Josh Hart nearly brought Larry David to his knees.
The guard’s missed layup with 1:57 left in the fourth quarter as the Knicks sought to fully realize their 29-point comeback in Game 4 of the NBA Finals on Wednesday caused David, the “Seinfeld” co-creator and “Curb Your Enthusiasm” star, to nearly fall over in shock on celebrity row.
Hart was later beaten to a rebound and fouled Stephon Castle, who sank a pair of free throws with 30.3 seconds left to give the Spurs a lead.
Fortunately for Hart, the flub became a moot point, thanks to OG Anunoby’s tip-in with 1.2 seconds left to give the Knicks the 107-106 lead they wouldn’t relinquish.
“I’ve got a special shoutout for OG, man, because he saved me, at least for this game, a lifetime of regret,” Hart said.
Larry David after the tip in by OG Anunoby went in. Getty Images
Anunoby not only saved Hart, but also David, a native New Yorker, longtime Knicks fans and sideline staple, who was able to revel in the record win with the rest of celebrity row.
The bonkers postgame scene saw David and Jerry Seinfeld embrace, both being among a fan base unable to believe what they’d just seen.
Pop superstar Taylor Swift was hugging pals and fellow musicians Alana and Este Haim along with “Law & Order: SVU” star Mariska Hargitay — all decked out in custom “Stevie Knicks” t-shirts.
Timothée Chalamet celebrated wildly after the win, jumping up and down with fans and even stealing a reporter’s mic to tell the world that the Knicks would win in 5.
In less than two minutes, David went from near-collapse to over-the-top jubilation — and now, the Knicks, up 3-1 in the series, sit one win away from their first NBA title in 53 years.
As David’s version of himself on “Curb Your Enthusiasm” famously says, “Pretty, pretty, pretty good!”
The ninth pick in the NBA Draft is quite the interesting place to be. When you look back at the past 25 to 30 years, the swings between “complete flame out” and “Hall of Famer” are quite volatile. Dirk Nowitzki, Amar’e Stoudamire, Andre Iguodala, DeMar Derozan and Kemba Walker were all selected at the ninth pick. In that same span, Rodney White, Mike Sweetney, Ike Diogu and Pat O’Bryant were all picked. Volatile is an understatement!
In recent years as teams have refined the draft process, the swings have gotten a bit less dramatic. With that in mind, let’s look back specifically at the last ten NBA Drafts to see if we can find any trends that could help us see what the Dallas Mavericks could be doing in this draft.
Flame outs
2017: Dennis Smith Jr. (Dallas Mavericks)
2018: Kevin Knox II (New York Knicks)
2022: Jeremy Sochan (San Antonio Spurs)
It doesn’t take an incompetent organization to miss on a pick, as evidenced by the Spurs missing on Sochan in 2022. Jalen Williams and Jalen Duren were taken just a couple picks after the Spurs took Sochan at ninth. Others taken after that pick include Tari Eason (17th), Christian Braun (21st), Walker Kessler (22nd) and Andrew Nembhard (31st).
In the case of the Mavericks and Knicks, I think it’s fair to classify those front offices as incompetent. But even then with DSJ and Dallas, it seems like he was doomed due to coaching, which is unfortunate. However, organizations can make their own luck here, and the all three of these failed to with their picks.
Jury is still out
2023: Taylor Hendricks (Utah Jazz)
I think Hendricks has the potential to be a good pro. Obviously, his career was thrown for a loop after he suffered that awful leg injury in Dallas a couple of years ago, but Hendricks is a talented player who could thrive in the correct system.
Stars in their role
2016: Jakob Poeltl (Toronto Raptors)
2019: Rui Hachimura (Washington Wizards)
2021: Davion Mitchell (Sacramento Kings)
The interesting parallel here is that only one of the three here, Poeltl, is making an impact for the team that drafted him. And even Poeltl was shipped off early on in his career before finding his way back. That’s why it’s important to do the scouting on all of the guys in this range, because you never know if eventually, you’ll be the place where the player shines brightest.
All-star ceiling
2020: Deni Avdija (Washington Wizards)
2024: Zach Edey (Memphis Grizzlies)
2025: Collin Murray-Boyles (Toronto Raptors)
Deni is the only All-Star to come from the ninth pick since Andre Drummond, who was drafted in 2012. That being said, even in consensus weaker classes in 2024 and 2025, the ninth pick has panned out well. Edey, when healthy, has been a force for Memphis. Murray-Boyles was Toronto’s third best player in their seven-game battle against the Cavs this postseason.
Tally it all up, and there’s truly nothing off the table with this pick. Which makes it all the more interesting as we turn to our friends at the FanDuel Sportsbook to see who is favored to be selected ninth overall.
What do you think about the options who could be available? Let us know in the comments!
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SAN FRANCISCO, CA - JANUARY 7: Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors and Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks hug after the game on January 7, 2026 at Chase Center in San Francisco, California. 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 Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2025 NBAE (Photo by Noah Graham/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Minnesota and Golden State were both prominent Antetokounmpo suitors in February when the Bucks briefly invited trade interest in their Face of the Franchise, but sources say neither team has factored into the Bucks’ recent trade talks.
Golden State has long been viewed as a potential destination for Antetokounmpo in an attempt to extend Stephen Curry’s shrinking championship window. However, the Warriors currently lack the combination of young talent and draft assets that other contenders can offer Milwaukee. Any trade package would likely require Golden State to part with multiple future first-round picks, which have become increasingly valuable under the NBA’s revised draft lottery system.
Meanwhile, according to Fischer, the Bucks have a firm offer on the table from the Miami Heat centered around Tyler Herro, Kel’el Ware, Jaime Jaquez Jr., and “prime draft capital.” If that’s the case, the Warriors would likely have a difficult time fielding a more competitive offer without mortgaging their post-Curry future.
Of course, trade talks can evolve quickly during the offseason, but for now, the Warriors’ long-rumored pursuit of Antetokounmpo has seemingly lost momentum.
For more on this and other news around the NBA, here is our latest news round-up for Thursday, June 11th:
Porter Jr., who turns 28 on June 29th, drew trade interest from teams, including the Golden State Warriors, as the deadline neared. The Warriors considered parting with a first-round pick for Porter Jr. hours before the deadline, league sources told HoopsHype. In addition, Terance Mann was brought up in expanded discussions involving Porter Jr., but there were complications regarding his involvement, which would’ve necessitated a potential third team, HoopsHype has learned. Brooklyn also values Mann, who was a starter last season and is considered a strong veteran presence in their young locker room.
Lendeborg’s individual workout and in-person meeting with the front office Thursday will assuredly play a role in whether the Warriors decide to draft him in two weeks. It’ll also matter how the board in front of them falls. There are plenty of intriguing players who could surprisingly fall out of the top 10, including Arizona guard Brayden Burries, who league sources said is expected to be among the lottery prospects working out for the Warriors next week. — Anthony Slater
LeBron James reportedly has ‘curiosity’ about playing for the Warriors, and the possibility of him joining Golden State should not be ignored 😳, per @MontePooleNBCS
“I know it seems crazy. But there is at least curiosity on both sides. This wouldn’t even be a conversation five… pic.twitter.com/1VtkglsHtu
“When you do it once, you know you can do it again,” said OG Anunoby, who strengthened his NBA Finals MVP case with a 33-point performance to help New York take a 3-1 series lead back to San Antonio for Game 5. “You never want to be down, but that’s just how it goes. It’s a game of runs. They went on their run early, but we knew we had a run to go on, as well. So, just staying with it, not getting too low in the moment, and keep pushing, having confidence, believing in ourselves and knowing it’s a 48-minute game. Play until the end.”
That could make him the perfect fit on the Warriors, who are still chasing superstars, and hoping to build one more NBA Finals contender around Steph Curry. Lendeborg, who is talented defensively on both the perimeter and interior, can score in a variety of ways, and is very polished, would likely slot right into the rotation, as he figures to be one of the most NBA-ready players in the draft. But, despite his age, there’s also a belief by many that Lendeborg has a lot of untapped potential, and has a star ceiling rather than just a high floor.
Follow@unstoppablebaby on X for all the latest news on the Golden State Warriors.
On today’s episode, Andrew Dukowitz of Zone Coverage joins the show to discuss a wild New York Knicks win in Game 4 of the NBA Finals and the 10-2 start of the season for the Lynx:
— The Knicks erased an NBA Finals record 29-point deficit to win Game 4 to take a 3-1 series lead. Jalen Brunson was incredible yet again down the stretch, and OG Anunoby had the clutch block and tip-in layup to seal the victory.
— Karl-Anthony Towns picked up two early fouls, which kept him out most of the first half, but still finished with a game-high +17 as the former Minnesota Timberwolves franchise player is one win away from becoming a champion.
— It is easy to look back on the trade of Towns and have regret. Ultimately, the Knicks will end up winning the trade if they close out these Finals, but the Wolves still have a path to make the trade a positive from their perspective as well.
— The Minnesota Lynx have started the season with a 10-2 record, including eight straight wins. They are leading the WNBA in almost every conceivable category, including best record, most points scored, and fewest points against, while Napheesa Collier hasn’t played a single minute.
— Olivia Miles has been incredible to start her WNBA career. She has put up 17.8 points, 6.3 assists, and 5.2 rebounds per game on 53.2/37.1/91.2 percent shooting splits. Miles is well on her way to winning Rookie of the Year and may finish on the ballot for Most Valuable Player.
— It is still unclear when Collier will return to the court, but it appears as though the talk of her leaving in the offseason has died down at least for now, with the Lynx getting off to a hot start.
Actress Mariska Hargitay delivered a heartfelt message to Knicks point guard Jalen Brunson after New York's historic comeback from down by as many 29 to beat the Spurs 107-106 on Wednesday night at the Garden.
Actress Mariska Hargitay delivered a heartfelt message to Jalen Brunson after the Knicks’ historic comeback from down by as many as 29 to beat the Spurs 107-106 on Wednesday night at The Garden.
The “Law & Order: SVU” actress was ecstatic as she and Brunson, who finished with a game-high 36 points, hugged on the court.
“I love you so much, I’m so happy!” Hargitay said.
Jalen Brunson #11 of the New York Knicks celebrates with Mariska Hargitay after Game 4 of the 2026 NBA Finals on June 10, 2026, at Madison Square Garden in New York, New York. NBAE via Getty Images
Before that, she sprinted onto the court and hugged Brunson’s father, Rick Brunson, an assistant to Knicks head coach Mike Brown and member of the 1999 New York Knicks team that reached the NBA Finals.
The moment was captured on video by actor Ben Stiller, a fellow diehard Knicks fan who last season described Hargitay as the “envy” or celebrity row.
“The love that Mariska Hargitay gets from you postgame is the envy of every other Knicks fan, Knicks celebrity fan. She gets a hug after a loss,” Stiller said on Brunson’s “Roommates” podcast with Josh Hart.
During a recent appearance on the “Today” show, Hargitay described Brunson as “magnificent” and called him “my inspiration.”
She previously said the two became friends when they learned they were fans of each other.
(L to R) Este Haim, Taylor Swift, and Mariska Hargitay attend Game 4 of the 2026 NBA Finals between the San Antonio Spurs and the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden on June 10, 2026 in New York City. Getty Images
Hargitay sat with her friend, superstar singer Taylor Swift, and singing sisters, Este Haim and Alana Haim, at Game 4 — and they wore matching blue and orange shirts with “Stevie Knicks” written on them.
They were seen jumping up and down after a go-ahead tip-in by Knicks forward OG Anunoby with 1.2 seconds remaining sealed the win over San Antonio.
Jalen Brunson #11 of the New York Knicks dribbles the ball during the game against the San Antonio Spurs during Game Four of the 2026 NBA Finals on June 10, 2026 at Madison Square Garden in New York, New York. NBAE via Getty Images
The Knicks could close out the series in Game 5 in San Antonio on Saturday.
Somewhere, Pau Gasol let out a sigh of relief on Wednesday night.
Game 4 of the 2026 NBA Finals saw what announcer Mike Breen called "the greatest comeback in NBA Finals history" — and it felt like every bit of that. This was an iconic moment. New York trailed by 29 in the third quarter and by 20 with 9:30 left in the game. It should have been over... but Madison Square Garden had some magic left in her. However, was this the greatest comeback in NBA postseason history? Here were the top three coming into the game.
Celtics vs. Lakers, 2008 NBA Finals Game 4
These Lakers featured Kobe Bryant at the peak of his powers and picked up Pau Gasol midseason from Memphis, but it was Lamar Odom who sparked the Lakers early in Game 4 — 13 first-quarter points — and they raced out to a 26-7 lead to open the game. The Lakers built up a 24-point first-half lead and were on their way to tying up the series with the Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce and Ray Allen Celtics. The Celtics chipped away at that lead some, but the Lakers still led 70-50 with 6:04 remaining in the 3rd quarter — the Lakers were in total control on their home court.
Then the Celtics went on a 21-3 run and made it a game behind a spark from James Posey off the bench, scoring 18 and punctuated by a P.J. Brown dunk over Kobe at the end of the third.
Boston scored 57 in the second half, went on to win Game 4 97-91, and that was the series.
Before this week, that was the largest blown lead in NBA Finals history, which is why Gasol may rest a little easier this week.
Rockets vs. Magic, 1995 NBA Finals Game 1
This series had all the star power — Hakeem Olajuwon and Clyde Drexler against Shaquille O'Neal and Penny Hardaway — but very little drama as the Rockets swept that series.
The only drama came in Game 1, when the Magic raced out to a 20-point first-half lead, and it looked like the young legs and energy would have their day. Houston stormed back, and the end of the game became the stuff of legend: Orlando's Nick Anderson missed four straight free throws that could have sealed the win, which opened the door for Kenny "The Jet" Smith to knock down an off-balance 3-pointer that forced overtime. In the extra frame, an Olajuwon tip-in won the game.
June 7, 1995: G1 NBA Finals. Magic’s Nick Anderson misses four consecutive FTs which would have iced the game leading to a Kenny Smith three to send it into OT where the Rockets won 120-118. pic.twitter.com/ybe0ECIBhN
— This Day In Sports Clips (@TDISportsClips) June 8, 2026
Warriors vs. Clippers, 2019 First Round
This remains the biggest comeback in playoff history statistically, even if it happened in the first round.
With 7:31 remaining in the third quarter, Kevin Durant scored an and-1 on a driving dunk and, after he knocked down the free throw, it was 94-63. The game was over... except nobody told the Clippers. Led by Lou Williams, the Clippers outscored the Warriors 72-37 the rest of the way and pulled off the greatest comeback in NBA playoff history, eventually taking the lead on a Landry Shammet 3-pointer in the final minute and going on to a 135-131 win.
"When I say we stopped playing, we stopped playing, like defense, offense, execution-wise we were not as engaged as we needed to be," Warriors coach Steve Kerr said. "We got exactly what we deserved. The Clippers were great. They executed, they were hungry, they stayed connected. They were together."
The Warriors went on to win that series and advance to the NBA Finals for the third straight year, then physically broke down and lost to a red-hot Toronto Raptors team with a young OG Anunoby.
Knicks top them all
A Celtics fan could argue that their 26-point comeback on the then New Jersey Nets in the 2002 Eastern Conference Finals, behind 41 points from Paul Pierce, should be included on the list.
However, the Knicks in 2026 top them all. When you consider the stakes and the stage — and the history of the franchise having not won a title in 53 years — what the Knicks have done is now the greatest comeback in NBA history.
Mar 13, 2026; San Francisco, California, USA; Golden State Warriors forward Kristaps Porzingis (7) spins away from Minnesota Timberwolves guard Ayo Dosunmu (13) in the third quarter at the Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-Imagn Images | Cary Edmondson-Imagn Images
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The Celtics will have roughly $20 million in wiggle room if they want to stay under the luxury tax next season. At their disposal are the $27 million traded player exception generated after dealing Anfernee Simons and the $15 million non-taxpayer mid-level exception. Brad Stevens is on record that he wants to add some rim pressure to the roster and after getting crushed by Joel Embiid in the first round, he could choose to add a penetrating point guard or a back-to-the-basket, rim-rolling big man to solve his team’s problems.
In their 2024 championship run, they really had the best of both worlds. In one offseason, Stevens added Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis and the rest is history. It’s unlikely that there are seismic opportunities like that this upcoming July, so the front office might be faced to make a choice between the two.
There are a few options on the table. Could Stevens and Mazzulla convince Coby White or Ayo Dosunmu to be the next starting point guard? With Nikola Vucevic reportedly not returning to Boston, is there a reunion with Porzingis or Robert Williams III in the future? Would the Celtics be willing to part with Derrick White or Sam Hauser to upgrade at the 1 and/or the 5?
With rumors dying down that Giannis Antetokounmpo — a player that would seemingly solve Boston’s problems — isn’t joining the Celtics, what would you do, armchair GM?
“That moment when the Knicks cinch the win on your flight back to New York,” the fan wrote.
The video was filmed by Kyle Heiner, traveling in the dreamily blue-lit cabin of a Delta flight from Los Angeles International Airport to New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport.
What caught the eye of multiple social media users, however, was the one passenger who was completely oblivious to it all — and while everyone cheered around him, he watched the animated movie Avatar.
With the hometown heroes only one game away from winning their first championship in over 50 years, strangers are unifying in their shared joy of witnessing New York sports history. All across the five boroughs, bar watch parties and city streets are filled with electrified fans.
Tens of millions of other people have been catching this week’s nail-biters from more down-to-earth spots. Monday’s matchup was the most-watched Game 3 of the NBA Finals since 1988, Michael Jordan’s last final with the Bulls, raking in 23.8 million viewers.
Emotions were high even for players, with Karl-Anthony Towns and Jose Alverado on the verge of tears after the game, and Josh Hart shouting out teammate Anunoby for saving him from a “lifetime of regret” after missing a transition layup with 1.57 seconds left.
The Knicks will face the Spurs in San Antonio on Saturday for the chance to win the finals.
Every game of the NBA Finals will air on ABC. If you don’t have cable, you can take advantage of a DIRECTV free trial to cheer on the New York Knicks from home.
Want to be in the room where it happens? Shop NBA Finals tickets on SeatGeek and make sure to use promo code NYPOST10 for $10 off purchases over $250 at checkout if you’re a first-time SeatGeek user.
NEW YORK, NY - JUNE 9: Stephon Castle #5 of the San Antonio Spurs and AJ Dybantsa pose for a picture during 2026 NBA Finals Practice and Media Availability on June 9, 2026 at Madison Square Garden in New York, New York. Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
There’s only one reason the Utah Jazz should try to loosen the Washington Wizards’ vice-like grip on the number 1 pick in the NBA Draft: AJ Dybantsa. Combine his elite athleticism, prolific scoring and defensive potential with his close ties with Utah and the Jazz organization and we’re looking at a prospect who could thrill local fans for many years to come. But would the price to wrestle him away from a hungry Wizards team, when potential franchise players like Darryn Peterson and Cameron Boozer will still be available at number 2, be worth it?
The thought of Dybantsa slotting into the starting line up next to Markkanen, Jackson Jr., Keyonte George and Walker Kessler/Ace Bailey should have every Jazz fan drooling into their Cheerios. He is an elite scorer at all three levels, has an all-round game that opens up the floor and creates scoring opportunities for his teammates, and has the length and athleticism that make him an instant problem for opposing teams.
Dybantsa’s transition to the Jazz would be relatively easy. He has already spent two years in Utah, playing high school and college ball, and his parents are here too, having relocated to Provo when he declared for BYU. For their part the Jazz would be getting a rookie who is already acclimatized to the altitude and community and is more likely to stick around to not only shine in the short term, but to be part of their ultimate push for an NBA Championship.
The Jazz Owner, Ryan Smith, is keeping draft trade options open, telling the Deseret News that “Everything should be on the table” and that “Austin and Danny [Ainge] have also been known to do some pretty crazy stuff on draft night” (Deseret Voices Podcast, 5/12/26). Boston Celtics fans will remember the 2017 NBA draft when Danny Ainge traded the #1 pick to the 76ers to pick up Jason Tatum at #3. At the time this seemed a little crazy, but when you compare Tatum’s career to that of Markelle Fultz, who the 76ers drafted, you begin to see the method behind the madness. Are the Ainges preparing a similar surprise on draft night for the Utah Jazz?
Drafting Dybantsa would certainly put to rest some of the health concerns associated with Darryn Peterson or the worry over Cameron Boozer’s lack of athleticism. But assuming the Wizards are open to a trade, what kind of assets would they expect from the Jazz? You have to remember that Washington had their fans endure a similar slide to the cellar that we experienced here in Utah and are looking to build around recent acquisitions Anthony Davis and Trae Young. They will likely require a hefty (nonrefundable) deposit for the number 1 pick, which will almost certainly involve players and future draft capital.
Would the Jazz consider the loss of a Kyle Filipowski, a Cody Williams, or even an Isaiah Collier, along with a first round pick in the 2027 or 2028 draft? We have a mere 12 days to find out. One thing is for sure: Jazz management is looking at all options (crazy and otherwise) to maximize the return on what could be their most consequential draft in decades.
NEW YORK, NY - JUNE 5: Jose Alvarado #5 and Head Coach Mike Brown of the New York Knicks talk during the game against the San Antonio Spurs during Game Three of the 2026 NBA Finals on June 8, 2026 at Madison Square Garden in New York, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE(Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The New York Knicks are on the cusp of their first NBA championship in 53 years after the greatest comeback in the history of the NBA Finals. What was looking destined to be a tied series with the San Antonio Spurs through four games is now a commanding 3-1 Knicks lead, with the first of three title-clinching opportunities set for Saturday night in San Antonio.
Unlike the Spurs, whose core pieces have come through the draft, the Knicks are the polar opposite. Karl-Anthony Towns, Mikal Bridges, Josh Hart, and Game 4 hero OG Anunoby were all acquired via trade, while Jalen Brunson was the bargain of a free agent signing who got this era of Knicks basketball rolling. But there was another piece added at February’s trade deadline who had a massive role in New York’s epic 29-point rally.
Jose Alvarado, a fan favorite with the New Orleans Pelicans, was dealt to his hometown team for Dalen Terry, cash, and a couple of second-round picks. Aside from his high effort and pesky defense, Alvarado gave the Knicks with another ball-handling guard who could initiate offense and create rim pressure with Jalen Brunson off the court. During the regular season, Brunson and Alvarado played all of 114 minutes together through 20 games. In the postseason, that number dropped all the way to zero.
That is, until Knicks head coach Mike Brown made maybe one of the most impactful coaching adjustments we’ll ever see in a Finals game.
As had been the theme all playoffs, Brunson and Alvarado’s minutes were separate in the disastrous first half of Game 4. Alvarado played a shade over three minutes, fouled twice (perhaps fortunate to avoid a flagrant foul while grabbing Victor Wembanyama’s leg), and his turnover was a “bad pass” that sure looked like an uncalled goaltend against Luke Kornet.
Down by 19 points at the 5:33 mark of the third quarter, Brown sat the largely ineffective Mikal Bridges and paired Brunson and Alvarado together. Brunson was in for all but two defensive possessions (10 total seconds) in the second half, while Alvarado was in for 12 of the game’s final 17 minutes. It was the most Alvarado had played all postseason. The result was something the Spurs had no answers for.
NYK scored 1.727 points per possession with these two on the court in G4.
In 9:40 of fourth quarter action, Alvarado scored 8 points on 3/3 shooting (including a critical 3 in clutch time), along with 2 rebounds and 3 assists, which was one fewer than the entire Spurs team had in the second half. The Knicks were a +19 overall in the Brunson-Alvarado minutes, and Alvarado had double the points of the rest of the bench, which combined to shoot 2/16.
“I know a lot of you guys can’t [clap] because you’re in the media and you’ve got to be neutral, but I’m gonna f—king clap for Jose,” Mike Brown said in his post-game press conference. “Sorry, Mom.
“Jose was unbelievable tonight. He changed the game. His speed, his ability to touch the paint. You give San Antonio a lot of credit for trying to throw a lot of different things at us defensively—kind of a match-up man/zone. If you don’t close out to Jose as hard as he works on his shot, he’s going to make you pay. If you close out to him, he’s quick enough to go by you. He made some great basketball plays offensively tonight, and then he was great defensively.”
Alvarado provided a much-needed release valve and screen-setter for Brunson in the face of Spurs double teams and constant on-ball pressuring up near half court. Brunson could work a little bit more off-ball while Alvarado spaced the floor in a way that, say, Josh Hart really cannot as a secondary ball-handler in a half-court offense.
The Jose Alvarado 4Q sequence. Working off the tilted defense the Spurs were sending towards Jalen Brunson.
“Jose’s been good in the pick-and-roll,” Brown said. “Jose’s been good touching the paint. And if Jalen wanted to get off the ball for a few possessions, Jose could handle it. And he could touch the paint and make the game easier for others. If Jalen was on the ball and the ball got sprayed and it found Jose, Jose can then touch the paint with his speed.
“So that’s all I was trying to do, is see if we could touch the paint a little bit more with the two guards out there, while the floor was spaced the right way, see if we can get some easy looks, especially from the three-point line, while trying to play faster.”
Mike Brown was in desperate search of something to crack the Spurs defense. Nothing was working in the first half and Karl-Anthony Towns’ early foul trouble created a cascading effect where he went seven-deep in his rotation. Much like in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals when Brown sat Josh Hart for the three-point shooting of Landry Shamet in New York’s other improbable 20+ point comeback, Brown unstuck the offense by finding his solution off the bench—an antithetical to what’s regularly felled his predecessor, Tom Thibodeau.
On an unforgettable, still scarcely believable night at Madison Square Garden, the decision to call on the New York City native to play the role of backcourt super sub alongside the Knicks’ superhero could end up as a championship-winning coaching masterstroke.
Bronny James gave his fans a rare glimpse into his personal life on Wednesday.
In an effort to shed light on CPR & Automated External Defibrillator Awareness Month, LeBron James’ son recorded a video where he spoke all about the 2023 cardiac arrest he suffered while he was practicing with the USC men’s basketball team.
And in the footage, he shared for the first time on his social media page an image that showed off his heart surgery scar.
Bronny, who now plays guard for the Lakers alongside his dad, explained in the clip that he had been “in the best shape of my life” at the time of his medical emergency.
Bronny James #6 of the USC Trojans warms up prior to the game against the Long Beach State 49ers at Galen Center on December 10, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. Getty Images
“Out of nowhere, I sat down for a little bit, got back up, walked around and kind of felt a little dizzy. A little nauseous,” he said.
“And then I ended up passing out. Woke up on the practice floor, like, ‘What happened?’”
Bronny said a coaching assistant saved his life by grabbing an AED and performing CPR.
“I’m alive today because medical staff and my coaches were prepared for the worst,” he said. “And it ended up saving my life. So, I’m really appreciative of that.”
Bronny James’ heart surgery scar runs about six inches. Instagram/@american_heartBronny James of the Los Angeles Lakers shoots over Ziaire Williams of the Brooklyn Nets. Corey Sipkin for NY Post
Following the incident, Bronny was diagnosed with a congenital heart defect, and he underwent surgery to correct the issue a short time later.
The procedure was successful and Bronny hasn’t sustained a scare since. However, it all left him with a six-inch scar in the center of his chest, which could be seen prominently in the photo he shared in his Wednesday Instagram video.
Bronny, who released the vid in a partnership with the American Heart Association, finished his message by imploring his fans and followers to get familiar with CPR in the hopes that it will save more lives like his going forward.
“Learn it,” he wrote in a caption on the video. “Practice it. Be ready.”
As her famous friends celebrated, Selena Gomez was in pain across the Atlantic.
Gomez, who is currently in London, took to social media to reveal her “heart break” after watching her beloved Spurs blow a 29-point lead to the Knicks in Game 4 of the NBA Finals.
Gomez shared a photo of a previous trip she made to MSG with friends, while rocking a Spurs jersey.
Gomez took to social media to describe her feelings after her Spurs blow a 29-point lead to the Knicks. Instagram/@selenagomezTaylor Swift gestures as Este Haim, right, looks on during the second half of Game 4 of the NBA Finals basketball series, Wednesday, June 10, 2026, in New York. AP Photo/Frank Franklin II
“Happy for NY but my heart breaks just a lil lol,” Gomez wrote. “It’s okay. I’m happy for the team! Thanks for giving us some great games @NBA.”
“3 am in London but can’t miss it,” Gomez, a Grand Prairie, Texas native, posted on Instagram with a photo of her watching the game on a laptop.
Gomez watched as new Knicks hero OG Anunoby tipped in the game-winning basket with 1.2 seconds left to the give the Knicks a 107-106 that he would hold onto after a defensive stop.
New York Knicks forward Og Anunoby #8, falls to the floor after scoring the game winning basket with a put back as New York Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns #32, watches the ball go through the net in the 4th quarter. Charles Wenzelberg / New York PostGomez is tight with pop star Taylor Swift, who was sitting front and center on Celebrity Row with the Haim Sisters. Instagram/@selenagomez
The Knicks now own a 3-1 series lead with Game 5 back in San Antonio on Saturday night.
After the shot, all of Madison Square Garden and the city of New York erupted in cheers, celebrating the largest comeback to take place in NBA Finals history, leaving the Knicks just one win away from winning their first NBA Finals since 1973.
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Madison Square Garden was packed out with celebrities attending, as Swift, Timothée Chalamet, Ben Stiller, and Spike Lee were all in attendance rooting on the Knicks.
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - NOVEMBER 22: Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics and Derrick White #9 defend a shot from Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks during the second half at TD Garden on November 22, 2023 in Boston, Massachusetts. The Celtics defeat the Bucks 119-116. 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 Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) | Getty Images
As the New York Knicks made an incredible 29-point comeback to beat the San Antonio Spurs in Game 4 of the NBA Finals on Wednesday night, there were rumblings of a potential Giannis Antetokounmpo trade to the Boston Celtics starting to resurface. A clip from the new episode of The Bill Simmons Podcast on Spotify started to circulate where he changed his tune on Boston potentially being interested in the Bucks superstar.
“I thought Boston was out of this. I know Boston is out of this and I was wondering if they were playing possum or not,” Simmons said. “I think they were playing a little possum, I think they’re in on Giannis.”
He continued to speculate on Boston potentially seeing the offer from the Miami Heat for Antetokounmpo and thinking they could beat it or just wanting to drive up the price against a conference rival. The Heat’s offer is not really a secret since they have waived around the same trade package for a superstar for years now, mostly consisting of Tyler Herro, Kel’el Ware, and Jaime Jaquez Jr. plus draft capital.
According to his intel, Giannis “really wants to end up in Boston because he would have the best chance to win a title and I think Boston is not ruling out the idea.” He also mentioned the $27.7 million trade exception Boston got in the Anferenee Simons trade and the press conference Brad Stevens had at the end of the season after the Celtics were knocked out of the playoffs by the Philadelphia 76ers as a potential reason for Boston to make big changes to the roster.
“I thought they were sitting out this Giannis thing and I no longer think that,” Simmons concluded.
Bill Simmons new update on the Celtics potentially trading for Giannis Antetokounmpo:
We saw more speculation started to arise on this morning from Jake Fischer of The Stein Line. He added an amendment on his reporting from his Bleacher Report stream on Tuesday where he said the Miami Heat and Portland Trail Blazers were the only two teams active in the Giannis trade market, but the Boston Celtics seem to be lurking in the shadows.
Fischer reported: “Earlier in the week, league sources with knowledge of the situation maintained that Boston had not yet seriously engaged Milwaukee on an Antetokounmpo trade … but they also declined to rule out the possibility of the Celtics eventually entering the fray. Rival teams, furthermore, continue to point to Boston’s various assets as illustrating its ability to become a factor here. They also note that Antetokounmpo shares a skills coach with Jayson Tatum (Drew Hanlen) and is believed to have a level of interest in landing with the Celtics on top of his well-chronicled affinity for Miami.”
He continued by saying the Celtics have not engaged in any trade talks with Jaylen Brown after his breakout 2025-26 season where he finished All-NBA Second Team and 6th in NBA MVP voting, but it also hasn’t been ruled out as a possibility. Portland is skeptical Giannis will sign an extension with them and Miami is banking on his previous interest from reports all the way back in 2020 offseason.
Regardless of the outcome, it feels funny to think that Brad Stevens is this mysterious monster from the Backrooms that could swoop in out of nowhere to steal Giannis away. It wouldn’t be the first time Pat Riley went blow for blow with a Celtics executive for the same player during the offseason. From all the reporting. it still doesn’t seem likely but Stevens has never leaked anything to the public when it comes to his moves so you never really know.
The Miami Heat are reportedly ‘genuinely concerned’ about the Boston Celtics, per @JakeLFischer
“Rival teams, furthermore, continue to point to Boston's various assets as illustrating its ability to become a factor here. They also note that Antetokounmpo shares a skills coach… pic.twitter.com/ABI18h3vhL
Jaylen Brown is currently on a trip traveling through China, but this morning put out a tweet that may have been a response to the Simmons and Fischer rumors that were circulating saying: “The neighbors rice always smells better.”
Although the idea of Jaylen subtweeting about the reports with a response of “the grass isn’t always greener on the other side” is an interesting idea, it could most likely just be something related to his current trip. Based on the previous reporting we have seen, Boston doesn’t seem very eager to get a deal for Antetokounmpo and move off of Brown in any way.
Previous Reporting
On Tuesday June 9th, CelticsBlog put out an article highlighting the interview Bobby Manning of CLNS did with Brian Windhorst of ESPN where he talked about what he had heard on the Giannis to the Celtics front. When Manning asked Windhorst his thoughts on the trade, he said “I have not heard that Boston is on Giannis’ list…I have not heard that Giannis is prepared to sign an extension with Boston. So frankly, the Jaylen Brown part is moot to me.”
This interview did come out two days ago but reports travel fast in the NBA world and if the reports from Simmons and Fischer are true, it feels like Boston could be really moving in silence. In my mind, I still don’t see the Celtics making a deal for Giannis Antetokounmpo. The fact Giannis is going to be in his mid-30s, the injury toll that he has accrued in the last few seasons, and the possibility of him not wanting to sign an extension could be the difference maker in Boston’s decision.
It wouldn’t surprise me at all if Stevens and the Celtics front office just decided to just add smaller pieces around the already established core of Jayson Tatum with a full offseason of rest, Jaylen Brown coming off the best season of his career, and Derrick White potentially having a bounce back season. It is critical that they add a big man this offseason, but it doesn’t have to be the biggest fish on the market unless they really wanted to. Brad Stevens has kept everything silent in his tenure as the Celtics President of Basketball Operations so we will only really know if these reports are true if we see Giannis given an actual Celtics uniform in a press conference.
HOUSTON, TEXAS - MARCH 26: Kingston Flemings #4 of the Houston Cougars drives to the basket against Kylan Boswell #4 of the Illinois Fighting Illini during the first half in the Sweet Sixteen of the 2026 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Toyota Center on March 26, 2026 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Alex Slitz/Getty Images) | Getty Images
They’re still going to work at HSS Training Center, still working out prospects, interviewing them too. They’re talking to agents, too, about their clients. Whatever happens on the other side of the East River isn’t going to stop the process. Carry on.
Obviously, the NBA Draft, now 12 days and a great deal of fan anxiety away, tops the list of priorities. We try to keep track of who’s been in — or in the case of Mikel Brown Jr., who’s been visited — at this point, various reports have identified a total of 26. Here’s the latest, courtesy of USA Today’s Rookie Wire and Hoophype workout trackers.
Tre White, Kansas 6’7” sharpshooting wing who had splits of 45/40/87 and proved himself a workhorse of the Jayhawks, playing 31.5 minutes per in 35 games.
Michael Ajayi, a 6’7”, 235 pound power forward at Butler, he averaged a double-double: 16.4 points and 11.1 boards while playing solid defense for the Bulldogs.
Seth Trimble, North Carolina, another 6’7” senior like White and Ajayi, he’s more of a combo guard.
Milos Uzan, a 6’4” 23-year-old point guard for the Houston Cougars with remarkable durability, having played 77 games over the past two years while averaging 11.1 points and 4.0 assists.
Lamar Wilkerson, Indiana’s 6’6” shooting guard who’s been one of the NCAA’s top scorers the last two years, averaging better than 20 points a game both years while shooting better than 40% from deep.
Of that group, only White is on anyone’s Top 100 Big Board, at No. 65.
Also scheduled is Kingston Flemings, the Houston lead guard who of course has long been tagged as a possible pick between Nos. 5 and 8. Brett Siegel is reporting both the Clippers picking at No. 5 and Nets are brining him in this week. No word on when he’ll be in.
Flemings is the most diminutive of the four guards seen as possible Nets picks at No. 6, measuring 6’2.5” at the NBA Combine, a half inch taller than Danius Acuff but with a wingspan almost three inches shorter. Where Flemings exceled at the Combine was in the athletic measures. He was first around the four in shuttle run, standing vertical and max vertical — an impressive 40.5^ — and second, by one one-hundredth of a second, to Acuff in the 3/4-court sprint. That as well as his defense is what sets him apart. His shooting isn’t bad either. He was first in the 3-point star drill (19/25) and second in shooting off the dribble. Can he convince the Nets brass to look beyond his size?
Of course, as many have suggested, Jalen Brunson’s exploits in New York have many re-thinking small guards in general. Acuff has been quoted repeatedly that he has has been studying Brunson and a league decision maker told ND after their second year of bad lottery luck their best option might be “take one of the guards and for the best. Maybe Acuff if you think he can be like Brunson for you.”
No word (yet) on how the two bigs — Nate Ament and Karim Lopez — fared in their faceoff Tuesday, but the very fact that the Nets set up such a 1-on-1 is a pretty good indicator there’s interest either at No. 6 or if the team succeeds in adding a second pick close enough to the top of the Draft to snag them. Going back as far as last fall, a Nets insider expressed interest in getting another pick in the loaded 2026 Draft while that same league decision-maker quoted above told ND that there is only one reason a GM accumulates as many picks. “The only reason you bank so many firsts like that is to be able to strike opportunistically,” he said.
As for moving down, that seems less likely with multiple sources saying it appears that the Nets will stay at No. 6. The most recent such report came Thursday with Jake Fischer of The Steinline writing that the Nets are “indicating at this juncture” that they intend to stay where the Lottery put them.
Will other chess pieces move between now and 7:30 p.m. ET on June 23? Fischer devotes a lot of his latest report to that question (after suggesting that the Celtics may join the Heat in pursuit of Giannis Antetokounmpo.)
Most teams picking behind the Clippers are currently operating under the assumption that LA will stand pat and keep their No. 5 overall selection … with Wagler as a strong candidate to be taken with the pick that the Clippers only acquired when the May 10 lottery dropped Indiana’s pick out of the top four. The Pacers were then compelled to send it to Clipperland as part of their February trade to acquire Ivica Zubac.
If the Nets decide that they prefer to keep the No. 6 overall selection — as they are indicating at this juncture — that could mean that Dallas at No. 9 proves to be the highest-slotted team willing to move down.
Sacramento, which holds the No. 7 selection, has been widely connected to Acuff due largely to the fact Kings general manager Scott Perry once coached Acuff’s father at Eastern Kentucky in the 1990s. That connection has also sparked considerable chatter about Sacramento wanting to move up to ensure that it can land Acuff, but sources tell The Stein Line that the Kings are comfortable staying where they are.
As for the oft-rumored possibility that the Thunder might be willing to move either the 12th or 17th picks, Fischer wrote this:
The Thunder, as we’ve covered on numerous occasions recently, simply don’t have roster room to make (and keep) all of their current draft selections: Nos. 12, 17 and 37. They already have 15 players under contract for next season.
What a lot of fans don’t realize is that the next Nets move may not wait until June 23 and the Draft. It could come in days. As Bobby Marks reminded people in a tweet Thursday, teams can start negotiating with their own free agents the day after the NBA crowns its 2025-26 champion. That could be as early as this weekend if the Knicks beat the Spurs in San Antonio Saturday night.
The big name for the Nets, of course, is Michael Porter Jr., seen four days ago enjoying the ruins at Machu Picchu in Peru.
Mike Scotto of Hoopshype wrote Wednesday about his status, suggesting that while the Nets seem willing to extend him, that could change.
Porter Jr., who turns 28 on June 29th, drew trade interest from teams, including the Golden State Warriors, as the deadline neared. The Warriors considered parting with a first-round pick for Porter Jr. hours before the deadline, league sources told HoopsHype. In addition, Terance Mann was brought up in expanded discussions involving Porter Jr., but there were complications regarding his involvement, which would’ve necessitated a potential third team, HoopsHype has learned. Brooklyn also values Mann, who was a starter last season and is considered a strong veteran presence in their young locker room.
With Porter Jr. entering the prime of his career and the Nets in the midst of a rebuild, executives across the league have always questioned if their timelines would fit beyond his current contract. If the Nets don’t agree to an extension with Porter Jr., teams around the league are expected to poke around on his trade availability.
Historically, when the Nets want to keep one of their veteran players, they have a tendency to move quickly. Over the last several years, they’ve signed Kevin Durant, Joe Harris, Nic Claxton and Cam Johnson to big deals without much fuss. (Interesting side note Scotto had on Mann who will be eligible for his own extension on October 1.)
Also, Thursday, Yossi Gozlan of Third Apron provided an example of how an MPJ contract could work within the Nets salary cap.
Third Apron has gone back and forth on Porter Jr.’s value on his current contract, but something in the mid-$30 million range, like Bridges’ recent deal, makes sense. The Nets could use roughly $9 million of their cap space to raise his $40.8 million salary to his $49.5 million maximum salary. They could then add up to four additional seasons with his 2027-28 salary reduced by 40 percent.
Here’s an example of a framework that could make sense:
2026-27: $40,806,150 $49,500,000 (30 percent of the salary cap)
2027-28: $29,700,000 (18 percent)
2028-29: $32,076,000 (18.5 percent)
2029-30: $34,452,000 (18.9 percent)
2030-31: $36,828,000 (19.3 percent)
Such a framework could pay Porter Jr. a lucrative deal over multiple years while keeping his annual salary lower in the later seasons. That could increase his trade value in the future if he continues playing well on a team-friendly contract.
There will be other free agency decisions for Sean Marks & co. in the near future, Gozlan wrote, the most prominent and most likely being Day-Ron Sharpe.
Day’Ron Sharpe has a $6.25 million team option that he’s outplayed. The Nets could decline it and make him an unrestricted free agent while retaining Bird rights, and they could begin negotiating a new contract with him once the Finals end. Both sides could agree to a deal that gives him a higher annual salary while locking in multiple years.
There’s a lot of digest there, as there is after Wednesday’s Knicks-Spurs game that has to be considered one of the best basketball games ever played anywhere. As we noted in a tweet, good for those fans who followed the Knicks through their deepest, darkest days. Hoping we can do the same … some day.
The Spurs may have been their own heel on Wednesday night.
A historic 29-point collapse in Game 4 against the Knicks — a 107-106 loss that left them on the brink of NBA Finals runner-up status — perhaps left too much on the extremely high shoulders of 7-foot-4 phenom Victor Wembanyama.
“Second half he plays all but 57 seconds… I feel like he totally ran out of gas,” ESPN insider Brian Windhorst said on “Get Up” on Thursday morning. “I don’t understand why he was not getting more rest in the game. At the end of the third quarter he’d played five more minutes than he played in Game 3 and that was a one-point game this was a 15-point game.
Wembanyama shooting free throws in Game 4 of the NBA finals NBAE via Getty Images
“He couldn’t move defensively, that made it easier for the Knicks and offensively, he was unable to get anything. At one point he went 1 of 10. When he gets fatigued he starts flopping around.”
In Game 3, Wembanyama cemented himself as a force and a Knicks villain, posting 32 points with eight rebounds and six assists in 39 minutes during the 115-111 win at the Garden. He seemed destined to follow it up on Wednesday as he trolled the hometown team throughout the first half as the Spurs built up a 29-point lead, scoring 16 of his own with six rebounds and a pair of massive blocks.
In return, Windhorst believes coach Mitch Johnson did him no favors, playing him 23:02 of a possible 24 minutes as he went 3 of 14 from the field for eight points as San Antonio helplessly watched its lead dwindle.
He finished the night with 43:55 played, well above is postseason average of 34 and his highest non-overtime total of the playoffs with 24 points — his lowest output of the NBA Finals.
AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin
“I gotta say, if you are going to talk trash and you are going to do some of the stuff that he does — which he does — you can’t let this happen at the end of the game,” the longtime reporter said.
With just 1:47 left in the fourth quarter, Wenbanyama stepped up to the foul line looking to extend the Spurs’ one-point lead. But the possible fatigue and the overwhelming arena atmosphere appeared to get to him. The center, usually very composed at the line, missed both of his free throws attempts.
“I think it began before that,” the Frenchman said of the fourth-quarter collapse. “I can’t really explain it right now. I don’t know. I think it’s just execution, greediness of some sort. We clearly weren’t the most hungry in the second half.”
For Wembanyama and the Spurs, now their backs are against the wall. The Spurs will now have to win three straight games to win the NBA championship.
