Knicks dominate the 2026 ESPYs
I’m not one to watch the ESPYs most years. The last thing I want to watch is a bunch of players I don’t like be honored, plays that involve my team losing being shown, and jokes being made at my team’s expense.
Last year’s edition alone featured both Tyrese Haliburton’s and Freddie Freeman’s career-defining plays, both of which happened at the expense of my Knicks and Yankees. Even slightly unrelated, Saquon Barkley and the Eagles were the talk of the show. Why would I ever want to relive that?
This year, despite things still not being so hot for anyone else I root for, it was a night of celebration for the talk of the town, the New York Knicks.
In a heavily favorable crowd in Manhattan, everyone knew the show would revolve around the NBA champions. The entire team was there and featured on the broadcast over and over again. I think I saw a Knick in every single shot of the crowd throughout the broadcast.
It felt like everyone still on the team was there (well, except Landry, who’s off getting engaged in Europe):
The first award presented to a Knick at the ESPYs was to the captain, Jalen Brunson, before the show even started. He was awarded “Best NBA Player” that afternoon on NBA Today, the first Knick to ever get that award since the show started in 1993.
But that wasn’t the only hardware he’d bring home. He picked up two awards before anyone else was able to get one on stage, as he beat out incredible performances by Team USA goaltenders Aerin Frankel and Connor Hellebuyck to win “Best Championship Performance” for his 45-point closeout in Game 5 of the NBA Finals:
The presenters for the ESPYs are always funny. Chinese Olympic gold medalist Eileen Gu and Team USA striker Flo Balogun presented an award to Jalen Brunson. Hard to picture until you see it. Screw it, watch the 45-point game again. You know you want to.
As said previously, the Knicks were everywhere during this broadcast. Jokes were made about the Brunsons, Karl-Anthony Towns was featured in an Oz the Mentalist skit, and a third award was presented for “Best Play”.
We all knew who was winning this one, which is probably a shame to everyone else considering how awesome some of the nominees were.
Jack Hughes’ golden goal. Megan Keller’s golden goal for the women’s hockey team. Braylon Mullins’ 35-footer. Caleb Williams’ impossible touchdown. Hell, even the Dodgers’ heroics in the World Series somehow didn’t make it. There are few things less improbable than Miguel Rojas hitting a home run in THAT situation.
One of those things, though, is OG Anunoby, who became the first New York athlete to win “Best Play” since Odell Beckham Jr. in 2015. Watch the play again, then watch his extremely awkward (but classic OG) speech:
Cody Rhodes is presenting the award. There just so happens to be a WWE event that Brunson is already advertised for on Saturday. Will OG be there too? Who knows. If any random role player is there, my money is on Tyler.
The last individual award of the night was “Best Male Athlete”, an award that has gone to:
- Tiger Woods (five times)
- LeBron James (three times)
- Patrick Mahomes
- Tom Brady
- Michael Jordan
- Michael Phelps
- Stephen Curry
- Shohei Ohtani
- Steve Young
- Giannis Antetokounmpo
- Drew Brees
- Ken Griffey Jr.
- Alex Ovechkin
And on and on. No scrub wins this award. Brunson was a nominee alongside the greatest soccer player to ever play the game, the most dynamic baseball player of all time, and the NFL MVP, and it didn’t matter. The power of the Knicks’ first championship in 53 years was too damn much. The first New York athlete to ever win this award, Jalen Brunson.
Before the team awards were handed out, KAT appeared alongside Team USA rugby star Ilona Maher to present Aja Wilson with the “Best Female Athlete” award.
The main event was the award for Best Team.
In terms of dominance all season long, this probably shouldn’t have been the Knicks.
The Seahawks were ridiculously dominant in the NFL. Indiana tore through college football. Both gold medal hockey teams were awesome. One team that didn’t get nominated because of how niche a sport it is was Penn State wrestling, which has broken every record imaginable over the last three years, but at least their best player was nominated for Best College Athlete. Oh well.
Ultimately, we all knew who this was going to. If you have any doubts, just consider that they had the best point differential in NBA playoff history. The 1996 Bulls and 2017 Warriors couldn’t even do this. Speak to the ring.
It’s as dominant of an award show performance as you can ask for. Sports’ version of Titanic at the 1997 Oscars.
Alright, back to not watching this event for a while. Wake me up when the Yankees win the World Series.
Jazz vs Spurs Player Grades: Tanking in Summer League?
Another game, another piece of evidence for my theory that the Utah Jazz Summer League team was replaced with clones somewhere on their way from Salt Lake to Las Vegas. Every year, I forget just how sloppy Summer League basketball is played – perhaps my expectations shouldn’t be so high. Nevertheless, the players are out there playing, so I will still be sitting on my couch analyzing. The Jazz played 10 players in their loss versus the Spurs, with each demonstrating highs and lows. Who were the standouts? Who made this rough loss a bit more bearable to watch, and who contributed to the ugliness that is nearly synonymous with Summer League Basketball? Below, I will be assigning grades to each of the Jazz players who took the court against the Spurs. These grades will be more so based on process than results; some nights players make their shots, and some nights they miss, but shot selection is much more in their control and will therefore be judged with particular emphasis.
Player Grades
Jonas Aidoo: C-
The worst game I have seen Aidoo play during the Jazz 2026 Summer League campaign. Normally, you can trust him to act as a base rim-runner; grabs rebounds, block shots, finish near the rim, and set hard screens. Today, his offense simply did not cut it. 0-4 from the field, with most of his shots entirely makeable – his touch left a lot to be desired, which is often what separates a replacement level rim-runner from a key member of a rotation. His hands, which I’ve praised after previous games, were a bit clunky as well. Additionally, while his defense was much more passable and often positive, there were a few instances where I thought his drop defense (against Jakobie Gillespie, in particular) was underwhelming, biting for pump fakes or being a step late against drivers. The 9 rebounds were huge, and don’t allow me to give too low a grade, but this game dampened my Aidoo hype.
Tamar Bates: A-
Tamar was moving with a fluidity and cadence that said to me, “NBA Player”. He demonstrated a good form on his shot, combined with high elevation, and used the threat of the jumper to utilize his quick burst to attack the rim. Looking taller than his listed 6’4 and using his 6’10 wingspan, Tamar made his presence felt around the court with consistent activity that didn’t translate to the stat sheet. I wish he looked out for his teammates a bit more after he collapses the defense from his drives to the paint, but Bates was not the reason we lost tonight.
Matthew Cleveland: B-
Statistically, Cleveland probably deserves better than the grade I’m assigning him, but I found myself less-than-inspired for large portions of his playing time tonight. He was efficient as a scorer and aware while jumping passing lanes, but I found him often blending into the background on both ends of the court. Outside of the steals that led to end-to-end transition points, he was more of a reactive defender than a proactive one – he didn’t enforce his will (which should be possible given his physical tools), which led to him giving up open shots after step backs and off-ball movement, as well as missed box-outs because his man slipped behind him. This feels more able to be coached-out than some mistakes, and the positive shot-making flashes were encouraging, but I can’t fully believe in what Cleveland showed against the Spurs.
Andersson Garcia: C
While the stats weren’t impressive, I think Garcia strongly performed the connective actions necessary for an NBA team to function. His decision-making was quick and mostly well-conceived, and he seemed to have a good understanding of the offense that the coach wanted to run. Additionally, you can always count on Garcia to hustle on both ends of the court. However, hustle and smart passing and quick cuts are all well and good, but ultimately don’t mean very much when you are a complete nonfactor when it comes to putting the ball in the hoop yourself. The Spurs could completely help off of Garcia, without fear of retribution. I appreciate how Andersson can act as glue on the court, and I understand scoring isn’t the only way a player can positively impact winning, but he needs to show something more (or better maximize his current skills, a la Alex Caruso) if he wants a second chance on the Jazz regular season roster.
Hayden Gray: C+
A similar story to Garcia – I always find myself impressed by the little things that Hayden performs on the court, but at some point you also have to be able to do the big things as well. He kept his composure against pesky Spurs pressure, his passes were quick and decisive, and he took educated gambles on defense, but a lead guard needs to be able to provide some scoring pressure for all of his ancillary skills to be fully actualized into an impactful player. Gray keeps the offense flowing and can shift momentum defensively, but in order for his admittedly impressive passing and handling to help the team, he needs to show effectiveness as a scorer at any level of the court.
Blake Hinson: D
I’ve always been a big fan of Hinson, but he isn’t a pretty watch when the shot isn’t falling. He only played 7 minutes, which makes giving a consistent grade relative to his teammates a bit tricky, but those 7 minutes were ugly. Poor shot selection, horrendous tunnel vision, and a lackadaisical attitude on defense crafted one of the worst games I have yet seen Hinson play. I do appreciate his ability to relocate to open space around the perimter after he does pass the ball, which led to his one three point make.
Justin Harmon: D+
Harmon, for the first time during Summer League, was largely invisible against the Spurs. His shot wasn’t falling, and his defense was uneventful (though he did get lost off-ball a time or two). There were a couple pick-and-roll possessions with Orlando Robinson where he impressed me with his savvy, which will be necessary if this guard-sized battery wants to make it work in the league. However, this was not Harmon’s game – the flow was just never there.
Bez Mbeng: A-
Bez was one of the few Jazz players you could feel while they were out there – he never allowed himself to fade into the background. He was pulling up his shorts and clapping his hands on defense (even if he did get blown by a few times more than I would’ve liked), and constantly worked to get to the rim on offense. His movements felt economical; if he wanted to get to the rim, he didn’t pound the air out of the ball for 15 seconds first. Instead, he would move well off the ball and blitz to the basket after a successful pump fake. I still don’t quite buy him as a point guard, even after this 5 assist, 0 turnover outing – his passes, while caught, were sometimes out of his teammates ideal catch radius. However, he looked more experienced and comfortable than any other Jazzman out there against the Spurs, and impressed on both ends.
Darryn Peterson: C-
This was not an irredeemable game from Peterson. He made some fine passes, his defense was decent most of the night (outside of the first quarter, but I’ll get to that in a second), his combination of flexibility and change-of-pace still consistently led to free throws, and, like I said in my grading criteria from the opening paragraph, it’s a make-or-miss league; tonight, he missed some shots he very well could’ve made. However, I still found myself consistently disappointed in the Jazzman of the future. Floaters are one of the least efficient shots in basketball, and in Summer League, Peterson has relied on them far too often. With better spacing around him during the regular season, he’ll likely find it easier to make it all the way to the rim, but I won’t pretend that I’m not worried about his shot selection and the fact that he can’t make his way to the basket even now. Often, it feels like Peterson’s head is in “score mode” or “pass mode”, and can lead to him working his way into tricky situations without active awareness of where his teammates are around him. While his defense improved later on in the game, his first quarter was startlingly bad – he helped way too far off of good shooters in the strong-side corner, and he was caught upright while guarding the ball and got shook multiple times. Do not mistake me – I am not claiming that the sky is falling. Peterson is elite, and has proven so throughout his basketball career. However, I will not be blinded by my purple-tinted glasses; Peterson did not play a good basketball game today, even if that means next to nothing in his long term projection (I almost titled this article “Hyunjung Lee for Darryn Peterson – who says no?” but decided that I didn’t want a joke to make myself a marked man among SLC Dunk regulars).
Orlando Robinson: B
Basketball sometimes looks a bit too difficult for Orlando Robinson. It’s not easy for him to get to his shots, even if he makes some. It’s not easy for him to be in the right position defensively, even if he ends the game with 2 steals and a block. So, while I sometimes like the end result of Robinson’s playing time, it doesn’t seem that it will easily translate to the next level. Today, I appreciated the decisiveness on his drives (yes, the 7 footer drives from the perimeter – easily the most tantalizing part of his game) and passes. His field goal percentage ended up rather underwhelming – some late heaves had something to do with that – but I think he was, overall, a slightly positive offensive presence for the Jazz. Defensively, I thought he did a good job at high-pointing rebounds and using his strength against the imposing Tarris Reed, but his slow feet were obvious and detrimental when he had to guard the pick-and-roll against the slithery Gillespie. I think a better, more mobile interior defender prevents Gillespie from building up some of the momentum that he did, which could’ve dramatically shifted the tone and direction of the game. This has been the story of Robinson’s whole career – strong offensive player who’s too slow and too lumbering defensively to make an NBA translation work. This game, once again, painted that unfortunately familiar picture, even if he was a positive in this Summer League setting.
Who stood out to you tonight? Who was disappointing? Comment below!
Recap: Wizards outpaced by Clippers, 108-94
The Washington Wizards lost their second game in as many nights on Wednesday against a Los Angeles Clippers team that also sat their top-5 pick. The Keaton Wagler-less Clippers outlasted the AJ Dybantsa-less Wizards in a 108-94 affair at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas.
The two teams played at a frenetic pace to open the game, with both sides looking to get on the break at every opportunity. Just as the Wizards and Clippers went back and forth in transition, so did the lead. The first quarter featured 8 lead changes with neither team getting ahead by more than 6 points. Seth Trimble and Kadary Richmond each had 5 to end the opening period deadlocked at 25.
The Wiz kids tried to pull away in the second quarter with an early 10-0 run to take a 35-27 lead. Trimble led the way with 11 points in the period. His three-pointer with 1.3 seconds left would have given Washington a 1-point lead at the break if not for a rough defensive lapse in the final seconds that pushed the Clippers ahead 52-51.
The game began to unravel for Washington midway through the third quarter. After a Trimble triple knotted the game up at 56, LAC went on a 17-5 run to take the game’s first double-digit advantage.
Trimble and Chris Livingston tried to carry the Wizards’ comeback bid late, but never threatened as the Clippers cruised to a 108-94 victory.
Trimble posted a team-high 24 points on 8-for-12 shooting, while Livingston tallied 20 points and 9 rebounds. Richmond and starting center Norris Agbakoko threw a block party with 7 swats between them.
Unfortunately, the loss means that the Wizards won’t make the cut for the NBA Summer League playoffs. But the team will still have a consolation matchup to close out the Vegas slate.
OG Anunoby cracks up Knicks teammates, ESPYs audience after winning Play of the Year
OG Anunoby is a man of few words but many laughs.
The Knicks star became one of five Knicks-related ESPY Award wins on Wednesday night at Lincoln Center, as he took home Play of the Year honors for his game-winning tip-in during Game 4 of the NBA Finals.
The soft-spoken Anunoby went on stage to accept the award, but his speech quickly went from humble to hilarious.
2026 ESPY Awards at David H. Koch Theater at Lincoln Center. Getty Images
“Uh, it’s truly such an honor to win an ESPY to cap off an amazing year and special moment for our team,” Anunoby began, before taking a pause.
The camera shot zoomed out on Anunoby, who then awkwardly spread his legs, hunched over to level with the microphone and stood in silence for several long seconds.
The mic was a little too short for OG
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) July 16, 2026pic.twitter.com/WW1Ht58WqC
Jalen Brunson (who won three individual ESPYs), Mikal Bridges and the rest of the crowd gathered at New York’s Lincoln Center erupted into laughter as a smiling Anunoby tried to continue his remarks.
“To the best fans in the world, we thank you for all your love and support,” Anunoby continued while holding back his own laughter. “Winning a championship for the city is truly so special, and I want to thank God, my teammates, the entire Knicks organization and all those who supported me along the way.
“Go Knicks!”
Since being acquired from the Raptors in December 2023, Anunoby has endeared himself to teammates and fans alike, both for his two-way on-court prowess and stoic demeanor.
He went viral for not being able to end an Instagram Live after the Knicks won the Finals in San Antonio, and once again drew attention for his stone-faced appearance on “Good Morning America” days later.
Of course, none of it happens without his iconic tip-in against the Spurs at Madison Square Garden, a shot that cemented his place in New York sports lore.
The Knicks staged a dramatic comeback in Game 4, rallying from a playoff-record 29-point deficit to take the lead late in the fourth quarter — punctuated by Anunoby, who sprinted toward the basket and tipped a missed Brunson 3-pointer for the win with 1.2 seconds remaining.
In addition to Brunson and Anunoby’s wins, the Knicks came away with Best Team honors at the ESPYs, capping off an epic season and evening.
Kevin Durant weighs in on LeBron James sweepstakes
Everyone wants to know where LeBron James will sign this offseason.
Kevin Durant weighed in on the highly touted free-agent sweepstakes Wednesday.
“That’s the million-dollar question. I wish I knew. If I had to choose one, I would say Cleveland. But I think Philly got a good chance, too,” Durant said.
“I would say Cleveland,” – Kevin Durant shares where he thinks LeBron is going
— ESPN Cleveland (@ESPNCleveland) July 15, 2026pic.twitter.com/QEt7NeVh3u
The latest report indicates James is likely headed to the Eastern Conference in what could be the final move of his career.
Earlier this month, six teams were on James’ list of potential destinations: the Cavaliers, Heat, 76ers, Timberwolves, Nuggets and Warriors.
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Now, nearly half of those teams are no longer considered finalists in the James sweepstakes. It’s fair to say all of the Western Conference teams are out of the running for the NBA’s all-time leading scorer.
Rich Paul, James’ agent, revealed the veteran is searching for complete basketball happiness at this stage of his career. But that statement directly contrasts James’ willingness to join a contender on a league-minimum contract.
Perhaps James is searching for both at 41 years old. A farewell title would be an appropriate ending for James’ storied career, but returning to the place where it all began would also be a worthy curtain call for the 23-year NBA veteran.
Philadelphia believes it can give James the best opportunity of hanging up his jersey as an NBA champion. The Cavaliers present an interesting offer as a deal would be a welcome reunion.
There is increasing belief that James will make a decision soon, but it’s evident his unique free-agency process won’t be rushed for anyone. James’ decision will have league-altering implications, thus the entire basketball world is patiently waiting for an answer.
Warriors' Stephen Curry receives Muhammad Ali Sports Humanitarian Award
Each year since 1993, sports programming channel ESPN has hosted an annual event honoring the top athletes and sports performances of the year in an event called the Excellence in Sports Performance Yearly Awards, or ESPY Awards.
The ESPYs highlight and recognize the best male and female athletes, most influential athletes and those who have spent countless hours giving back to communities. As part of the ESPYs are the Sports Humanitarian Awards.
The Sports Humanitarian Awards recognize those who have shown an industry-wide commitment to philanthropy and public service across six major honors: Muhammad Ali Sports Humanitarian Award, Stuart Scott ENSPIRE Award, Sports Philanthropist of the Year Award, Corporate Community Impact Award, the Billie Jean King Youth Leadership Award and Sports Humanitarian Team of the Year.
The Golden State Warriors' Stephen Curry was named a recipient of the Muhammad Ali Sports Humanitarian Award in recognition of his community impact through the Eat. Learn. Play. Foundation, a nonprofit organization founded by Curry and his wife, Ayesha, in 2019.
"When we launched Eat. Learn. Play. in 2019, we saw the tremendous need that existed in our adopted hometown of Oakland and set out to use our platform and resources to work to unlock the full potential of the kids in our community," Curry said in a statement on their website.
Curry accepted the Muhammad Ali Sports Humanitarian Award from the Muhammad Ali Center president and CEO, Lonnie Ali.
"Oakland gave us so much love, support and energy, and this is how we are able to continue to get back to the community that has wrapped its arms around us from the very beginning back in 2009," Curry said. "We’re just excited to meet kids where they already are every single day, because if you invest in a child, you’re investing in everything that’s possible for their future.”
Other award recipients include Philadelphia Eagles’ owner Jeffrey Lurie with the Stuart Scott ENSPIRE Award, co-owner of the New York Giants and Gotham FC Laurie Tisch received the Sports Philanthropist of the Year Award.
Additionally, there were three recipients of the Billie Jean King Youth Leadership Award — Julia Howe, Kelis Armstrong, and Sam Phillips. The Baltimore Ravens were recognized as the Sports Humanitarian Team of the Year, which was accepted by team president Sashi Brown.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY Sports: Warriors' Stephen Curry receives Muhammad Ali Sports Humanitarian Award
Gonzalez, Cenac lead Celtics past Kings, 82-76
The Celtics won their 2nd to last Summer League game 82-76 over the Sacramento Kings. It was Hugo Gonzalez leading the way with 24 points, 10 rebounds and 5 assists while Chris Cenac Jr. had 10 points, 12 rebounds and 2 blocks.
The Celtics started Milos Uzan, John Tonje, Hugo Gonzalez, Tucker DeVries and Amari Williams. Dillon Mitchell did not play in this game for rest. Darius Acuff Jr., Nique Clifford and Maxime Raynaud did not play. Sacramento started Isaiah Stevens, Emanuel Sharpe, Alex Karaban, Jonathan Mogbo and Dylan Cardwell.
Boston signed both Uzan and DeVries earlier in the day to training camp contracts, or Exhibit 10 contracts per CelticsBlog alum Keith Smith.
The Boston Celtics have signed Tucker DeVries and Milos Uzan to Exhibit 10 contracts, a league source told @spotrac.
— Keith Smith (@KeithSmithNBA) July 15, 2026
E10 deals are non-guaranteed training camp contracts. After camp the vast majority of E10 signings will end up joining the franchise’s G League affiliate.
It was a slow start to the game, but Celtics first round pick Chris Cenac Jr. came off of the bench and hit a three right away.
It was a slow start for the Kings, who started the game 1-17 as the Celtics took a 13-2 lead.
The Celtics lead the Kings 13-4 at the end of the 4th quarter. The Kings had the lowest scoring quarter in the history Summer League according to ESPN. Hugo Gonzales led the Celtics in scoring with 4 points.
The Kings matched their 1st quarter total in the first 2 minutes of the 2nd quarter.
Sacramento’s offense opened up after that, they cut the Celtics lead to 20-17 with 5:25 left in the 2nd quarter.
The Celtics ended the quarter hot. They scored 19 points in the last 5:45 of the quarter and led the Kings 39-28 at halftime. Gonzalez led the way with 12 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists while John Tonje had 10 points and Chris Cenac Jr. had 2 blocks.
We all like to talk about Cenac and Gonzalez who have both played very well, but I have also enjoyed the way John Tonje has played. He came over at the trade deadline for Chris Boucher and a 2nd round pick, but remains unsigned after the Celtics didn’t tender him a qualifying offer. He has played well in Summer League and had 18 points on 6/10 shooting and 3/7 from three in this game.
The Celtics led the Kings by 8 at the end of three quarters, 57-49. Gonzalez was still leading the team with 17 points, 9 rebounds and 5 assists while Cenac had 8 points, 8 rebounds and 2 blocks off of the bench.
The Celtics defense was great in this game, especially at the rim with Cenac and Amari Williams protecting the backline. Williams’ didn’t have a great stat line, but I thought he really impacted the game on both ends.
The Celtics put together an 11-0 run to take a 74-58 lead with about 3 and a half minutes to go in the game. Gonzalez led the charge, with 7 of the 11 points but their defense also took over.
Then, the Kings scored 11 points in a row as the Celtics looked to put the game away while expanding their point differential.
Milos Uzan had a nice and-1 to put the Celtics up 8 but 2 Kings threes put the Kings back within 2. Uzan had a nice layup to put the Celtics back up 4.
The Celtics won the game 82-76 after John Tonje made a few free throws to seal it.
The Celtics shot 38% from the field and 29% from three while Sacramento shot 32% from the field and 31% from three. Boston’s next game will be Friday or Saturday with opponent and time TBD. It remains to be seen whether or not the Celtics will make the playoffs, but it seems unlikely.
New LeBron James next team rumor comes from unlikely source at ESPYS
The sports world continues to wait for LeBron James’ latest decision regarding his NBA future.
While a decision from the four-time NBA MVP has not been made public, he remains a topic of discussion.
James spent the last eight seasons with the Lakers, the longest continuous stint in his career with one team, but made the decision not to return.
Some of the top suitors for James have reportedly included the Cleveland Cavaliers, Golden State Warriors and Miami Heat, among others.
USA TODAY asked individuals at the ESPYS where they thought James would be playing next season ... and one person revealed an interesting name wanted to get in the mix.
“I don't know," said Pickleball player Anna Leigh Waters. "I know the owner of the professional pickleball league just bought the Portland basketball team, the Trail Blazers, and I know he's trying to get (James), so we'll see if that happens."
Gymnast Suni Lee believes that James may be headed to the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Lee has ties to the state, having attended school in St. Paul.
Magician Oz Pearlman doesn't have any ties to the teams interested in James but believes the veteran player will return home to Cleveland.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: New LeBron James next team rumor comes from unlikely source at ESPYS
Karl-Anthony Towns takes brutal jab at Cavs during ESPYs: ‘Should win this one analytically’
KAT brought out his claws.
Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns, in attendance for the 2026 ESPY Awards at Lincoln Center on Wednesday night, took a swipe at one of the team’s playoff foes as New York looked to take home the Best Team award.
“You can pick up all the analytics and statistics you want,” Towns said during a pre-show interview Wednesday with ESPN’s Kevin Negandhi and Christine Williamson.
ESPY Awards at the David H. Koch Theater at Lincoln Center
on July 15, 2026. AFP via Getty Images
“Analytically, we should win this one. We should win this one analytically.”
Towns’ remark was a shot at Cavaliers head coach Kenny Atkinson, who infamously suggested his team had been “analytically” superior to the Knicks during the Eastern Conference finals.
“We’ve had success against this team before. We’ve had really good moments,” Atkinson said after Game 3. “In this series, up [20 points in] Game 1. Even Game 2, take that run out from the beginning of the third quarter, and it’s pretty tight.
“I think analytically, I think we’ve won I said three out of three, I think we’re two out of three in the [expected score] … we’ve won two out of three. And I know you’re looking confused, but … if you believe in process and all that, take that layer.
Karl Anthony Towns makes a joke towards Kenny Atkinson
— NBA Courtside (@NBA__Courtside) July 15, 2026
"Analytically, we should win this one. We should win this one analytically." https://t.co/7p0D0JWM6hpic.twitter.com/PYn9dC6M78
After coming back from a 22-point deficit in the fourth quarter for a memorable Game 1 win, the Knicks ultimately steamrolled past Cleveland en route to a sweep.
Despite entering the organization’s first NBA Finals in 27 years as the underdog, the Knicks defeated the Spurs in five games to cap off a historic postseason.
After going down to the Hawks 2-1 in the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs, the Knicks went on an improbable run, winning 13 straight games and going more than a month and a half between losses.
“The city hasn’t seen this in 53 years, hasn’t even seen the opportunity of being in the Finals for 27 years,” Towns added. “So when you think about those factors, a team that wasn’t picked to be the favorite, underdog in every series we played, including the last one.
“For us, with the playoff run we had, with how dominant it was … six-point differential in the games that we did lose. 49 days, I believe, without losing a game in the playoffs. That’s my pick for best team.”
New York was among several memorable teams competing for Best Team ESPY, including the Aces (WNBA), Dodgers (MLB), Indiana Hoosiers (NCAA football), Hurricanes (NHL), Texas Longhorns (NCAA softball), Seahawks (NFL) and the United States men’s and women’s hockey teams.
The show proved to be another trophy-filled night for the Knicks as Jalen Brunson took home Best NBA Player and Best Championship Performance ESPY Awards.
OG Anunoby also won for Best Play.
Steve Kerr responds to Warriors fan about LeBron James: ‘We got him’
Warriors coach Steve Kerr might have caused the biggest buzz of the summer among NBA fans.
On Wednesday, a video surfaced on social media of a Warriors fan telling Kerr the team needed to sign LeBron James.
“We got him,” Kerr said.
The viral video comes hours after Warriors star Steph Curry made a direct free-agent pitch to James during an appearance on “Good Morning America.”
Speculation has since swirled over Golden State’s handle on the situation as some fans believe Kerr’s response hints toward the Warriors losing out on the NBA’s all-time leading scorer. That would fall in line with ESPN insider Shams Charania’s report on the sweepstakes.
Charania revealed the only suitors left on James’ list are the Cavaliers, Heat and 76ers. Other sources have said the veteran is destined to land in the Eastern Conference, labeling the once seemingly favorited Warriors as current dark horses in the race.
There were plenty of reasons to believe the Warriors had as good a chance to sign James. For one, Curry and James had undeniable chemistry during Team USA’s gold medal run at the Paris Olympics. That was also when James familiarized himself with Kerr as a head coach.
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However, the prospect of Curry and James teaming up once again appears to be slim.
James returning to the Cavaliers perhaps makes the most sense and ties up all loose ends in terms of his legacy. But Warriors fans can still dream of a miracle because of Kerr’s latest comments.
Summer League Recap: Bucks 110, Hornets 91
The Milwaukee Bucks exterminated the Charlotte Hornets 110-91 tonight, picking up their first victory of Summer League. It was a game of runs for Milwaukee, which built a big lead early, blew it, then ultimately took things back to blowout territory down the stretch. Nate Ament led the Bucks with 23 points (Brayden Burries didn’t play), while Hannes Steinbach dominated for Charlotte with 27 points and 15 rebounds.
Game Recap
Bogi Markovic got the party started for the Bucks, throwing down a driving dunk and drilling a catch-and-shoot three for the team’s first five points of the night. Charlotte’s “big three” of Christian Anderson, Hannes Steinbach, and Tidjane Saluan all got some buckets early, and Nate Ament knocked down a couple pretty jumpers for Milwaukee, including an and-one triple from the right corner. The young talent for both sides was on full display. Milwaukee mounted an extended 19-4 run after the 6:02 mark of the opening quarter and finished the period with a 28-18 lead. Zack Austin’s energy was a spark on both ends during the push— he blocked three shots in his first stint off the bench alone.
The Hornets promptly tightened the gap in the second quarter, with twin trey balls from Latrell Wrightsell Jr. and Kylan Boswell cutting Milwaukee’s cushion to four by the 8:05 stamp. But, then the Bucks did what all good basketball teams do: they responded to the run with a run of their own. Ament and Markovic each swished a three before Pete Nance laid the ball up in transition, restoring a 12-point advantage and forcing a Charlotte timeout within two minutes of Boswell’s shot. The Hornets hung around with some help from Saluan, but Milwaukee escaped the first half up 53-37.
Charlotte came out hot in the second stanza. They were able to reduce the lead to single digits, 61-52, with a Michael Ajayi putback dunk at the 6:14 tick. A rolling layup for Steinbach thirty seconds later capped off a 10-0 burst for the Hornets. From there, the Buzz City boys kept rolling, and what seemed like a potential no-sweat Milwaukee win was suddenly flipped into a 63-62 barn burner with 3:43 left in the third. Again, though, the Bucks had an answer, as they built a 16-0 run in the waning minutes of the period that put them up 79-64 heading into the fourth.
The Bucks managed to hold on and snuff out the funny comeback business in the final frame, despite the best efforts of Steinbach and Salaun. Kam Jones, Milwaukee’s newest two-way contract man, was a catalyst in sealing the win, as was Ament, who strung together three finishes in a row with around four minutes remaining.
Stat That Stood Out
Eight players scored double digits for the Bucks tonight: Ament, Markovic, Nance, Jones, Austin, Brandon Boston Jr., Luke Travers, and Boopie Miller. Talk about a team effort!
Lakers’ Adou Thiero hopes summer showing cements solid role next season
LAS VEGAS — Adou Thiero’s summer league debut didn’t go how he imagined.
The Lakers’ 2025 second-round pick came into the summer wanting to dominate. He had an idea of what being dominant looked like. And then when he tried to execute that vision during the July 3 loss to the Warriors, it didn’t go how he imagined.
He predetermined his drives. He didn’t let the game come to him, instead trying to force his will on the game.
The result was not only a 32-point loss but also Thiero shooting 3-of-10 from the field for nine points.
“Multiple conversations with coaches, multiple film sessions,” Thiero told The California Post about the aftermath of the first game. “I knew after the first game, I knew I didn’t play well myself. So just talking to coaches that night and picking their brain and already knowing what I got to do better for the next games.”
Since then, Thiero has changed his approach — allowing the game to come to him — and his performances reflect it.
“It’s just about him just being available and getting the reps,” Lakers assistant/summer league coach Ty Abbott told the Post. “And as he’s gotten more reps, he’s been able to get a better understanding of how teams are trying to guard him, what his strengths are, what he can go to, right? You don’t really know what you can do until you do it. It’s like a trial-and-error type of thing. He’s kind of gone through that a little bit, and now he knows how he wants to go, where he wants to go, and he’s slowed down.”
Thiero scored in double figures in all four of the games he’s played since the Lakers’ initial loss, including having his best and most efficient performances during the Las Vegas summer league games.
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There was the 20-point performance on 8-of-14 shooting to go with four rebounds, four assists, three steals and two blocked shots during Friday’s win over the Thunder.
He had 13 points on 5-of-6 shooting to go with six rebounds and three assists during Tuesday’s win over the Clippers.
“With more reps, it’s just gonna keep slowing down for me,” Thiero told the Post. “So I just got to keep going out there playing and keep getting a feel for the game. And it’s just going to keep getting easier.”
Thiero’s playing time was limited during his rookie season due to knee injuries.
He played in 25 regular-season games, averaging six minutes, with most of his playing time coming in the G League.
Thiero played in six playoff games, including being in the rotation for a few games.
But he missed out on significant development opportunities as a rookie, which showed when it was time to start the summer exhibitions.
“I feel like during the season, it was a little easier for me, whatever, older guys helping me, putting me in places,” Thiero told the Post. “So now I’m out there. I got to be that leader for everybody. And that’s just getting easier as time goes on.”
At 22 years old, 6-foot-8 with a 220-pound frame and otherworldly athleticism, Thiero will have a spot on the Lakers’ 2026-27 roster if his development during the summer carries over into the fall.
The Lakers need a player of his archetype, even after their roster reconstruction.
And Thiero knows that starts with improving as a point-of-attack defender, which has been a point of emphasis from coach JJ Redick.
“Just pressuring the ball,” Thiero told the Post what he’s been working on defensively. “Just going out there, trying to be physical on defense, talk, trying to lead on the defensive side for my teammates. And just trying to set the tone. Every night we come into the game, set the tone with the physicality and everything. Chris [Manon] does a good job at it. So just trying to be up there with him.”
Thiero doesn’t have a lot of NBA experience.
But he has a lot with the Lakers to know what will be needed from him on a Luka Doncic-led team.
“I just gotta be able to knock down shots whenever I’m in the corner,” Thiero said. “Run in transition and play my ass off on defense.”
It’s time for Summer League Basketball: San Antonio Spurs vs Utah Jazz
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The Summer Spurs looked completely out of it after being blown out in their first game in Vegas by the Atlanta Hawks after a fruitless 0-3 California Classic campaign, but just like Lloyd Christmas in Dumb and Dumber, there’s a chance for the Spurs to make it into the Summer League playoffs. Only the top four teams in Las Vegas Summer League make it into the championship, but there are only two unbeaten teams left, which means that at least two one-loss teams will make it into the tournament. All the Spurs have to do is beat the Jazz by a lot of points to get into the first or second spot among the one-loss teams. At the time of writing, that would require about a 30 point win, but could be more or less depending on how the rest of the games play out.
The Spurs might not want to get into the playoffs, because they’ve pretty much accomplished what they needed to in Summer League, with the team playing with nice energy and a little bit of cohesion after a slow start. If they don’t make it into the championship tournament, they’ll have one more game scheduled this weekend, to practice against another one of the also-rans and give the summer warriors a bit more run. My guess is that tonight is the last time you’ll see this year’s draft picks in the 2026 Las Vegas Summer League. Hopefully the Spurs will get a chance to face the Summer Lakers and Robbie Avila, who is becoming my favorite player of this year’s Summer League. It just goes to show that slightly overweight guys with coke bottle glasses can play this game.
This game will be on Prime, which is the NBA’s way of telling you that you need to buy every streaming service if you want to watch the games, even if you’re already paying for League Pass.
Game Prediction:
Corliss Williams pulls all of the starters in the fourth quarter after the Spurs build a big lead, trying to avoid the possibility of getting into the SL playoffs and playing an extra game.
San Antonio Spurs vs Utah Jazz(Las Vegas Summer League)
July 15, 2026 | 8:30 PM CT
Streaming: Prime
TV: Prime
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Jalen Brunson continues thrilling summer with trio of ESPY Awards as Knicks score team honor
It’s the summer of Jalen Brunson and the Knicks.
The superstar Knicks guard took home a trio of ESPY Awards on Wednesday night for Best NBA Player, Best Championship Performance and Best Athlete in Men’s Sports.
To end the awards spectacle, the Knicks won the Best Team ESPY, beating out eight other squads across the sports spectrum.
OG Anunoby’s flying tip-in that capped off the Knicks’ NBA Finals Game 4 comeback also earned Best Play.
Brunson was announced the winner of the NBA-focused award earlier Wednesday and earned his second and third honors at the award show at Lincoln Center in New York.
Brunson, on hand with his wife, Ali Marks Brunson, accepted his awards on the David H. Koch Theater stage while dressed to the nines in a tuxedo.
“First and foremost, I want to thank my family for sacrificing everything day in and day out,” Brunson said after winning the championship performance ESPY. “Thank you to [owner] Jim Dolan and the Knicks organization, [president] Leon [Rose], the front office, Mike Brown, my teammates — without them, none of this would be possible. They allow me to be me. I’m forever indebted to them.”
He beat out United States hockey gold medalists Aerin Frankel and Connor Hellebuyck and Texas softball’s Teagan Kavan for the championship performance ESPY. Argentina soccer legend Lionel Messi, Dodgers two-way star Shohei Ohtani and Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford were up for the men’s athlete award.
A group of Knicks, including Anunoby, Karl-Anthony Towns, Mikal Bridges and president Leon Rose, joined Brunson to accept the team award. Knicks superfan Fat Joe fittingly closed down the show with his song “All the Way Up.”
Brunson won the NBA Finals MVP, ending the Knicks’ 53-year title drought in a five-game series over the Spurs.
He scored over 30 points in four of the five contests, with 36 in the Knicks’ historic Game 4 comeback before dropping 45 in the Game 5 clincher on the road in San Antonio.
Making it all the more impressive was that Brunson dealt with pain in his left hand and wrist, something that bothered him during the final two rounds of the playoffs, he revealed earlier Wednesday on ESPN Radio.
The Post previously reported he underwent surgery for the issue July 7.
“I just remember being at the free-throw line in the third or fourth quarter of Game 2 of the Eastern Conference finals,” Brunson said. “My wrist was starting to feel weak. I was like, ‘Where is this coming from?’ From that point on, I was trying to figure out what was going on, and how I can push through, because I wasn’t going to get anything done during that time.”