumped above their expected placement. Ever since the days of Stockton, Malone, and Sloan, the Jazz have not been bad and they have not been lucky. With this upcoming 2nd overall pick, Utah needs a star.
Famed collegiate icon, best-in-the-world level shooter, explosive athlete, and ferocious competitive fire – if I told Jazz fans we’d be picking a guy with these attributes at #2, they’d be ecstatic, regardless of whether the prospect’s first name is Darryn, AJ, or Cam. While it doesn’t seem that any of those guys check all 4 boxes, Forty-six years ago to the day Jazz fans were blessed with a player who did – Darrell Griffith, the sole #2 overall pick in the franchises history, was selected to bring winning and excitement to a team that hadn’t yet given the new home fans in Utah something to care about. Clearly, he succeeded, as his #35 jersey hanging in the Delta Center’s rafters indicate. The history of the Jazz and the 2nd pick starts and ends with Darrell Griffith, but who is he? Today, in honor of the fast approaching future and the nostalgia of the past, we’ll study Griffith’s career and diagnose whether Dr. Dunkenstein was the right pick for Utah’s sole #2 selection in the history of the franchise.
Pre-NBA: Louisville Legend
UNITED STATES – MARCH 24: College Basketball: NCAA Final Four, Louisville Darrell Griffith (35) victorious, getting carried off court by team after winning game vs UCLA, Indianapolis, IN 3/24/1980 (Photo by Rich Clarkson/Sports Illustrated via Getty Images) (SetNumber: X24328 TK2)
Almost from the day he was born, Griffith was a phenom – it’s reported that he began dunking at the age of 10 by launching himself off the walls of his family garage, which his brother Michael speculates built up the leg muscles necessary to propel him 48 inches in the air at his peak. Griffith’s youthful successes (state championships in the basketball-crazed state of Kentucky, high school All-American in 1975) convinced the ABA’s Kentucky Colonels that he was the real deal, and they offered him a contract if he skipped college and went professional right away. For context, the 1975 Colonels were no joke – they featured stars Dan Issel and Artis Gilmore, and that year won the ABA championship. Instead, after a high profile recruiting period, Griffith ended up at the hometown University of Louisville.
Griffith took his time to reach the heights expected from such a dominant high school force, but once he reached his senior season, he was nigh-unstoppable at the collegiate level. Winning the Wooden award and Louisville’s first ever National Championship, Dr. Dunkenstein finished a storybook college career – home town kid who had to overcome adversity before becoming a historically great NCAA player. Steep professional expectations accompany a man this accomplished at the amateur level, so when the Jazz selected him at #2 overall in the 1980 NBA draft, they did so with the hope that this was the player to ignite a fire under Salt Lake City and lead the team to their first EVER winning season (the franchise’s record to this point was 39 wins while they were still stationed in New Orleans).
NBA: The Doctor Is In
PHILADELPHIA, PA – CIRCA 1980: Darrell Griffith #35 of the Utah Jazz shoots over Maurice Cheeks #10 of the Philadelphia 76ers during an NBA basketball game circa 1980 at The Spectrum in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Griffith played for the Jazz from 1980-91. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Griffith didn’t immediately contribute to much more success on the court (24 wins in 1980 to 28 in his first season in 1981) but he wasted no time getting acclimated to the NBA. Averaging 20 points, 3.5 rebounds and 2.5 assists, Griffith narrowly won the 1981 Rookie of the Year award by a single vote over now-obscure Blazers point guard Kelvin Ransey (Basketball Reference lists Ransey’s nickname as Mrs. Butterworth which took me aback, but Ransey himself says his true nickname, Butter, was coined by Mychal Thompson because his game was “rich and thick”).
In terms of accolades, Griffith is unimpressive after his rookie year – despite 4 out of his first 5 years featuring scoring averages over 20 points per game, Griffith never earned All-Star honors. This is not due to lack of popularity among the voters, however – once the Jazz quit their losing ways (their first winning record with Griffith occurred in 1983-84), Darrell began receiving some of the most votes of Western Conference guards, placing 5th in 1984 and 4th in 1985. If he were ever to be an All-Star, it would’ve been 1985 – the Jazz had a respectable record, Griffith had his highest scoring year, and Rickey Green took a small step back so the votes for Utah guards were less dispersed. However, even though the fans were taken with him, the coaches deciding the bench were not, and he was passed up for Norm Nixon and Rolando Blackman.
Griffith still had a spot during the ‘84 and ‘85 All-Star Weekends, however – he participated in the first two NBA Slam Dunk Competitions. I’ve attached tape from his 1984 4th place finish below; watch it for Griffith, for the beautiful green Jazz jerseys, or for an interesting moment in history when the Dunk Contest featured 4 legitimate stars (Griffith, Dr. J, Dominique Wilkins, Larry Nance).
Griffith wasn’t only a dunker, as he also pioneered the three point shot during its early years in the NBA. For one glorious offseason (1985), before Larry Bird took hold of the honor, a Jazzman held the all-time three-pointers made record, after Griffith paced the league in 3PM for two straight seasons. To this day, Darrell Griffith and Mike Dunleavy Sr. are the two players in NBA history to have led the league in three-pointers made and three-point percentage – Griffith was decidedly not a one-trick pony.
However, both of those tricks suffered after Griffith’s successful 1984-85 season. Very soon before the ‘85-86 season, Griffith broke his foot during a pickup game in his hometown Louisville, and missed the entire year during his recovery. After coming back, Griffith wasn’t quite the same – he lost a few inches off of his mythical 48 inch vertical, and even more importantly, he lost efficiency. He was a part of a fun 1988-89 team (first 50 win squad in franchise history!), starting in the backcourt with a young John Stockton, but he wasn’t anywhere near the almost-All-Star of yesteryear, retiring just 2 years later at the age of 32. Still, Griffith ended his career a Jazz-lifer, and an interesting one at that; he functioned as a bridge between eras, starting his career as a key piece of Adrian Dantley teams, and ending it as a veteran presence for a young Stockton and Malone.
Post-NBA Conclusion: Once a Jazzman, Always a Jazzman
SALT LAKE CITY, UT – FEBRUARY 23: Darrell Griffith and Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Utah Jazz share his dunk contest trophy with the crowd at vivint.SmartHome Arena on February 23, 2018 in Salt Lake City, Utah. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Melissa Majchrzak/NBAE via Getty Images) SALT LAKE CITY, UT – FEBRUARY 23: on February 23, 2018 at vivint.SmartHome Arena in Salt Lake City, Utah. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Melissa Majchrzak/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Post retirement, Griffith faded softly from the limelight. He returned to a town that named his childhood street after him (“Darrell Griffith Way, AKA Dr. Dunkenstein Way”!) and now works as an ambassador and community outreach specialist for his alma mater. Regarding the Jazz, he made a rare appearance in Salt Lake City as he presented a rookie Donovan Mitchell with his 2018 Dunk Contest trophy, a contest in which Donovan paid an electrifying tribute to Griffith by donning his jersey for one of his dunks (reportedly, one of Griffith’s ACTUAL jerseys, from the archives). Griffith acted as a mentor for Donovan before Spida was ever drafted to the Jazz, with the two of them meeting during Donovan’s time at the house that Darrell built.
While history suggests that Kevin McHale, the 3rd pick in 1980, would’ve been the right one for the Jazz, one should not use that to discredit Darrell Griffith’s legacy with the franchise. Griffith brought excitement and genuine star power to Utah’s first NBA team (even if that was never reflected with All-Star appearances), and could’ve been a key third star into the 90s if not for a series of unfortunate injuries. Even with his career falling apart, he never abandoned ship – he played every game of his professional career wearing the Jazz’s purple and green. We can all hope that the franchise’s upcoming #2 overall pick will have better luck against the injury bug and perhaps be a better defender (Griffith tried hypno-therapy as a last-ditch effort to improve on that end), but we can’t ask for much more in terms of talent and loyalty. So far, the Jazz are 1/1 on their selections at #2 – if they can get that hit rate to 2/2, the Jazz are set to begin one of the most exciting eras in franchise history.
Have any favorite Griffith stories that I didn’t touch on? Sound off below!
Jun 8, 2026; New York, New York, USA; San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama (1) shoots the ball as New York Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) defends during game three of the 2026 NBA Finals at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images | Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
The New York Knicks host the San Antonio Spurs tonight at Madison Square Garden in Game Four of the NBA Finals. New York leads the series 2-1. A victory would put the Knicks one win away from their first championship since 1973. A loss? That would turn this into a best-of-three series heading back to cactus country. No bueno!
The Spurs earned a 115-111 win in Game Three on Monday night, ending New York’s 13-game postseason winning streak and handing the Knicks their first loss in 46 days. Victor Wembanyama led San Antonio with 32 points, eight rebounds, six assists, and three blocks. Stephon Castle added 23 points. For New York, OG Anunoby scored 28 points on 9-of-13 shooting while Jalen Brunson matched Wemby with 32 points.
The question entering Game Four: can the Knicks rediscover their offensive identity?
Game Three was not a case of San Antonio completely overwhelming New York. The Knicks generated quality looks throughout the night and remained within striking distance until the final possession. What doomed them was stagnation. For long stretches, New York looked nothing like the team that spent the last month and a half steamrolling opponents. The ball stuck. Players stood around. The offense became predictable. They recorded just 18 assists, their second-lowest total across 99 regular-season and playoff games, while committing 13 turnovers that the Spurs converted into 21 points. (H/t Fred Katz of The Athletic.)
The Spurs deserve credit for creating those conditions. After dropping the first two games at home, San Antonio came into Madison Square Garden desperate and aggressive. Castle’s size bothered Brunson, Josh Hart, and several other Knicks all night. Wembanyama spent less time defending pick-and-roll actions, instead acting as a help defender and erasing opportunities around the rim. And the adjustments worked. Rather than forcing Wembanyama into repeated screening actions and making him defend in space, the Knicks often attacked the defense directly. That resulted in fewer driving lanes, fewer paint touches, and a greater reliance on jump shooting.
Wembanyama’s elite rim protection often forces you to make your bones beyond the arc. Sometimes those shots fall, sometimes they do not. On Monday, there was a lot of not. New York missed 10 consecutive three-pointers to open the fourth quarter. It cost them the game.
The Knicks played tight and tentative while the Spurs played loose and aggressive. New York spent much of the evening trying not to make mistakes instead of imposing its will. That showed up in the turnovers, hesitation, and an absence of the off-ball movement that has defined its postseason success.
Still, one bad night does not erase six weeks of dominant basketball. All the aforementioned issues are correctable. Protecting the basketball tops the list. The Knicks cannot afford unforced turnovers or unnecessary fouls that gift San Antonio easy points. They also need a bigger fourth-quarter impact from Karl-Anthony Towns, who was held scoreless in the final period of Game Three and attempted 15 fewer shots than Brunson overall.
The Knicks must contain Wembanyama in pick-and-roll situations. The Spurs repeatedly generated lobs and paint finishes by getting him behind New York’s defenders. The good guys have to cut off those interior passes and do more to keep the big fella away from the rim (easier said than done, I know, I know).
And Mikal Bridges needs to bounce back after recording two points in Game Three. He’ll be better tonight (could he be much worse?). Anunoby has arguably been New York’s best player in the series, and Captain Clutch continues to deliver in big moments. The Knicks are at their best, however, when all five starters contribute and their bench lends some support. Landry Shamet had his worst game in a while, making 1-of-8, and Miles McBride looks smaller than ever among the taller Spurs, averaging 3.7 points in these three games. A couple of three pointers from each would help.
ESPN.com likes New York to win at 57%. Giddy up. If our heroes move the ball, protect possessions, and return to the sharp cutting and unselfish offense that fueled their postseason run, they will have an excellent opportunity to regain control of the series. We trust in them. Knicks by 5.
Game Details
Who: New York Knicks (2-1) vs San Antonio Spurs (1-2) Date: Wednesday, June 10, 2026 Time: 8:30 PM ET Place: Madison Square Garden, Manhattan, NY TV: ABC Follow: @ptknicksblog and bsky
Tuesday evening, the NBA announced that San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama would not be assessed a flagrant foul for his push of New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson during Monday's Game 3 of the NBA Finals.
Wembanyama, who discarded Brunson with a push to the back of his head during the first quarter, was not called for a common foul on the play. In the aftermath, NBA Senior Vice President of Referee Development and Training Monty McCutchen acknowledged that a foul should have been called.
In the NBA Today interview, McCutchen acknowledged that Wembanyama committed a foul and explained the standard involved in elevating a call: “Every game is reviewed by the league office postgame, the entirety of the game, and we're in the process of doing that today. Most…
However, after reviewing the play, the league decided that the foul would not be upgraded to a flagrant. Wembanyama has two flagrant foul points due to his ejection for an elbow to the head of Minnesota's Naz Reid during the second round. In the postseason, four flagrant foul points trigger an automatic one-game suspension.
Game 4 of the NBA Finals is on Wednesday night, with the Knicks holding a two games to one lead.
Spurs
Knicks
