"Internet, help us find the banned fan. He can watch the rest of the finals at B-Dubs on us," Buffalo Wild Wings wrote.
Buffalo Wild Wings' response to the debacle drew widespread attention on social media; the post garnered 4.8 million views as of June 5. While some fans supported the restaurant, many people took issue with the chain's offer.
USA TODAY has reached out to Buffalo Wild Wings.
Social media rips Buffalo Wild Wings for offer to banned NBA fan
In response to Buffalo Wild Wings' post, many users criticized the chain for drawing further attention to the fan's actions.
"Bro what? I’ll never eat at BWW’s again if y'all reward this, one person said, calling the fan's actions illegal, dangerous.
Another user wrote: "This is completely insane and only empowering this behavior. Literally the exact opposite of what you should be doing."
Even retired NBA player Blake Griffin weighed in on the post, writing: "This ain’t it. @wingstop would never #notapaidpost." Buffalo Wild Wings competitor Wingstop replied and agreed with Griffin.
Not everyone was against the move. One user wrote, "sure he did something not cool but ay what a way to step in!"
Another responded: "It's amazing how many people are offended by a kid running onto a basketball court."
Fan arrested, banned from NBA arenas after running on court during Finals
In the fourth quarter of the game on June 3, a fan ran onto the court, interrupting play.
He was seen pulling his phone out to take a selfie with Wembanyama before security quickly swooped in and escorted him away. Wembanyama laughed, while nearby Knicks player Mitchell Robinson looked confused.
The next day, the NBA announced that the fan was arrested and is banned for life from all NBA arenas. A second individual involved in the incident was also banned from attending NBA games, the league said.
Contributing: Victoria Hernandez, Scooby Axson and Mark Giannotto, USA TODAY
Melina Khan is a national trending reporter for USA TODAY. Keep up with her on X @melinakh and Instagram @bymelinakhan.
There's been a development in the investigation of the courtside fan who was heckling Knicks star Jalen Brunson during Game 1 of the NBA Finals on Wednesday.
According to SNY's Ian Begley, a league spokesperson said that the fan will not be banned from the arena, but their access to courtside seats will be taken away.
"The fan was not a season ticket holder and if he were to attend another game in this series, he would not be permitted to sit in courtside seats," the statement read.
The NBA's investigation was solely focused on one fan, per Begley.
In various points of the opening game, Brunson could be seen going back and forth with Spurs fans in the front row near the scorer's table. Once the game ended with the Knicks defeating San Antonio, 105-95, Brunson was shown on the television broadcast approaching the group. Referee Scott Foster and Jose Alvarado intervened before the Eastern Conference Finals MVP walked away.
During Thursday's media availability, Brunson was asked about the fan interaction and the guard declined to go into detail.
"I'm all good about talking about that," Brunson said.
The Knicks will look to take a 2-0 series lead in San Antonio on Friday night.
Source confirms NBA is investigating fans sitting courtside for what they said to Knicks star Jalen Brunson. @ChrisBHaynes 1st on it. Brunson was talking to ref Scott Foster about fans after NYK’s Game 1 win. Video by @NBA_NewYork presents timeline here: pic.twitter.com/RETGyrR8T5
Feb 5, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves (15) reacts after a foul in the second half against the Philadelphia 76ers at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images | Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
One thing has been abundantly clear about Austin Reaves’ time with the Lakers: he loves Los Angeles.
He hasn’t exactly made it a secret that he wants to remain in LA. Every time he’s asked about free agency, he tries to take a stab at a diplomatic response, but somewhere along the way, he’ll make it known he loves being a Laker.
For fans who want to see him back, this is all great news. For Austin’s agents, it’s probably pretty awful!
All these comments haven’t exactly given Austin an edge in negotiations. If the Lakers know he badly wants to be in LA, how much are they going to leverage that in their contract offer?
It probably shouldn’t be a surprise, then, to see them trying to shift the narrative back around. On Thursday, Brad Turner of the LA Times appeared on Spectrum SportsNet and spoke about Austin’s impending free agency, revealing that he wants a max deal.
"Based on what I understand, what I keep hearing: Austin wants the max. Is he willing to give the Lakers a hometown deal? I'm not so sure about that" – @BA_Turner on Austin Reaves pic.twitter.com/tCMgicHEtY
Here’s a transcript of what Turner said for those without Twitter/X:
“He stands to make five years, $241 million, that’s from the Lakers if they offer him that deal. Or if he goes to a team like Chicago or a team like Brooklyn, he can get four years, $178 [million]. Those teams will kind of lurk around. Based on what I understand, what I keep hearing, Austin wants the max. Is he willing to give the Lakers a hometown deal? I’m not so sure about that. Maybe he does, but maybe he reps don’t want to.”
The end of this quote pretty accurately lays things out and shows where things stand. If it were up to Austin, it’d be much more likely that a hometown discount is on the table. But Austin’s agents are trying to do what’s best for him financially.
Given how things will shake out and the mechanisms of the CBA, it’s ultimately not really going to matter for the Lakers’ free agency plans what type of deal Austin takes. His cap hold is going to be so low relative to the deal he’s going to get that his deal is likely going to be one of the last things the team does in the order of operations this summer.
The only difference in his deal is how close it brings the Lakers to the second apron and how much money Mark Walter will have to fork over. The Lakers shouldn’t end up all that close to the second apron, so it’s only going to be the second part that matters all that much.
And if that’s the case, here’s to Austin getting as big a pay day as he deserves…and much bigger than the one he’s been angling for.
When the Knicks host the Spurs in Game 3 of the NBA Finals on Monday, it will be the most expensive game in NBA Finals history — and very nearly sports history.
The cheapest ticket for the game, according to Seat Geek, is $9,006 and that’s for the upper bowl.
While courtside seats are not offered on ticket platforms, folks looking for one can place a bid on the NBA website. The highest bidder at time of publish has offered $500,000.
The cheapest ticket at MSG for game 3 of the NBA Finals is going for $7,500 in section 420. This is the view from that seat. pic.twitter.com/MA7XanR9FT
Madison Square Garden lit up after the New York Knicks beat the Boston Celtics. Christopher Sadowski
The tickets aren’t comparable to anything else in NBA Finals history, with tickets in Dallas for the 2024 finals being the second highest with an average of $1,965, per SeatGeek.
The MSG average right now for tickets sold stands at $7,149 — and that number just keeps rising.
In sports history, only Super Bowl 2024 between the Chiefs and 49ers surpasses the Knicks tickets with an average cost of $10,497, per SeatGeek.
Games 1, 2, and 6 at MSG all rank among the top eight in all-time average ticket price.
The Knicks fans’ obsession for the franchise’s first championship in 53 years has been clear throughout this playoff run.
The Knicks haven’t made it to the NBA Finals in 27 years, meaning at least 25% of the population of New York City wasn’t yet born, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. And they haven’t won a title since 1973.
Actor Timothee Chalamet watches from court side during game five of the second round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs. Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images
Ticket prices surged from their $3,900 starting point Monday, per Front Office Sports, to over the $10,000 minimum after the Knicks took Game 1.
New Yorkers are starting to taste a championship and want a piece of it.
This has created a scramble effect on Wall Street, in Big Law, in real estate and among celebrities to just pay $10,000 or more.
“If you’re not there, you’re a loser,” Jaclyn Sienna India, founder of concierge agency Sienna Charles, told the Wall Street Journal.
India’s team has already spent as much as a staggering $176,000 for a single ticket, she said.
President Donald Trump and New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani will both attend Game 3 of the series.
Other celebrities like Timothée Chalamet, Kylie Jenner, Spike Lee, Ben Stiller and Tracy Morgan could also make their usual courtside appearances.
While the prices have skyrocketed, the views remain the same from the regular season.
The aforementioned $10,000 seats have the following view.
Screenshot of seat view from Row B25, Section 210 of Madison Square Garden. seatgeek.com
Others won’t be as lucky, with many of the seats in the back rows of the 200 level considered obstructed-view tickets.
The Chase Bridge completely blocks the view of the center-court scoreboard.
If the series goes past four games, Knicks fans dying to watch an NBA Finals game in person would spend less on flying to San Antonio for the weekend to see Game 5: tickets on SeatGeek for Frost Bank Center start at $1,711, with round-trip flights under $600.
Julian Champagnie is a fascinating figure in the 2026 NBA Finals because he's the only player in the series who grew up in New York and then went to college in New York — and he happens to now play for the San Antonio Spurs.
So the fourth-year pro isn't just emerging as a valuable sharpshooter who was overlooked initially after going undrafted and being waived by the Philadelphia 76ers to begin his NBA career. He also might be a villain in his hometown if the Spurs manage to come back and win an NBA championship over the Knicks.
"I have a lot of friends who are New York fans and I would love to spoil their plans," Champagnie told reporters before the NBA Finals began.
Though the 24-year-old cooled off in the second half, he again proved to be a weapon for the Spurs. Here's what to know about San Antonio's Julian Champagnie in the 2026 NBA Finals:
Where is Julian Champagnie from?
Champagnie is from the Kensington neighborhood in Brooklyn, New York and went to high school at Bishop Laughlin in Brooklyn.
Champagnie has a twin brother, Justin, who also plays in the NBA. Justin Champagnie, who currently plays for the Washington Wizards, is listed at 6-foot-6 and 206 pounds.
Like his brother, Justin Champagnie was undrafted after two seasons at Pittsburgh. He just finished his fifth NBA season.
Julian Champagnie height
Julian Champagnie is listed at 6-foot-7 and 217 pounds on the Spurs roster.
Julian Champagnie college
Julian Champagnie stayed close to home in New York for college basketball by playing three seasons at St. John's.
Julian Champagnie jersey
Julian Champagnie wears jersey No. 30 for the San Antonio Spurs.
Julian Champagnie contract
Champagnie has one of the best contracts in the NBA at the moment in terms of bang for the buck. He signed a 4-year, $12-million contract in June 2023 after joining the team during the 2022-23 season off waivers as a two-way player. The deal features a team option for the 2026-27 season at a $3 million salary.
Julian Champagnie stats
Champagnie averaged a career-best 11.1 points, 5.8 rebounds and 1.5 assists per game while shooting better than 38% from 3-point range during the 2025-26 regular season. He's averaging 11.5 points, 6 rebounds and 1.5 assists per game on 40.2% 3-point shooting in the 2026 NBA playoffs.
The San Antonio Spurs will be playing desperate tonight after dropping Game 1 of the NBA Finals at home on Wednesday. Game 2 goes tonight at 8:30 p.m. ET, with the Spurs once again convincing 6.5-point favorites.
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Jon Metler's expert pick: Knicks +6.5
Price: -115 at bet365
The San Antonio Spurs enter Game 2 down 0-1 and already facing significant pressure. Falling behind 0-2 at home would be disastrous, and that urgency is clearly reflected in the NBA odds. Despite losing Game 1 as 4.5-point faves, the Spurs have been bet up from -6 to -6.5 for Game 2. Even after accounting for the expected bounce-back effort, I still can’t get to that number.
I make San Antonio closer to a 4.5-point favorite, which leaves value on the New York Knicks. Nothing I saw in Game 1 changed my outlook on this series. New York continues to hold several key matchup advantages, and I still believe they have a legitimate path to winning it all.
A big reason why is the frontcourt pairing of Karl-Anthony Towns and Mitchell Robinson. Both were exactly what the Knicks needed against Victor Wembanyama, minimizing his offensive impact while holding their own on the glass. I'm taking the points with the Knicks again.
Jason Logan's expert pick: Mikal Bridges Over 11.5 points
Price: -125 at bet365
Mikal Bridges did more damage with his defense in Game 1, but the Knicks can use his shooting touch when the Spurs crack down on Jalen Brunson in Game 2. Bridges is one of the better mid-range shooters for New York, and that’s been the perfect foil against San Antonio, as it likes to park Victor Wembanyama in the paint.
Bridges only scored nine points on 3-for-6 shooting in the opener, but has been a consistent contributor in the playoffs, scoring 12+ points in the nine games before Wednesday. His player projections all sit north of 11.5 points O/U, with most above 13 points and a ceiling flirting with 15 points tonight.
My number boils down to 13.5 points, which should have the Over 11.5 priced around -150.
Joe Osborne's expert pick: Knicks +6.5
Price: -115 at bet365
I'm not stepping in front of the Knicks right now. They've extended their historic playoff run to 12 straight victories, with 11 of those wins coming by double digits, and continue to reward anyone willing to back them.
After shaking off some early rust in Game 1, New York settled in and controlled the action, outscoring San Antonio by 17 points in the second half thanks to much more efficient shooting and forcing eight turnovers while only committing one.
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.
While the NBA Finals are drawing most of the headlines — especially with the Knicks in them, energizing America's media capital — the NBA continues to move toward the draft, and with that free agency and trade rumors are flying around. Here are some of the latest.
Austin Reaves to ask for max
One of the Lakers' offseason priorities is to re-sign Austin Reaves. He showed he was a great fit last season as the secondary shot creator next to Luka Doncic, averaging a career-high 23.3 points per game, plus he dished out 5.5 assists per night and shot 36% from 3-point range. The question is simply the years and money.
"Based on what I understand, what I keep hearing, Austin wants the max. Is he willing to give the Lakers a hometown deal? I'm not so sure about that."
Technically, he's only giving the Lakers a discount if another team is offering the max (or at least more than the Lakers), and we have yet to see that team emerge. Based on the NBA's latest projections given to teams, the Lakers can give Reaves a max of five years, $239.3 million (that is a couple of million less than the number commonly reported). Reaves gave the Lakers a huge break on his last contract, but this is the chance for the 28-year-old to get his generational-wealth contract, and, understandably, he is going to take all the money he can get.
He's also not going to get the max, not in a tax-apron NBA. This is a negotiation: his agent should come in asking for the max, while the Lakers will start the bidding lower, and the sides will look for middle ground. Reaves is a free agent, and the two teams with cap space — Brooklyn and Chicago — could come in with four-year, $177.4 million max offers. However, the Bulls already have Josh Giddey, and Reaves seems like a poor fit alongside him. Brooklyn may be interested, but they are giving the max to a franchise anchor player, and Reaves is good but not that.
In league circles, the expectation is that the Lakers and Reaves reach a deal, likely in the five-year, $200 million range (the Lakers could go lower, four years at $160 million, too).
The Times' Turner also said this, and it may be the most likely outcome with LeBron James this summer.
"I'm gonna throw this out there: Lebron comes back on a two-year deal at $25 million per season with a player option and a no-trade clause."
Kings want to trade star
Sacramento wants to get off of at least one of its three big contracts this offseason — Zach LaVine ($48.9 million), Domantas Sabonis (owed $94.1 million across next two seasons), or DeMar DeRozan ($25.7 million) — reports Kings Insider James Ham on the Locked on Kings podcast. He also thinks Sabonis is the most likely to be on the move.
"I think Domantas Sabonis, out of all of their larger contract players, still has the most value. He's got more value than Zach LaVine. He's got more value than DeMar DeRozan. He's got more value than Malik Monk."
Sacramento, maybe more than any team, is stuck with contracts that do not play well in the more fiscally conservative apron era. Sabonis is a good offensive center (in his last healthy season, he averaged 19.1 points and 13.9 rebounds per game), but this contract is way above market value for him, and other teams will want picks attached (unless it's a swap of bad contracts). LaVine and DeRozan are moving into the last year of their deals, so there may be a team looking to clear cap space in a year that has interest, but it would be limited.
Going to be an interesting summer in Sacramento.
Thunder not trading Holmgren
Overreaction is the name of the game for creators looking for clicks and podcast listeners, but the smart teams are more measured. The Knicks have been measured and patient, and look at them. The Spurs are the most patient organization in the league. Oklahoma City won a ring and was the No. 1 seed in the West three years running because it does not do rash, impulsive things.
Which means the Thunder are not trading Chet Holmgren this offseason and are not jumping into the Giannis Antetokounmpo sweepstakes, reports Joe Mussatto of The Oklahoman. Antetokounmpo is very expensive, seven years older than Holmgren, and hasn't been able to stay healthy long enough for a playoff run in years. The Thunder are not going to stand still, but they believe that if Jalen Williams and/or Ajay Mitchell were healthy, they would be playing in the NBA Finals right now. They are not about to break up a title team after one series loss.
• The Portland Trail Blazers are down to three candidates: Minnesota assistant Micah Nori, Boston assistant Tyler Lashbrook and Portland's interim (and technically current) coach Tiago Splitter, reports Marc Stein and Jake Fischer at The Stein Line. The search in Portland has been slowed a little because new team owner Tom Dundon also owns the NHL's Carolina Hurricanes, and they are in the Stanley Cup Final.
• The Chicago Bulls were high on Spurs assistant Sean Sweeney, but Orlando signed him (although he doesn't start work until after the NBA Finals). With that, the Bulls are expected to narrow down their list of candidates in the next week or so, reports Stein and Fischer. Among the names they said to watch are Bulls assistant Wes Unseld Jr., Thunder assistant Dave Bliss, current Trail Blazers coach Tiago Splitter, and the Pelicans interim coach for much of the season James Borrego. The Bulls reportedly did reach out to BYU coach Kevin Young, but those talks went nowhere. Hoopshype’s Michael Scotto also said to keep an eye on Hornets assistant Lamar Skeeter.
• The Dallas Mavericks reached out to a pair of college coaches — Duke's Jon Scheyer and Michigan's Dusty May — to "try to determine if there is any interest," Stein and Fischer report. Scheyer was Cooper Flagg's coach in the star forward's one year at Duke. Other names to watch include former Portland (and Atlanta and Milwaukee) head coach Terry Stotts, Minnesota assistant Micah Nori, Houston assistant Royal Ivey, Toronto assistant Jama Mahlalela and Boston assistant Tony Dobbins.
“Elmo causing NBA Finals drama” probably wasn’t on your bingo card.
The famed “Sesame Street” puppet is getting pushback from fervent New York basketball fans after wishing both the Knicks and Spurs well before Wednesday night’s NBA Finals Game 1.
“Elmo hopes both teams have fun,” the Muppet wrote on X before the start of the Finals.
Sesame Street Muppet ‘Elmo’ attends the Sesame Workshop’s 13th Annual Benefit Gala at Cipriani 42nd Street on May 27, 2015 in New York City. WireImage
The post has since drawn over 12 million views and over a thousand comments, mainly from irate Knicks fans stunned Elmo wasn’t fully endorsing his hometown team before its first NBA Finals game since 1999.
Sesame Street is canonically a New York City street — the show was originally filmed in Manhattan before moving to Queens in 1993.
“Elmo this is the first time I’m not rocking with you. You gotta root for your city man!” X user @UTxJGTheDon replied in the comments.
“Hey man, you from Sesame Street, in the middle of New York City. You better be rooting for the Knicks!” another New York sports fan, @RonDeLaPena, wrote on X.
Several of the comments used colorful language not appropriate for the PBS show, and others used anatomical words to describe their feelings about the post.
Even with Elmo getting serious backlash, the Knicks rallied back from down 14 points in the third quarter to steal Game 1 of the Finals 105-95.
Knicks fans celebrate outside Madison Square Garden in Manhattan on Wednesday, June 3, 2026, during the first NBA finals game between the Knicks and the Spurs. (Robert Mecea for New York Post) Robert Mecea for New York Post
In the Knicks’ first Finals win in 27 years, Jalen Brunson stole the show with a game-high 30 points on 12-of-31 shooting.
Brunson struggled in the first half, but hit a clutch 3 to put the Knicks up 97-95 with under two minutes remaining, and they wouldn’t relinquish that lead.
Karl-Anthony Towns also starred in his first NBA Finals game with 18 points and 12 rebounds, while Josh Hart grabbed 15 boards and added four steals despite only having three points.
Spurs star Victor Wembanyama couldn’t fit his footing, shooting just 6-of-21 from the field.
San Antonio aims to even the series Friday night at 8:30 p.m. ET.
A repainted blue-and-orange 34th Street subway entrance outside Madison Square Garden has become a viral sensation for Knickerbocker fans, who have been gathering in droves to snap a selfie with the colorful team tribute.
The station was clad in Knicks colors and adorned with basketball light fixtures on Monday to honor the New York team’s first finals appearance since 1999 – and has been drawing hordes of jubilant fans to the new monument since.
A revamped blue-and-orange 34th Street subway entrance outside Madison Square Garden has become Knickerbocker fans’ latest viral landmark. James Messerschmidt for the NY PostFans have been gathering in droves to snap a selfie with the colorful team tribute. Courtesy of Xavier Serrano
“As a fan and a native New Yorker, I’ve never seen anything like this before, where the city really recognizes the sports team,” said Richard Bird of Harlem, as dozens of fans took selfies at the station entrance Wednesday afternoon.
“The Yankees have been doing it for years, but [for] the Knicks, I’m saying it’s amazing.”
“I think [subway stations] should be painted all over the city,” said Cornelio Joseph, known as Beat of New York online. “It’ll elevate the culture,” the 33-year-old added, “and has to celebrate the message: to celebrate the Knicks.”
The subway station makeover comes as part of a citywide celebration, with Big Apple residents coming up with Knicks-themed bagels, lattes, cheesesteaks and even tattoos to celebrate the team.
Joseph noted the historic run has ignited a citywide camaraderie unlike any other – and the subway station revamp has become a viral representation of Big Apple pride.
The station was clad in Knicks colors and adorned with basketball light fixtures on Monday to honor the New York team’s first finals appearance since 1999 – and has been drawing hordes of jubilant fans to the new monument since. Courtesy of Xavier SerranoThe subway station makeover comes as part of a citywide celebration. James Messerschmidt for the NY Post
“If you’re a real New Yorker, you know the colors of blue and orange,” Joseph added. “I definitely think it brings unity.”
“Every time New York stays on top, it always unites the city,” remarked 22-year-old NYU student Andrew. “For [the team] to be down for so long, [and] for it to be back up again, that’s the difference.”
“In 2026, we’re divided on so many economic and political issues. Sports is something that we can all agree on,” said Matt Swirsky, a self-proclaimed “bandwagon” Knicks fan from Long Island.
Long Island residents Kara Vangeli, 40, and Krista LaPlatney (right), 40, take a selfie in front of the revamped blue-and-orange 34th Street subway entrance outside Madison Square Garden. Robert Miller for NY PostBrooklyn resident Vinicio Moran, 36, and Queens resident Genesis Jerez, 30, take a selfie in front of the revamped blue-and-orange 34th Street subway entrance outside Madison Square Garden. Robert Miller for NY PostMTA’s chief customer officer, Shanifah Rieara, said the transit system entrance will go back to its natural colors even if the Knicks win the NBA Finals Robert Miller for NY Post
“It’s great to see the city – just the excitement of people from different backgrounds all come together.”
The selfie spot – which has even drawn Mayor Zohran Mamdani to pose outside with basketball fans – was painted overnight into Monday after being floated for about a week, the MTA’s chief customer officer Shanifah Rieara told The New York Times.
The makeover comes after several Knicks-themed celebrations within the subway system, from actor Tracy Morgan recording a themed announcement to Rapper Fat Joe guest conducting on the 1 train.
The makeover comes after several Knicks-themed celebrations within the subway system. Courtesy of Xavier Serrano
At Penn Station, the lights now shine orange, white and blue in celebration of the finals clinch.
The transit system’s team pride isn’t limited to the Knicks, either: when the New York Liberty won a championship title in 2024, the MTA hung a banner in their honor, the Times reported.
Still, Rieara adamantly squashed any dreams of the entire transit system being re-painted in the near future, even if the Knicks clinch a championship win:
Knicks fans snap photos of the blue-and-orange subway entrance near Madison Square Garden on Wednesday. Courtesy of Xavier SerranoAt Penn Station, the lights now shine orange, white and blue in celebration of the finals clinch. Courtesy of Xavier Serrano
“This is the only one,” she told the outlet. “Doing multiple sort of diminishes the experience.”
An MTA rep told The Post the 34th Street station entrance will remain blue-and-orange “until a time to be determined.
But Knicks fans are far from losing hope – on both a finals win and a city painted blue-and-orange.
“They need to make every train station like that,” argued Duane, 37, of Harlem.
The New York Knicks rallied in Game 1, winning 105-95 and finishing on a 11-0 run, closing out a historic opening matchup of the 2026 NBA Finals versus the San Antonio Spurs. Jalen Brunson led the game in scoring with 30 points and could not be stopped down the stretch. The Knicks trailed by as many as 14 points as New York earned its 12th straight victory.
Knicks at Spurs (-5.5): O/U 215.5
Game 1 was a classic and featured plenty of runs by both teams. When looking toward Game 2, it's clear San Antonio is in a good bounce back spot given how poorly they shot and the lack of contribution from the bench.
San Antonio shot 11-of-43 from the three (25.5%) and 32-of-89 from the field (35.9%) in Game 1. Outside of Dylan Harper, the Spurs bench was even worse scoring four points and going 1-of-7 from the field (14.2%), 1-of-4 from three (25%) with two free throw attempts (one made).
Keldon Johnson won Sixth Man of the Year, but was nonexistent in Game 1 (3 points in 8 minutes), while Harrison Barnes somehow played 12 minutes (0 points). Luke Kornet (0 points) and Carter Bryant (1 point) didn't offer much either off the bench.
When Victor Wembanyama was on the sidelines, New York took advantage and that will have to change to some degree moving forward. San Antonio will have to figure out who outside of Harper can be trusted as the rookie played 28 minutes compared to a combined 34 minutes by the other four bench players.
I think the Spurs have a few players step up alongside Wemby in Game 2 on their home court and San Antonio will look night and day when it comes to their shooting percentages. Whether that comes from the bench, De'Aaron Fox, or Devin Vassell as examples. Give me San Antonio -5.5 out to -6. It's hard to imagine Jalen Brunson and New York playing any better down the stretch than they did in Game 1.
Pick: Spurs -5.5 (1 unit)
Knicks vs Spurs O/U 55.5 First Quarter Points
The first quarter of Game 1 went Under the 56.5 total and finished at 47 with poor shooting all around. To be fair, the Knicks had an extensive layoff of nine days and the Thunder were coming off four days of rest and Game 7 on the road.
Both teams will have a game plan moving forward and the outcome will be more points. New York shot 33.3% from the field (8/24) and 27.3% from three (3/11) with no free throw attempts in the first quarter of Game 1, while San Antonio shot 37.5% from the field (9/24), 33.3% from three (4/12), with six free throws attempts (five makes).
The Knicks did not receive a whistle early with three total free throws in the first half. I have my doubts that both teams start off slow in Game 2. I will take the First Quarter Over 55.5 points.
Pick: Over 54.5 Points (1 unit)
Season Record: 167-138-1 (54.7%) +18.31 units NBA Finals Game 1 Record: 3-1 +2.59 units NBA Finals Future Pick: Series Over 5.5 Games (2 units at -170 odds)
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In addition to the actual courtside chairs occupied by some of the biggest names in sports and entertainment, fans can also own game-used signed basketballs, jerseys, and the actual nets.
Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce attend the Cleveland Cavaliers Eastern Conference Final game against the New York Knicks in Cleveland, Ohio Aaron Josefczyk/Shutterstock
Among the most coveted items heading to auction are the courtside seats used by Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce during the Cavaliers’ playoff run at Rocket Arena. Also available are seats connected to actor Timothée Chalamet, Kylie Jenner, comedian and lifelong Knicks supporter Ben Stiller and Cleveland native Machine Gun Kelly.
New York Knicks superfan Ben Stiller sat courtside during the second quarter of Game 4 of the ECF. Charles Wenzelberg/New York Post
The celebrity chairs headline a larger Eastern Conference Finals collection authenticated and curated by The Realest, the Cavaliers’ Official Authentication and Memorabilia Partner.
The auction also includes the official game-used basketball from Game 3 and the game-used nets from the two conference finals games played in Cleveland on May 23 and May 25. Items any Knicks diehard would love to own, especially if they go on to win their first NBA Championship in 53 years.
Timothée Chalamet, Kylie Jenner and Tracy Morgan watch the second half of Game 4 of the ECF. AP Photo/Tim Phillis
For Cavaliers fans, the auction offers pieces directly connected to one of the most electric playoff atmospheres in franchise history. For Swifties, sports fans and collectors alike, it presents something even rarer.
A chance to own a piece of history from the action on the court.
PORTLAND, OREGON - DECEMBER 14: Assistant coach Terry Stotts of the Golden State Warriors looks on before the game against the Portland Trail Blazers at Moda Center on December 14, 2025 in Portland, Oregon. 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 Soobum Im/Getty Images) | Getty Images
After Jason Kidd and the Dallas Mavericks parted ways a few weeks ago, the Mavs kicked off the search for his replacement. We previously covered the news that Dallas was exploring potential fits with collegiate stalwarts Jon Scheyer and Dusty May, and now word has come out that Terry Stotts is also being considered for the job.
If Stotts’ name strikes you as familiar, that’s because he was an assistant under Rick Carlisle during the Mavericks’ 2011 championship season. Aside from that memorable run, Stotts has held coaching roles at the NBA level since 1994 when he began as an assistant for the Oklahoma City Thunder’s former iteration, the Seattle Supersonics. That stint afforded him some NBA Finals experience when the Sonics came up short to the Chicago Bulls in 1996. He was then an assistant with the Milwaukee Bucks, and then the Atlanta Hawks for whom he eventually took the head coaching job. He then spent a year with the Golden State Warriors as an assistant, before returning to Milwaukee for two years as the head coach.
After that, he was with Dallas as an assistant coach from 2008-2012 where he again returned to the NBA Finals, but with better results. 2011 put Stotts in the rarified air of those that were a part of the pinnacle of Mavericks’ history, playing an instrumental part in the championship run. He parlayed that stint into a long tenure as the Portland Trailblazers head coach from 2012 to 2021, then took some time off before returning to the Warriors as an assistant coach for the past two seasons.
In all, Stotts has accumulated a 402-318 record (55.8% winning percentage) as a head coach in the NBA. Over more than 30 years, he has either coached, or coached against, some of the best coaches and players the league has ever seen. He is a basketball lifer – you don’t stick around as long as he has unless you both belong and badly want to be there.
Rumors are that Stotts now only wants to consider head coaching jobs, and will be in the mix for the open position in Dallas. The Mavericks would be well served with Stotts steering the ship. At age 68 and with his resume, he has seen it all. He would instantly command respect simply based on who he is – there would be no rookie coach inexperience to harp on from either the players or media. He would bring the necessary discipline to what will likely be a young team led by Cooper Flagg, while also knowing full well how to manage the veteran players. Throwing back to the 2011 championship team would also bring a nice connection to the past for the Mavs, who could still afford to bolster good will with the fanbase.
Stotts would likely be something of a transitional coach, but that too could be a boon to the franchise. He could ably prepare one of his assistant coaches to take the reigns from him in a few years, or Dallas could simply choose to go another way when the time comes. Either way, Stotts brings a safe – but not mundane or low-ceiling – coach to the franchise, and one who can help lead the team into the next phase. The Mavs could certainly do worse.
I invite you to follow me @_80MPH on X, and check back often at Mavs Moneyball for all the latest on the Dallas Mavericks.
"We heard our fans…Ketchup and mustard is back!" Patrick Fertitta, Vice Chairman of the Houston Rockets and Comets, said in a statement announcing the new look. "From the time my family bought the team in 2017, we've heard from countless fans about how deeply those colors are tied to their memories of Rockets basketball. We wanted to create something that celebrates the generations of fans who built Rockets basketball while inspiring the next generation of Rockets fans."
Red remains the primary color for the Rockets' look, although their third jerseys are black with red lettering. The Rockets "R" logo remains at the center of the new look, while the reimagined Dunkstronaut image blends nostalgia with innovation and is a nod to the spirit of Space City.
The Rockets are coming off a 52-win season that showed promise, with a young core starting to take steps forward, but also a disappointing first-round playoff exit to a shorthanded Lakers team. Whatever moves the Rockets make to take their next step forward with this group, they will look sharp in these new uniforms.
SAN ANTONIO, TX - JUNE 3: Karl-Anthony Towns #32 of the New York Knicks handles the ball during the game against the San Antonio Spurs during Game One of the 2026 NBA Finals on June 3, 2026 at Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Texas. 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 Juan Ocampo/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
A funny thing happens when your team gets eliminated from the playoffs. For a few days you’re angry. Then you’re depressed. Then you start convincing yourself that next year will be different. Then the offseason rumor mill starts churning, and suddenly you’re arguing about hypothetical trades involving players who may or may not even be available. But before all of that takes over completely, there is still basketball to be played, and for Timberwolves fans, that basketball now comes with a clear rooting interest.
The New York Knicks marched into San Antonio and stole Game 1 of the NBA Finals, putting Karl-Anthony Towns just three wins away from capturing the Larry O’Brien Trophy.
For nearly a decade, Towns carried the weight of a franchise that was often wandering through the wilderness. Now, two seasons removed from the blockbuster trade that sent him to New York, he finds himself on the doorstep of basketball immortality.
If you’re a Timberwolves fan, you should be cheering for him. You’d have to be a particularly bitter person not to. For all the frustrations that occasionally accompanied Towns’ tenure in Minnesota, he gave this franchise everything he had. He showed up. He played through difficult circumstances. He helped bridge the gap between the dark years and the emergence of Anthony Edwards.
So when Wolves fans see him standing three wins away from a championship, the reaction isn’t jealousy. It’s pride.
That doesn’t mean anybody should start engraving the trophy yet. If the Timberwolves taught us anything a few weeks ago, it’s that winning Game 1 in San Antonio guarantees absolutely nothing. The record books tell us that the winner of Game 1 goes on to win the series roughly 70 percent of the time. That’s an impressive number. It’s also the kind of statistic that gets thrown around confidently until reality punches it in the face.
Minnesota walked into San Antonio during the Western Conference Semifinals and stole Game 1 from the Spurs. Wolves fans were feeling pretty good. The team had weathered injuries. Anthony Edwards had made his miraculous return. San Antonio looked vulnerable. Suddenly everybody was talking about how the Wolves had taken home-court advantage.
Then Game 2 happened. The Wolves treated that second game like they were playing with house money. San Antonio responded by blowing the doors off them. The lesson was simple: Winning Game 1 isn’t the accomplishment. Protecting the advantage is.
That’s why Game 2 feels so massive for New York. If the Knicks can somehow pull off the Texas two-step and leave San Antonio with both games in hand, the entire complexion of the series changes. Suddenly the Spurs find themselves staring at a 2-0 deficit heading into Madison Square Garden, one of the loudest and most chaotic environments in basketball when things are going well.
At that point, New York would be firmly in control. Not champions, not even close. But firmly in control.
The challenge, of course, is that Victor Wembanyama rarely stays down for long. One of the recurring themes throughout the series with the Wolves and Thunder was how quickly Wembanyama adjusted. There would be games where he looked slightly uncomfortable. There would be stretches where defenses bothered him. Then he’d spend 48 hours making adjustments and return looking like a basketball-playing extraterrestrial sent to punish mankind for its arrogance.
Game 1 of the Finals felt familiar. Wembanyama wasn’t quite himself.
The rhythm, the dominance, and the overwhelming sense of inevitability wasn’t there. History suggests that won’t last. Great players adjust. Superstars adjust faster, and Wembanyama increasingly looks like the type of player who solves problems overnight.
That’s why Towns becomes such a fascinating figure in this series. The Knicks need him to be the version of Karl-Anthony Towns that Wolves fans spent years dreaming about. The disciplined version that avoids silly fouls and stays on the floor. The version that uses his skill and size to create problems. If Towns can continue making his presence felt inside while forcing Wembanyama to work on the other end, suddenly New York has a pathway to pulling this off.
That’s what makes this series so compelling. The Knicks have been red hot and look like a team that genuinely believes it’s destined to finish the job. Meanwhile, San Antonio still has the most terrifying player in the sport and the type of roster that can make you feel foolish for doubting them.
It feels like we’re headed toward something special. Maybe it’s six games. Maybe it’s seven. Maybe it’s one of those Finals that gets remembered for years because of the stars involved, the momentum swings, the iconic moments and the pressure that comes with chasing a championship.
Whatever happens, Game 1 already accomplished one thing. It reminded everyone that San Antonio is beatable. The Knicks proved it. Now comes the hard part. Can they do it again?
Can they avoid the mistake Minnesota made? Can they leave Texas with both games? Because if they can, suddenly Karl-Anthony Towns won’t be three wins away anymore. He’ll be standing on the edge of a championship with Madison Square Garden waiting to carry him the rest of the way.
For Wolves fans, that would be a pretty cool sight. We never get to be the bride around here. Most years we aren’t even the bridesmaid. But seeing one of the greatest players in franchise history get his moment? That’s something worth rooting for.
The Canis faithful will be watching, and most of Wolves Nation is probably saying the same thing:
SAN ANTONIO, TX - JUNE 4: Josh Hart #3 of the New York Knicks talks to the media during a press conference during 2026 NBA Finals Practice and Media Availability on June 4, 2026 at Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Texas. 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 Ryan Stetz/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Here’s part two of my conversation with J.R. Wilco of Pounding the Rock. He and Spurs Nation are recovering from a stunning 10-point loss in Game One of the Finals. The Knicks, led by the Villanova roomies, made the game a thriller with a 24-point turnaround. Now San Antonio must regroup and try to clean up the mistakes of their first effort.
Click the link if you missed part 1 and would like to catch up.
J.R.
After one game, we’re a lot closer to your prediction than we are mine. If San Antonio doesn’t fix the problems I’m about to address, you’re in a great position to see Wilco with your wife without having to miss a Finals game. Great performances from your team. Truly. And not a very good showing from the hometown boys, which was not at all what I was expecting. In some ways, it looked like San Antonio didn’t prepare any kind of Knicks-specific approach to the game, which seems puzzling.
So puzzling that I’m reminded of the last time I was puzzled like this: Game 1 of the 2017 playoffs’ second-round series against Houston. The Spurs didn’t cater their standard game plan to the Rockets. They came out with a plain-vanilla offense and defense and got absolutely trucked. Lost by almost 30. Do you remember Mike D’Antoni’s “three is more than two” press conference? That was after Game 1. The overwhelming narrative leading up to Game 2 was the antiquated nature of the Spurs system and how inevitable Houston’s victory was.
Then Popovich made adjustments based on what he saw after Game 1, and the Spurs won four of the next five games, with an overtime win in Game 5 that ended with Manu Ginobili’s over-the-back block of James Harden’s three-point attempt and led to a Game 6 in which Harden failed to show up in any meaningful way. (You may have experienced something like that from Harden yourself.) So San Antonio has had this kind of weird series start before, and they’ve come out smiling.
While I have no insight into the adjustments being cooked up by Mitch’s Coaching Staff (MCS?), here are the things I noticed that I would like to see addressed.
First, Victor had his first truly disappointing game of the playoffs. Some people would say that Game 5 of the WCF qualifies, but for me that was passive Wemby, and Wednesday night was … I dunno what to call it. Hyperactive Wemby? Whatever it was, it can’t happen again if SA wants to win. Since February 1, there have been only three games in which Wemby has been a minus in his minutes on the court. And two of those have come against the Knickerbockers, which is not very confidence-inducing when all of the games for the rest of the season are against the same team. Expect angry-but-composed Wemby for Game 2.
Second, in a game-on-the-line, clutch situation, your go-to play can’t be a Wemby isolation from outside the three-point line. A couple of hours before the game, I was talking with one of my writers, and I said that Wemby’s favorite play is probably freelancing. Well, if your default mode is letting him have his favorite play, that’s fine. He can have it for 43 minutes of the game. But when it comes down to the final five minutes of a nip-and-tuck Finals game, how about we run some kind of action, some kind of pet play that we like our chances with? Expect a firm left hand from Mitch in these situations going forward. Or at least expect the guys to get an earful and handle it differently next time.
Third, against a lineup without OG, the Spurs allowed Brunson and Shamet to stay on the floor without running any offense at them. That should probably not be allowed to stand. There are so many ways to get them involved in actions that it’d be silly to even start a list. Either play Shamet off the court or tire him out. Force Jalen to exert himself on his own end, and even if he’s still fresh as a daisy in crunch time, at least you’ll be scoring points along the way, which would be a far cry from posting 18 in the fourth like in G1. Expect SA to do more targeting of NY’s weaker defenders.
Fourth, more Harper, and a greater range of actions run for him during said more. What did the kid try to do in his Finals debut that he couldn’t do? I can’t think of anything realistic that could’ve been asked of a player that he didn’t deliver on. I could go on, but that’s over 600 words already, and I don’t want to try your patience.
What did you see that you liked from the first Finals game, and what concerns you?
R.R.
It was a thrilling Game One, from our vantage at least. We thought San Antonio played well enough to win, especially given how rusty the Knicks were on offense. After a promising start, we didn’t expect them to finish the first quarter with 19 points. They had played eight games in 23 days, and it showed in the halftime numbers.
Nor did we think this game would so closely resemble the NBA Cup Final, in which New York rallied from a double-digit third-quarter deficit and held the Spurs to 19 points in the fourth to win. Uncanny similarities!
I agree that the series is far from over if San Antonio makes your recommended adjustments. I was surprised at how underutilized Harper was in the second half and that Brunson wasn’t hunted more—especially when he was initially injured. Shamet’s a better defender than his reputation suggests, but admittedly one of the weaker links in the chain. Targeting him makes sense.
As for Wemby, we agree again: bombing threes late in a tight game (or freelancing, as you say) seems a suboptimal use of his talent. Keep sending that big fella to the cup! He’s more likely to get three points that way (with an and-one) and stop the clock.
Tell me, do you communicate suggestions to Mitch Johnson by text or email? For Thibs, I used to hide video messages on VHS tapes, mislabel them (randomly, e.g., “Portland vs. Pacers, Jan. 5, 1982”), and leave them on the sidewalk outside the practice facility. VHS is Thibs’ catnip.
Regrettably, Mike Brown has a restraining order against me.
We liked plenty of what we saw in this first contest. New York remains confident and resilient. It’s reassuring to know Captain Clutch still has his mystical powers. KAT was pretty sweet, too. When New York runs the Towns-Brunson pick-and-roll, it opens multiple scoring options for them. Why they don’t spam it 100 times per game baffles me. That said, the Spurs had real trouble containing Towns whenever Victor rested. Come to think of it, Wemby didn’t do much to slow him, either.
Bridges and Hart combining for 12 points wasn’t too concerning. I wrote about Josh in the postgame piece:
“By the end of the game, Josh would have three points on 1-of-5 shooting, which looks bad. But run your eye across the stat line and let the truth reveal itself: 14 rebounds, six assists, four steals, a block, and a team-high +22 in his 27 minutes. His relentless energy rescued this game from the loss column.”
New York won’t have many more off-shooting nights in the series. Wait till you see these guys really cook with gas! Not only has New York won 12 games in a row, but 11 of those were by double digits. Impressive stuff from a team that is considered the underdog.
Brunson’s shooting reminded me of 1994’s Game One. In that tilt, Patrick Ewing went 10-for-26, and in this one Brunson shot 12-of-31. Same stinky, different outcomes. Even after a janky shooting performance by Jalen, we can sing his praises. Yet again, his shots fell in the clutch.
The Knicks have so many weapons that when Brunson is cold, someone else can step into the void. You saw it in Game One. KAT carried the team through the middle of the game. Anunoby was kind of a dud through three quarters, then knocked down eight points to swing the game. Another night, Bridges will drop 20 points on eight shots. Or Shamet might go 5-of-9 from deep, or Clarkson contribute 15. Mike Brown has a lot of cool toys!
Were you surprised by the contributions of your supporting cast, namely Fox, Vassell, and Johnson? I see they combined for 19 points. Also: Champagnie loves shooting three-pointers against the Knicks, making 18-of-34 in four games against NY this season. Finally, at last, Mike Brown schemed to stop this kid, limiting him to one point post-intermission. You’ve watched more of him than I—does he just go gonzo for Knicks games, or is he a for-real gunslinger? (I could look this up on Basketball-Reference, but stats can be suspicious … and I’m falling asleep.)
J.R.
The last time I had a mode of secret communication with a Spurs coach, it was Bob Hill. And I don’t need to tell you how that turned out. Suffice it to say that there was nothing else for it but to work my way into the blogging business and lob my thoughts to the team that way.
In the game, San Antonio has a lead and loses a lead because they only score 19 in the fourth while Brunson goes off; I can’t tell whether I’m talking about Wednesday night or the NBA Cup Final. That’s far too uncannily similar, but I have a solution. We need more cans in this series ASAP! Now, I just need to figure out what a can is in this context, and we’d have something. I know! I’ll make a VHS tape and—my wife is shaking her head … apparently I don’t have a camcorder anymore. That’s unfortunate.
Instead, let’s talk about Wemby’s defense on Towns (besides a few choice words I have that I won’t share here—suffice it to say they aren’t complimentary). I’d love to see Vic never leave his defensive stance while guarding a shooter on the perimeter unless his man is already off the ground in the middle of his jump shot. It’s not that Wemby can’t block three-pointers, it’s that it’s just so rare that anyone does. In the meantime, the number of times he’s been blown by for a layup this season is measured in the dozens! I don’t see anything of value being accomplished by Vic hunting blocks so far from the basket when he gives up far more total points when his timing isn’t perfect and he jumps too soon. I’d love to see what KAT can accomplish if Wemby simply plays solid perimeter defense on him. If he still goes off, then something structurally will need to change, but I doubt that. And it seems like Victor agrees because one of his postgame quotes was about how he needed to just make normal plays.
Next to Brunson, who I will get to in a minute, I thought Hart was the MVP for New York. Relentless energy isn’t enough to explain Hart’s impact. Plus/minus isn’t enough either. He’s got that thing. The one where you know it when you see it. It jumps off the screen as you watch on TV, and it smacks you in the face when you’re viewing in person. Alex Caruso has it too. After seven games of seeing one of Those Guys in the right place at the right time with the exact play, maybe the only play, that would stop the Spurs’ score or run, San Antonio fans have run right into another! Hart is a guy you hate but would love in an instant if he was on your team, and I don’t want to say another word about it right now.
Jalen’s late hot streak cures all—you can shoot as badly as possible if you’re able to can the looks that matter. (There’s another “can.” I told you they were important!) Shooting is important too, and by the time your guys are cooking with gas, then Wemby will need to be operating at fully operational Arrow Station levels, or it’ll get ugly.
I wasn’t surprised by the inability of Fox, Vassell, and Johnson to score more. Fox will have a bad game even when he’s healthy, and his ankle is obviously still limiting him. He bounces back regularly, though. Vassell has played great in the playoffs, and while he had an off night from deep (1-6), he hit 3 of 5 from the field, dished three assists, and grabbed nine huge boards. I’m not concerned about him. Johnson’s the one that’s weird to me. He only saw eight minutes of playing time, and I didn’t see much of a reason for that. Sure, he was 1-4, but he was the lone Spur with a positive +/-. Mitch obviously saw something he didn’t like. Gotta hope that turns around.
Which brings us to Julian Champagnie, who doesn’t just like shooting against the Knicks. Julian is now a certified flamethrower, and while he had a cold spell during the season and an early lull against OKC, he’s firing on all cylinders and will need to occupy a good amount of New York’s defensive attention.
R.R.
I’m glad you ‘can’ (ouch) maintain your humor after the opening loss. Surely the Spurs will reward your confidence soon. Despite their 12-game win streak, I still doubt New York will sweep. There’s too much talent on your side of the court.
The mismatch tortured us the last time these two fought in the Finals, back in 1999. Compared to then, this is already basketball nirvana. Cynicism aside, it is pretty cool that the NBA will have a different champion for the eighth straight year.
Your comparison of Caruso to Hart is dead on. I feel the same about Caruso (and used to about Jose Alvarado): that stinker is insufferable until he’s on your team, when he becomes your favorite player. For whether that holds true for Dillon Brooks, we’d have to ask a Phoenix or Memphis fan. And I stand by my solemn vow not to root for any team that employs the services of Kelly Oubre Jr. It’s an irrational dislike, but real.
I don’t know what to make of Keldon Johnson. He must have played some great games this season to earn Sixth Man of the Year honors, but he’s underwhelmed in the small sample size I’ve witnessed. Vassell impresses me more, and I’m bracing for him to perform better in his second chance. Your comments about Wemby seem to point to the immaturity of youth. The more he hangs out with the monks, the more disciplined he’ll become, and then the league will really be screwed.
A note about Champagnie. We are spoiled to have Mike Breen and the great Walt “Clyde” Frazier as our commentators for Knicks games. Clyde is in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame twice, as a player and broadcaster, and our SB Nation site is named after one of his colorful colloquialisms. One of his most endearing qualities is his singular ability to mangle names. To hear him say “Julian Champagne-y” is one of life’s joys.
We were glad that Knicks superfans Ben Stiller and Spike Lee made it to Texas. There may still be time for me to buy a ticket, fly to San Antonio, rent a hotel room, grab a secondary-market seat, and attend Game Two. Sadly, the grand total would be cheaper than trying to get into MSG for Games Three or Four. New York has two strata of fans: the wealthy set who can afford astronomical ticket prices, and the unwashed masses who watch from home or behind barricades on the street outside MSG. I proudly represent the latter, although, admittedly, sometimes the greed at the Garden is a nagging stone in my shoe.
Along those lines . . . as a fan, how does it feel when so many at Frost Bank Center are cheering MVP! for Brunson at the free-throw line? Poor Donovan Mitchell may never recover from that particular torment.
Here’s a true, unflattering story to wrap this up. Around the eight-minute mark of the second quarter, my wife texted from the bedroom to ask for help removing a splinter from her foot. Since she’ll never read this: I absolutely considered pretending to miss the message because the game was so good. Luckily, Mitch Johnson called a challenge timeout that allowed me to fulfill my husbandly duties.
Later, Jen texted that she was now streaming the game on her laptop because “everyone is talking about the game.” Hence, down the stretch, I was shouting in the living room, she was shouting from the bedroom, and our house must have sounded bananas from the sidewalk. I imagine things were equally wild at La Casa de Wilco. Let’s hope for more of the same great basketball in Game Two. Good luck to you (but Go Knicks, obviously).
