Category: NBA

New York Knicks game analyst Monica McNutt is on an apology tour after she questioned why superstar singer Taylor Swift was at Game 4 of the NBA Finals.

Speaking with TMZ Sports, McNutt addressed the viral hot-mic moment and the wave of Swiftie backlash that followed June 11, saying that she was "wrong" about Swift not being a Knicks fan.

"Swifties, I appreciate your passion. I said what I said," McNutt said. "And here's the deal, if I'm wrong. I am wrong, apparently, because she's got an OG Amar'e Stoudemire jersey."

"I misspoke. I did not know. But here's the deal, context, I literally just did a piece on celebrity row. I've been with this organization for five years. I know these folks. Ben Stiller. His wife, Christine (Taylor). Spike Lee. All of them. Fat Joe," she added.

McNutt offered additional clarity, telling the outlet that she had not seen the "New Romantics" singer at a Knicks game this year, or last year.

"And we just saw her in Cleveland with her fiancé (Travis Kelce). Obviously, Travis supports the Cavs. She didn't have any Knicks paraphernalia, so I did not know of her Knicks loyalty. But shoutout, T-Swift. We can be united in orange and blue, like, it's fine."

McNutt's backpedaling came less than 24 hours after she was caught dissing Swift to fellow Knicks colleague Tyler Murray shortly after spotting her: "She's not a Knicks fan. Get outta here, girl."

Taylor Swift's support of Knicks predates appearance

Unbeknownst to some, including McNutt up until recently, Swift has been a Knicks fan for a while. In a 2014 interview with TIME, Swift opened up about her love of the Knicks shortly after she moved to New York City.

Responding to a comment made by TIME correspondent Jack Dickey about how bad the Knicks were doing then, Swift made it clear that her love of the team didn't depend on how well they're playing.

"I love them, though," Swift said. "Why does that matter?"

Swift told TIME that her interactions with Stoudemire and his then-wife Alexis at the Met Gala helped cement her love of the Knicks, noting that the couple were the "most normal people at that event, every single time."

"I talk with them and hang with them every time I’m there. So I’ve always had this sort of love of the Knicks, just because Amar’e is so cool," Swift said.

"And also I performed at the Knicks’—at Madison Square Garden’s—Kids Talent Competition at halftime when I was 12 or 13. And ever since then I’ve had this kind of sparkly, magical opinion of Madison Square Garden and the Knicks, since they let me sing when I was a little kid," Swift added.

Swift, who donned a "Stevie Knicks" tee, was one of a dozen A-listers spotted rooting for the Knicks on June 10. She sat courtside with Haim sisters, Alana and Este, who were also wearing shirts with Knicks-related puns.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Monica McNutt apologizes for assuming Taylor Swift wasn't a Knicks fan

Larry David’s enthusiasm was a little curbed when the Knicks were down 71-42 before making an historic comeback against the Spurs in Game 4 on Wednesday night. 

Fellow Knicks fan John McEnroe, seated next to David on Celebrity Row at Madison Square Garden, told the ESPN crew on “NBA Today” on Thursday that the “Curb Your Enthusiasm” star was ready to head for the exit when all hope looked lost for the Knicks. 

“We were sort of a little negative at 71-42,” the former tennis star and ESPN analyst said. “He was like, ‘Let’s get outta here.’ He was like, ‘Let’s get outta here.’ I go, ‘Larry, listen, over the years it hasn’t come up the way we expected [as Knicks fans].’ You know, I’ve blown a couple [of] big leads in my life….It was sort of like, ‘Here we go again, we’re gonna lose this. Something bad’s gonna happen.'”

But McEnroe said he tried to get David to be a bit more positive in the face of an uphill battle for the Knicks. 

“I said, ‘Larry, let’s get positive here. If they get it down [from 29] to 25, 21, 18, it’s 15 at the end of the [third] quarter.’ This type of stuff. ‘Let’s keep it positive,'” McEnroe continued. “That’s the most positive I’ve ever been at a game, and I’ve been at a lot of sporting events over the course of my 56 years of coming to Knicks games when I was 8 years old.”

The shocking comeback 107-106 Knicks win has put the team one win away from their first NBA title since 1973, whipping Knicks fans everywhere into a frenzy. 

Tennis analyst and lifelong Knicks fan @JohnMcEnroe joined NBA Today after the Knicks' legendary comeback pic.twitter.com/sJ8XPgsSe9

— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) June 11, 2026

“I’ve never felt the energy in a crowd at Madison Square [Garden]. We used to play a big tennis event there [the season-ending Masters] and nothing’s ever come close to that. No one left after an hour,” McEnroe said. 

The interview was the second viral moment for David after video posted to social media showed the star nearly collapsing after Josh Hart missed a layup that would have given the Knicks a lead late in the fourth quarter.

After spending their entire careers as NBA rivals, LeBron James and Steph Curry might actually join forces.

According to NBC Sports Warriors insider Monte Poole, James joining Golden State should not be dismissed.

“I know it seems crazy,” Poole and NBC Sports Bay Area were told by a well-connected source. “But there is at least curiosity on both sides. This wouldn’t even be a conversation five or six years ago, and it might not happen now, but there’s enough there that we shouldn’t ignore the possibility. It’s mostly up to LeBron.”

Poole noted that the general belief is James will remain in Los Angeles, playing alongside his son, Bronny James, but recent reports by Brett Siegel of Clutch Points suggest Curry plans to meet with LeBron during the offseason and recruit him to the Warriors.

The Warriors are planning to pursue LeBron James this offseason and Steph Curry is planning on meeting with LeBron to recruit him to Golden State, per @BrettSiegelNBA.

“League sources telling us at ClutchPoints that the Warriors are very much open to pursuing LeBron James and… pic.twitter.com/YR0OwcofdZ

— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) June 4, 2026

Over the last half-decade, James has said multiple times that he enjoys playing alongside Curry. The King said playing with Curry during the 2024 Paris Olympics was everything he envisioned.

In Poole’s article, he noted Warriors owner Joe Lacob would welcome the pairing because he loves having stars on his team.

A year after Curry, Draymond Green and Klay Thompson won their first title together in 2015, they met Kevin Durant and the Thunder in the 2016 Western Conference finals.

The series ended up going seven games, with the Warriors edging OKC for the conference title.

The Warriors met LeBron and the Cavaliers in the Finals. Golden State, which led 3-1, fell in seven games.

Determined to win another title, Lacob and the Warriors signed Durant during the offseason. He led them to back-to-back championships and was selected as back-to-back Finals MVP.

Poole suggested that LeBron, Curry, Jimmy Butler and Green, one of LeBron’s best friends, could join forces for another NBA title run.

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Sometimes it feels like the media likes to just kick Houston Rockets fans while they’re down, and Tuesday and Wednesday were no different. I was just minding my business, scrolling on Twitter while thinking about how I will manage without Rocket’s basketball till October (depressing, I know), when I saw a tweet going around saying that the Rockets had significant interest in Stephon Castle around the 2024 NBA Draft, but Castle told Houston not to bother.

Stephon Castle’s camp reportedly sent signals to the Houston Rockets not to draft him because he didn’t want to play behind Fred VanVleet and Jalen Green, per @sam_amick

“Per league sources, Rockets coach and former Spurs assistant Ime Udoka was a huge fan of Castle’s (which… pic.twitter.com/wD0DupYR5L

— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) June 10, 2026

Now, the 2024 draft was a weird one for Houston since, despite having a 41-41 record the season before, Houston was able to receive the third pick in the draft. Everyone wondered what player Houston would take with the pick since Stephon Castle, Reed Sheppard, and Donovan Clingan were all mentioned. However, there was a wrinkle in Houston’s potential plan, as there had been rumors that Castle had no interest in joining some teams, particularly those with a point guard. This meant the Rockets, who had signed Fred Vanvleet to a contract the previous summer, would likely be out of the running since it was clear Castle wanted a starting role, or did he?

Well, according to Sam Amick of The Athletic, it all turned out to be a smokescreen and conspiracy to get to Castle’s preferred destination, the San Antonio Spurs.

“At the time, there were reports that Castle’s choice not to conduct private workouts with several teams was driven by his desire to avoid teams that already had an established starting point guard

One of those teams was the Houston Rockets, who ultimately took Reed Sheppard out of Kentucky with the third pick. Per league sources, Rockets coach and former Spurs assistant Ime Udoka was a huge fan of Castle’s (which Castle said he was well aware of). But with veteran Fred VanVleet manning the point guard position and young Jalen Green at the two-guard spot, Castle and his camp sent the kinds of signals Houston’s way that eventually led to him landing in San Antonio. Just as he’d hoped,“

It would have been intriguing to watch the fit with Amen Thompson. It’s also crucial to keep in mind that the Rockets, who finished 23rd in outside shooting, had a significant shooting deficiency in the season leading up to that draft. However, it’s also important to note that, after what was essentially a redshirt rookie season last year, Sheppard was considered for the Sixth Man of the Year award, finishing with some votes. Therefore, the Rockets did not make a poor decision. Houston needed shooting, and that’s what Reed gave them. You can be upset about how the draft worked out without holding it against Sheppard, who has a bright future ahead.

Having stated all of that, what are your thoughts? How do you feel about this all coming out nearly two years after the 2024 draft? Do you blame Stephon Castle for going about this how he did? Let us know, and as always go Rockets.

Knicks takeover.

New York is the top-billing state for Game 5 of the NBA Finals between the Knicks and Spurs, even though the game is in San Antonio, according to SeatGeek.

Thirty-one percent of the billing is from Knicks territory, New York and New Jersey, while just 20 percent is from the Spurs’ home state of Texas.

This is a huge increase from Game 1, when New York and New Jersey states grabbed 13 percent, and Game 2 (17 percent).

Texas was responsible for at least 41 percent of ticket sales in each of those games.

The Knicks-heavy crowd was expected regardless of the Game 4 outcome, with New York and New Jersey buyers still accounting for 28 percent of sales prior to June 10.

The surge of Knicks fans has also come with a surge in price.

Prior to Game 4, the get-in price was $1,481. It has since risen 20 percent to $1,774 after the Knicks’ historic 29-point comeback put them up 3-1 in the series.

The price is still nothing compared to Madison Square Garden’s numbers, which saw a $4,585 get-in price, including fees, on the day of Game 3.

The most expensive ticket, courtside near the center of the court, was auctioned for $500,000.

Knicks fans have traveled well all postseason, with New Jersey and New York responsible for 47 percent of ticket sales in Game 3 of the 76ers series and 58 percent in Game 4.

An impressive celebrity row is also expected in San Antonio, with the likes of Fat Joe, Timothée Chalamet, Patrick Ewing, and Ben Stiller previously making appearances at Frost Bank Center.

It’s getting more and more physical.

Spurs star Victor Wembanyama, who picked up a flagrant foul for a hard hit on Karl-Anthony Towns in Wednesday’s historic NBA Finals loss to the Knicks, also got up close and personal with eventual Game 4 hero OG Anunoby.

With San Antonio leading 41-22 at the end of the first quarter, Wembanyama broke free from defender Jeremy Sochan to set a screen for De’Aaron Fox in an attempt to evade Anunoby’s defense.

Knciks bump Wemby quite a few times, then Wemby complains to ref pic.twitter.com/gCtduRgOoI

— Jared Schwartz (@jschwartz115) June 11, 2026

The video, shared by The Post’s Jared Schwartz, shows Wembanyama approaching Anunoby, jumping and lunging forward, landing awkwardly on top of the Knicks star’s right leg.

Neither player appeared to suffer any ill effects of Wembanyama’s closeout, but the 7-foot-4 center bumped Anunoby several more times for the rest of the possession, and even directed a complaint toward a referee.

No fouls were called on the play.

After being down 29 points, New York staged the biggest comeback in NBA Finals history with a 107-106 win – but Wembanyama continues to be on the receiving end of vitriol — and eggs — from the Knicks faithful.

“For those of you who don’t think Wemby is dirty explain this without saying it’s AI,” WFAN host Craig Carton wrote on X about the Anunoby screen.

“Dude tried to take OG’s ACL,” Buffalo Bills host Nate Geary wrote in response to the video.

While the angle from ESPN’s broadcast shows that Sochan might have shoved Wembanyama into Anunoby, any borderline physicality involving the French big man will be under a microscope.

The MVP finalist has drawn the ire of Knicks fans after a hard foul on star Jalen Brunson in Game 3 on Monday.

Wembanyama shoved Brunson to the ground in the first quarter of Monday’s contest, while appearing to laugh, and was not called for a personal foul, much less a flagrant.

Everyone from President Donald Trump to Mayor Zohran Mamdani ripped the non-call on Wembanyama.

Despite NBA senior vice president of referee development and training Monty McCutchen admitting a “foul was missed,” the league elected not to issue a retroactive flagrant on Wembanyama, a ruling that now looms large for the remainder of the series.

Entering the Finals, Wembanyama already carried two flagrant points for elbowing the Timberwolves center Naz Reid in the throat during the Western Conference semifinals.

After being hit with a flagrant for elbowing Towns in the third quarter of Game 4, Wembanyama now carries three points — a fourth would trigger an immediate one-game suspension.

If the NBA reviews the Anunoby play and issues a retroactive flagrant, Wembanyama would be suspended for Game 5.

Carrying a 3-1 series lead, the Knicks will look to clinch the franchise’s first title since 1973 as the teams return to San Antonio for Game 5 Saturday night.

Former New York City Mayor Mike Bloomberg praised his “new friend” Knicks guard Jose Alvarado for the team’s historic comeback Wednesday night, playfully announcing they had a “smoother” encounter than their viral run-in at Game 3.

Bloomberg shared a picture of him and Alvarado that was snapped while they chatted courtside before Game 4.

“Our second meeting went a little smoother. Huge congrats to my new friend [Alvarado] and the [Knicks] on their historic comeback. Don’t ever count NYC out. One more to go. Let’s Go Knicks!” Bloomberg captioned the post.

Alvarado and Bloomberg had an uncomfortably close first encounter on Monday.

During Game 3, Alvarado flew into celebrity row while trying to retrieve a loose ball — and landed right on top of Bloomberg.

The 84-year-old looked a little shaken up, but appeared otherwise unscathed.

Alvarado put his arms around Bloomberg and patted him on the chest after the collision, seemingly attempting to apologize before diving back into the game. 

To make matters worse, the Knicks fell to the Spurs within the hour, shattering their 13-game win streak.

Some fans suggested that Bloomberg was “the good luck charm” whose sheer presence secured Wednesday’s come-from-behind victory.

“Mikes leadership rubbed off on Jose!!” one woman commented.

“Craziest full circle ever,” another added.

“Still my mayor,” one person concluded.

Current New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani attended Game 3 with a gaggle of Empire State lawmakers in the standing-room section. He was spotted cheering on the Knicks during Game 4 at a bar in Queens.

The GOAT conversation has surfaced yet again after LeBron James told Time magazine, “I’m not taking nobody over me.”

When Stephen A. Smith was asked about James’ comments on ESPN’s “First Take,” he didn’t hold back from pointing out that Michael Jordan and other NBA greats would never call themselves the GOAT.

“I know Michael Jordan, I speak to him often. I’m telling you, he has never, ever, ever, once called himself the greatest,” Smith said on “First Take.” “It’s never happened. Kobe Bryant didn’t call himself the greatest. Kareem [Abdul-Jabbar] didn’t call himself the greatest …”

Smith continued to list other former NBA greats and didn’t withhold from taking shots at James when telling the rest of the “First Take” hosts why James would say this.

"Michael Jordan would never tell you he’s the GOAT. "@stephenasmith reacts to LeBron's GOAT comments pic.twitter.com/mWrEv1NZXM

— First Take (@FirstTake) June 10, 2026

“Because the man is addicted to trying to control the narrative,” Smith said. “These are the reasons problems exist, and so many people who support him, they haven’t seen the forest for the trees. They get caught up in that moment.”

When James said he wouldn’t take anybody over himself, he said he believes Jordan, Bryant, Magic Johnson, Larry Bird, Shaquille O’Neal, Wilt Chamberlain and Abdul-Jabbar would say the same thing.

“If there’s a general manager and he’s eyeballing all of us on a baseline, with the No. 1 pick, it’s gonna be hard not to take me, champ,” James said.

Despite James’ point that these NBA greats would take themselves over anybody, Smith spent the rest of the segment delivering shot after shot on James, and said he calculates every move he makes, and when he retires, he will be remembered as the best statistically.

“As I told you before. He is on the Mount Rushmore. He is one of the top two in the history [of the NBA] …,” Smith said. “But that’s as far as he’s getting. As long as I’m breathing, and I’m on airwaves, it will never be what he wants it to be.”

Knicks lead radio analyst Monica McNutt said she “misspoke” after she questioned Taylor Swift’s Knicks loyalty while on the air during Game 4 of the 2026 NBA Finals.

During a Thursday interview with TMZ, McNutt — who said “get out of here, girl” when she spotted Swift on Celebrity Row — explained that she was unaware of the singer’s Knicks fandom.

“Swifties, I appreciate your passion, I said what I said,” McNutt said, referring to Swift’s fan base, which let her hear on social media over her remarks. “Here’s the deal, if I’m wrong, I am wrong apparently because she’s got an original Amar’e Stoudemire [Knicks] jersey. I misspoke. I did not know.”

EXCLUSIVE: Knicks radio host Monica McNutt apologizes to Taylor Swift for NBA finals comment. pic.twitter.com/JLyor4PvIA

— TMZ (@TMZ) June 11, 2026

McNutt was likely referring to a viral photo from 2014 of Swift rocking a Knicks jersey with former New York stars Carmelo Anthony and Amar’e Stoudemire on the court at Madison Square Garden. She’s wearing a No. 13 jersey, her favorite number, in the photo.

“But here’s the deal, context, I literally just did apiece on Celebrity Row,” McNutt said. “I’ve been with his organization for five years. I know these folks — Ben Stiller, his wife Christine [Taylor], Spike Lee, Fat Joe. I had not seen her here this year or last year and we just saw her in Cleveland with her fiancé [Travis Kelce for Game 3 of Eastern Conference finals].

"She's not a Knicks fan. Get out of here girl!"

Monica McNutt is not a fan of Taylor Swift being at Game 4.

On the other hand, Tyler Murray made sure to get a picture for his wife. pic.twitter.com/dVaJ0p8QEj

— New York Post Sports (@nypostsports) June 11, 2026

“Obviously Travis supports the Cavs. She didn’t have any Knicks paraphernalia [on at the game], so I didn’t know of her Knicks loyalty. But shoutout to T. Swift, we can be united in orange and blue, it’s fine.

“I did not know, I apologize if I’m wrong and apparently i am wrong and that fine but I did not know, because come on now — every Knicks fan has been in the building this year. So it’s all good.”

McNutt added that the Knicks’ historic comeback from down by as many as 29 to beat the Spurs 107-106 overpowered any discourse that her remarks may have caused.

“Did you see how the way that game ended? Nobody cared about this at all,” McNutt said. “I knew it was a big deal on the internet, but I was too busy enjoying the actual game because I got it like that.”

McNutt ruffled some feathers after she told her broadcast partner, Tyler Murray, that Swift was in the building and he pulled out his phone to take a photo.

“She’s not a Knicks fan. Get out of here, girl,” McNutt said, which set off Swifties online.

Swift attended her first Knicks game of the season and nearly stole the spotlight on Celebrity Row at Madison Square Garden on Wednesday night.

The 14-time Grammy winner and her friends, singing sisters Este and Alana Haim, wore matching blue and orange shirts with Knicks puns.

They were cheering for New York throughout the game and enjoyed a celebration in the back hallways of MSG, where Swift was jumping up and down and swinging a towel in the air.

Swift, who owns multiple properties in New York, hasn’t claimed to be a diehard Knicks fan, but she has attended games at MSG.

She’s also from the East Coast and is a Reading, Pa. native.

Swift and Kelce are set to tie the knot at the World’s Most Famous Arena on July 3.

The 2026 NBA Draft is less than two weeks away, and the latest batch of national mock drafts suggest there is no consensus yet on how the picks will fall outside of the top four. BYU's A.J. Dybantsa, Darryn Peterson of Kansas, Duke's Cameron Boozer and UNC's Caleb Wilson are the odds-on favorites to go in the top-four in some order, with Dybantsa still the trendy choice to go No. 1 overall to the Washington Wizards.

But predictions for what happens from there remain unsettled, and the changes are perhaps best reflected through the latest mock draft curated by USA TODAY Sports using Microsoft Copilot's AI chat bot. Artificial intelligence adjusted its take on the draft only one week after its previous run-through with this mock draft exercise.

So Illinois guard Keaton Wagler, Michigan's Aday Mara and Baylor's Cameron Carr moved up based on Microsoft Copilot's analysis of the latest mock drafts, prospect analysis, team needs and rumors and intel related to pre-draft workouts and front office discussions. Koa Peat of Arizona and Houston's Chris Cenac Jr., meanwhile, saw their stock drop in the eyes of AI.

The real answers are likely to be shrouded in mystery until the first round of the 2026 NBA Draft begins on June 23.

Here's a breakdown of Microsoft Copilot AI's latest 2026 NBA mock draft, including the chatbot's reasoning for making each first-round pick:

2026 NBA mock draft by USA TODAY Sports

You can compare AI's picks to the latest USA TODAY 2026 NBA mock draft by clicking here.

2026 NBA mock draft: AI picks entire first round

USA TODAY Sports asked Microsoft Copilot AI to generate a mock draft for the first round of the 2026 NBA Draft featuring only players eligible this year now that the NBA draft withdrawl deadline passed for college players. The chatbot was asked to base its selections on current mock drafts from reputable websites, as well as the latest intel on team needs, prospect analysis, pre-draft workouts and the most up-to-date draft withdrawal news.

Note: AI models still have issues with accuracy as seen in the mock draft below. Of particular note, Microsoft Copilot needed additional prompts after several picks were inaccurately assigned to teams. The average mock draft pick referenced for each player was compiled by USA TODAY Sports using 13 of the latest mock drafts from national websites around the country, including USA TODAY.

1. Washington Wizards: AJ Dybantsa, BYU

• Average mock draft pick: 1
• AI analysis: "A franchise-caliber scoring wing with elite size and shot-creation gives Washington the offensive centerpiece it’s lacked."

2. Utah Jazz: Darryn Peterson, Kansas

• Average mock draft pick: 2
• AI analysis: "Utah lands a polished three-level scorer who fits seamlessly as a long-term backcourt engine."

3. Memphis Grizzlies: Cameron Boozer, Duke

• Average mock draft pick: 3
• AI analysis: "Boozer’s production, feel, and physicality make him the safest star bet to anchor Memphis’ next era."

4. Chicago Bulls: Caleb Wilson, North Carolina

• Average mock draft pick: 4
• AI analysis: "Chicago swings on two-way upside with a versatile forward who can impact both ends immediately."

5. Los Angeles Clippers: Darius Acuff Jr., Arkansas

• Average mock draft pick: 6
• AI analysis: "A dynamic lead guard gives the Clippers a much-needed infusion of young shot creation."

6. Brooklyn Nets: Mikel Brown Jr., Louisville

• Average mock draft pick: 7
• AI analysis: "Brooklyn bets on elite scoring upside with a guard capable of becoming a primary offensive option."

7. Sacramento Kings: Kingston Flemings, Houston

• Average mock draft pick: 8
• AI analysis: "The Kings add an explosive playmaker who raises both tempo and long-term ceiling."

8. Atlanta Hawks: Aday Mara, Michigan

• Average mock draft pick: 11
• AI analysis: "Atlanta targets size and rim protection with a unique 7-footer who can anchor the defense."

9. Dallas Mavericks: Brayden Burries, Arizona

• Average mock draft pick: 9
• AI analysis: "A versatile combo guard provides secondary creation and scoring punch to stabilize the offense."

10. Milwaukee Bucks: Keaton Wagler, Illinois

• Average mock draft pick: 5
• AI analysis: "Milwaukee adds a steady, high-IQ guard who can contribute right away in a win-now rotation."

11. Golden State Warriors: Nate Ament, Tennessee

• Average mock draft pick: 10
• AI analysis: "Golden State grabs a long, skilled forward who fits its motion system and future wing needs."

12. Oklahoma City Thunder: Labaron Philon, Alabama

• Average mock draft pick: 13
• AI analysis: "OKC continues stockpiling upside with a creative scoring guard who adds offensive versatility."

13. Miami Heat: Karim Lopez, New Zealand Breakers (NBL)

• Average mock draft pick: 14
• AI analysis: "Miami lands a tough, energetic wing tailor-made for its development system."

14. Charlotte Hornets: Yaxel Lendeborg, Michigan

• Average mock draft pick: 12
• AI analysis: "A mature, productive forward gives Charlotte immediate frontcourt reliability."

15. Chicago Bulls: Jayden Quaintance, Kentucky

• Average mock draft pick: 18
• AI analysis: "Chicago makes a high-upside gamble on an elite defensive prospect with game-changing tools."

16. Memphis Grizzlies: Cameron Carr, Baylor

• Average mock draft pick: 15
• AI analysis: "Memphis adds perimeter shooting and athleticism to complement its frontcourt cornerstone."

17. Oklahoma City Thunder: Dailyn Swain, Texas

• Average mock draft pick: 23
• AI analysis: "Another switchable wing fits perfectly into OKC’s defensive identity and ball movement ethos."

18. Charlotte Hornets: Hannes Steinbach, Washington

• Average mock draft pick: 17
• AI analysis: "Charlotte invests in interior size and rebounding to stabilize its young core."

19. Toronto Raptors: Bennett Stirtz, Iowa

• Average mock draft pick: 19
• AI analysis: "Toronto secures a steady, efficient guard to organize its offense and limit mistakes."

20. San Antonio Spurs: Chris Cenac Jr., Houston

• Average mock draft pick: 21
• AI analysis: "San Antonio adds an athletic big who complements its frontcourt with energy and defense."

21. Detroit Pistons: Christian Anderson, Texas Tech

• Average mock draft pick: 20
• AI analysis: "Detroit strengthens its guard depth with a pass-first playmaker who enhances ball movement."

22. Philadelphia 76ers: Morez Johnson Jr., Michigan

• Average mock draft pick: 16
• AI analysis: "Philadelphia adds physicality and rebounding to bolster its frontcourt rotation."

23. Atlanta Hawks: Koa Peat, Arizona

• Average mock draft pick: 25
• AI analysis: "Atlanta brings in a physical forward who adds toughness and interior scoring."

24. New York Knicks: Allen Graves, Santa Clara

• Average mock draft pick: 22
• AI analysis: "New York targets a productive, hard-nosed forward who fits its identity and rotation needs."

25. Los Angeles Lakers: Ebuka Okorie, Stanford

• Average mock draft pick: 24
• AI analysis: "Los Angeles injects youth and scoring ability into its backcourt rotation."

26. Denver Nuggets: Meleek Thomas Arkansas

• Average mock draft pick: 27
• AI analysis: "Denver adds a scoring guard who can carry bench units and relieve offensive pressure."

27. Boston Celtics: Isaiah Evans, Duke

• Average mock draft pick: 26 (appeared in 12/13 mock drafts)
• AI analysis: "Boston selects a long, floor-spacing wing who fits seamlessly into its spacing-heavy system."

28. Minnesota Timberwolves: Henri Veesaar, North Carolina

• Average mock draft pick: 29 (appeared in 12/13 mock drafts)
• AI analysis: "Minnesota adds a mobile big to deepen its frontcourt and protect against lineup matchup issues."

29. Cleveland Cavaliers: Tarris Reed Jr., UConn

• Average mock draft pick: 30 (appeared in 10/13 mock drafts)
• AI analysis: "Cleveland strengthens its interior toughness with a physical rebounder built for playoff basketball."

30. Dallas Mavericks: Joshua Jefferson, Iowa State

• Average mock draft pick: 28 (appeared in 11/13 mock drafts)
• AI analysis: "Dallas lands a versatile forward whose feel and defensive flexibility fit a modern, balanced roster build."

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: NBA mock draft 2026: AI predicts first round picks after latest rumors

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A brutal night for Victor Wembanyama continued even after he returned to his New York hotel on Wednesday, as he was pelted with boos from jeering Knicks fans and nearly struck by a flying egg.

A video shared online showed at least one egg tossed in the direction of the San Antonio Spurs superstar as he entered his hotel, flanked by security, after the team’s Game 4 loss to the Knicks.

It was not clear who threw the egg. The video showed taunting fans swarming the hotel, a few blocks south of Madison Square Garden.

Related: Wembanyama condemns apparent attacks on Spurs fans in New York during NBA finals

A few seconds after the egg cracks on a street sign, Wembanyama turns around and confronts a person standing near the hotel’s entrance, before continuing inside.

The Spurs did not immediately respond to a request seeking clarity on whether the object struck Wembanyama.

The confrontation followed a historic collapse by the Spurs, who now find themselves on the brink of elimination after blowing a 29-point lead to the Knicks. Wembanyama missed two key free throws in the game’s final minutes.

The Knicks’ victory prompted scenes of bedlam and jubilation across New York City, as ecstatic fans packed the streets, set off fireworks, scaled lamp-posts and at times clashed with police. According to the New York police department, 56 people were taken into custody for charges that ranged from assault to disorderly conduct.

“Once again, there were large crowds of people who engaged in incredibly reckless and dangerous behavior last night both during and after the game,” the police department said in a statement.

An NYPD spokesperson said they had nothing on file about the egg incident.

Earlier this week, players from both teams condemned apparent attacks on Spurs fans by supporters of the Knicks. Video had circulated showing San Antonio fans having their jerseys ripped off in the streets of New York after the Spurs’ win in Game 3 on Monday.

“My thoughts of course [are] that we can’t forget it’s a game,” Spurs star Victor Wembanyama said about the incidents. “We’re just playing a game out there. I am all for passion, but [with] the respect of each other. It’s unacceptable.”

Added Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns: “The game is built off of respect and passion. We want everyone to respect each other. We want everyone to enjoy basketball at its purest state. It’s the NBA finals. There’s no better place to watch basketball. Leave the physicality to everyone on the court.”

Every once in a while, you see something you've never seen before. Something that makes the impossible, possible, regardless of what the odds say. On June 10, the New York Knicks gave fans another moment that will forever be a snapshot in time.

Erasing a 29-point lead in Game 4 of the 2026 NBA Finals to take a commanding 3-1 series lead, the Knicks' comeback story is one that will be told for years to come. You'll remember where you were, what the weather was like, what you ate for dinner and maybe the first call or text you made in the immediate aftermath of the OG Anunoby shot heard around the sports world.

Whether the comeback is the greatest in sports history is up for debate. At the very least, Game 4 of the NBA Finals went from being a game Knicks fans couldn't wait to turn off to being a game they can't relive enough.

Anatomy of a stunning comeback: How Knicks pulled off improbable win

Now on the doorstep of their first NBA title since 1973, the job isn't finished. In the meantime, let's put the comeback into context.

Here's a look at how the Knicks' comeback compares to the New England Patriots' famous 28-3 comeback against the Atlanta Falcons in Super Bowl 51, by the numbers.

Knicks comeback compared to Patriots' 28-3, by the numbers

Largest lead

The Spurs held a 29-point lead with 9:40 to go in the third quarter, meaning they just had to survive for another 21 minutes and 40 seconds of game time. On the gridiron, the Falcons were up 28-3 with 8:31 to go in the third quarter. They held that lead until just over two minutes remaining in the quarter, when New England cut the deficit to 19.

Score at the start of the fourth quarter

There was a sense of impending doom for both the Falcons and Spurs entering the fourth quarter. Both sides had to know that no lead was safe against an opponent that had proven time and time again their ability to mount large comebacks.

Still, both teams held a double-digit lead entering the final quarter:

• Falcons led 28-9
• Spurs led 90-75

99%

That was the win probability for the Spurs and Falcons in the game, according to ESPN Analytics. San Antonio's win probability topped out at 99.6% when a De'Aaron Fox jumper put them up by 29. Despite the dwindling lead, the Spurs still had a 99.5% chance of winning with just over eight minutes left in the fourth quarter.

As for the Falcons, they still had a 97.5% chance of winning with just 4:40 to go. It was down the peak of Atlanta's win probability, which was 99.7% before the Patriots' third quarter touchdown.

1

The number of points the Knicks won by in Game 4. It's also the number of leads the Patriots had in Super Bowl 51. That's right, New England's one and only lead of that contest was the game-winning touchdown in overtime.

Key moments in Knicks, Patriots comebacks

Comebacks of this magnitude aren't possible without a little big of luck and good fortune. Luckily for the Patriots and Knicks, their opponents were willing to provide plenty of opportunity.

Here are a few turning points:

Knicks-Spurs turning point

The Spurs' demise can be traced back to the 10:09 mark of the third quarter. Stephon Castle would pick up his fourth foul of the game, a charge drawn by Jalen Brunson, forcing the Spurs' rookie to take a seat. Head coach Mitch Johnson elected to sub in Keldon Johnson for Castle, leaving Fox as the primary ball handler on the court.

After a Karl-Anthony Towns turnover, Victor Wembanyama was whistled for what eventually became a flagrant foul. Wembanyama's confidence was clearly shaken after that, given the chance of a looming suspension if he picked up another.

Victor Wembanyama has been assessed a Flagrant 1 foul for elbowing Karl-Anthony Towns.

Wemby is now one Flagrant Foul point away from a 1-game suspension.pic.twitter.com/NSpCMC44nK

— Underdog NBA (@UnderdogNBA) June 11, 2026

Without Castle's calming presence on the floor and ability to get to the rim, the Spurs became reliant on Wembanyama to create. With him being rattled in the wake of the flagrant foul that the home crowd was desperate for, it allowed the fans back into the game to make an impact of their own.

San Antonio became the gambler that chases losses. Having already dug a hole, the Spurs fell in love with 3-point shooting, hoping to recapture that first half magic. They made just 3-of-17 looks from beyond the arc in the second half after sinking 14 of 26 in the first half.

Instead of relying on getting to the rim, the Spurs seemingly took their foot off the gas and allowed the Knicks to chip away – a move that might've cost them a championship.

Patriots-Falcons turning point

The Falcons, just like the Spurs, lacked the situational awareness that the moment required. Up 28-3 in the third quarter, Atlanta no longer needed to flex its muscle with a high-powered passing attack. Instead it should've become a game of possession and possessions, given that New England needed time and the ball in order to steal a victory.

The Falcons were more than happy enough to oblige. Atlanta possessed the ball three times in the fourth quarter going up 25. Dan Quinn's team failed to run more than 2:26 off the clock on all three.

However, the biggest turning point came with 9:44 left in the third quarter. Having just allowed a field goal to make the score 28-12, the Falcons had a chance to run precious time off the clock. A pair of runs from Tevin Coleman set up a third-and-1.

Conventional wisdom would suggest to run it again, taking 40 seconds off the clock at the very least. If Atlanta picked up the first down, it keeps the drive going and likely puts the game out of reach. Instead, Matt Ryan dropped back to pass and was sacked by Dont'a Hightower. Adding insult to injury, the quarterback fumbled and the Patriots recovered at the Atlanta 25-yard-line, giving them the short field they needed.

STRIP SACK

Dont'a Hightower with one of the biggest plays of Super Bowl LI for the @Patriots#LiveOnFOXpic.twitter.com/d0xm2sbp3a

— FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) March 29, 2020

Just over two minutes later, the damage was done and it was a one-possession game with all the momentum on the New England sideline. After tying it up to send the Super Bowl to overtime, the Patriots got the opening kickoff and everyone in the world knew they were marching down the field for the game-winning touchdown.

Which comeback was more impressive?

The NBA might've switched the characters, swapping in Mitch Johnson, Victor Wembanyama and Jalen Brunson for Dan Quinn, Matt Ryan and Tom Brady, but the stories are quite similar. Both the Falcons and Spurs played dominant in the first half at a level that was unsustainable.

A second half regression to the mean was inevitable, but both sides took their foot off the gas thinking they could coast to the finish. In some ways, the Falcons and Spurs looked like teams that thought the opponent was simply going to quit and give up – something that the Patriots and Knicks don't have in their DNA.

"It ain't over till it's over," as New York Yankees legend Yogi Berra would say.

If you're really trying to measure one comeback against the other, however, the Patriots are worthy of getting the edge. They had no margin for error in the Super Bowl, meaning there was no chance for revenge with a loss. They either win the Super Bowl or they don't – there was no tomorrow, just next season.

Even if the Knicks lost Game 4, they would be tied 2-2 in the series with at least two more games to play. Point is, the Knicks' comeback is just a chapter in this NBA Finals. It could be the chapter, but that means they would have to fend off a more impressive comeback by the Spurs if they overcome a 3-1 series deficit.

That is the fundamental difference between the two comebacks and that's without accounting for the clock component. New England had to limit Atlanta to short possessions, which isn't always possible if the opposition handles the clock properly.

Massive shifts happen more frequently in basketball, simply due to the nature of the back-and-forth action, creating scoring runs that quickly cut into large deficits. With free throws stopping the clock, the Knicks' comeback is one that could be replicated more often – something that was evidenced by their Game 1 effort against Cleveland one round ago.

Debate history if you want, but no one is taking anything away from two historic nights in sports. After all, there's plenty of room for both.

So move over, 28-3. 29-point lead would like to take a seat.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Comparing Knicks NBA Finals comeback to Patriots' 28-3 in Super Bowl

Celtics ‘in on' Giannis, ‘open to trading anybody' but Tatum: Reports originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston

The Giannis-to-Boston rumors are heating back up.

Prominent NBA insiders Kevin O’Connor (Yahoo Sports) and Bill Simmons (The Ringer) reignited the Giannis Antetokounmpo trade discourse with eye-opening updates on the Celtics’ interest in the Milwaukee Bucks superstar. O’Connor said the C’s are willing to part ways with all but one of their players.

“I have heard Boston is shopping people around a lot right now, that Boston is making calls, Boston is open to trading anybody besides Jayson Tatum,” O’Connor said on The Kevin O’Connor Show. “And that doesn’t necessarily mean they land Giannis at the end of the day, but I do believe, based off of everything and all the conversations I’ve had, is that the Celtics are in on Giannis, and that they are making a push on him… This feels very, very real to me.”

Simmons, who had initially poured cold water on the Giannis-to-Boston rumors, changed his tune on Thursday.

“I thought Boston was out of this,” Simmons said on theBill Simmons Podcast. “I know Boston was out of this. I was wondering if they were playing possum or not. I think they were playing a little possum. I think they are in on Giannis.

“I’m not recanting what I said before. I don’t know the reasons for it. Maybe they felt like Miami’s offer is an offer they could beat. Maybe they want to drive the price of Miami’s offer up and don’t really have interest in him.”

Simmons added that Boston remains among Giannis’ preferred destinations.

Those updates coincided with an interesting X post by Celtics star Jaylen Brown, who would presumably be the centerpiece of a Giannis deal.

“The neighbor’s rice always smells better,” Brown wrote.

The neighbors rice always smells better

— Jaylen Brown (@FCHWPO) June 11, 2026

So, what should we make of the latest Giannis rumors? Kayla Burton, Phil Perry, and Marc Bertrand shared their reactions during Thursday’s Early Edition.

“I wouldn’t mind it as long as the guy is healthy,” Burton said. “He only played 36 games last season. … That’s my only concern when it comes to him. … He’s on the upside of 31 years old now, had some injuries. … I just don’t know the number of pieces that they have to trade away.”

Antetokounmpo was limited to 36 games due to multiple injuries, including a hyperextension and bone bruise in his left knee. The two-time NBA MVP remained elite when healthy, averaging 27.6 points, 9.8 rebounds, and 5.4 assists while shooting over 62 percent from the field.

“He’s still a great player, and when you look at some of the advanced numbers, he’s still one of the best offensive players in basketball when he’s on the court,” Perry said. “I think part of the reason he’s missed time is because he’s just been checked out in Milwaukee, so I don’t worry as much as some others do about his health.

“I just take away from the reporting from Kevin O’Connor, they’re willing to trade anybody, or they’re shopping anybody not named Jayson Tatum. OK, they’re willing to potentially move Jaylen Brown, and they’re in on Giannis. … I’m not sure there’s a package out there, whether it’s Miami or anywhere else that would beat the Celtics’ willingness to trade away a second-team All-NBA guy.”

Trading Brown would be a stunning development. The 2024 NBA Finals MVP has been key to Boston’s success since being selected third overall in the 2016 draft. He took his game to another level this past season with Tatum sidelined, averaging a career-high 28.6 points per game and finishing sixth in the MVP race.

But after blowing a 3-1 series lead in their first-round playoff matchup vs. the Philadelphia 76ers, it’s time for Brad Stevens and the C’s to reevaluate their situation.

“You’ve got to watch what is playing out right now with the teams that are dominating, whether you want to say it’s the Knicks or it’s the Spurs,” Bertrand said. “Which of those teams are you going to compete with with this current roster? The Knicks have already beaten you once. Are you going to compete against the Spurs with the way this roster is currently constructed?

“If the Celtics are all in on building a championship team, they might need it to look different than the way it looks now.”

If Antetokounmpo is moved, it’ll likely happen before the 2026 NBA Draft on June 23.

Watch the full Early Edition segment in the video player above.

The Lakers have a clear need for athleticism across the floor and, particularly, on the perimeter. It’s something that was apparent even at the trade deadline and could be seen in the players the team was targeting.

There were a ton of other players they were connected to, like Keon Ellis, that they couldn’t pick up at the deadline. In the end, Ellis was traded to the Cavaliers. However, his time in Cleveland wasn’t exactly a great experience. In the playoffs, he was ineffective and non-existent.

Ellis played beyond 10 minutes only once in the postseason, did not play multiple times and provided nothing offensively. He went 5-15 from the field, scoring just 19 points across eight games and had a plus-minus of -31.

Now that the season is over, the Cavaliers have some tough decisions to make. As a second-apron team, money is going to be tight. Ellis was already set for free agency and, after underperforming, it looks unlikely Cleveland is going to retain him.

In a recent article, NBA insider Jake Fischer reported on Ellis likely being the odd man out with the Cavs.

The most pressing piece of roster business in Cleveland, outside of the Cavaliers ironing out a future agreement with James Harden, will come down to its decisions on Dean Wade and Keon Ellis as they seek to move out of the second apron.

Sources say that team officials already concede behind the scenes that it will be extremely difficult to keep both players. My early read: The priority is likely going to be bringing back Wade, who started a career-high 38 games this season and has been one of Cleveland’s top point-of-attack defenders as a jumbo-sized swingman.

This could be exactly the kind of opportunity the Lakers could take advantage of. They have more cap space than most teams this offseason, and they can pick up quality players other teams can’t retain due to the apron restrictions.

And considering the down postseason Ellis had, there’s a chance for LA to buy low on Ellis as Fisher detailed later in his report.

Ellis’ market, meanwhile, has seemingly taken a bit of a hit since February, when league sources say half the league was expressing interest in acquiring him from Sacramento via trade. The Cavaliers always appeared to be a curious landing spot for Ellis compared to a team like the Lakers that had a clear need for perimeter defenders. It remains to be seen how Ellis fares in free agency now after largely falling out of Kenny Atkinson’s playoff rotation.

Ellis averaged a modest 6.7 points, 1.9 rebounds and 1.0 assists per game this season. He actually was better statistically in many ways with Cleveland as he averaged 8.3 points, 2.8 rebounds, 1.6 assists and shot 49.1% from the field. His greatest value lies in his defense. He is a solid perimeter defender who averaged 1.3 steals per game in Cleveland.

While things didn’t go according to plan for him in the playoffs with the Cavs, it’s hard to trust a franchise that traded for James Harden to push them over the top in the playoffs. If they do move on from Ellis this offseason, don’t be surprised if the Lakers are involved.

You can follow Edwin on Twitter at @ECreates88 or on Bluesky at @ecreates88.bsky.social.