This playoff run has been a series of firsts for the San Antonio Spurs.
Thursday, May 28 presented yet another: this is the first time this young Spurs core is facing elimination in the postseason.
The Spurs are hosting the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 6 of the Western Conference finals in a must-win situation, as San Antonio is looking to knot the series up a three games apiece to force a Game 7.
Here are live takeaways from Game 6 of the Western Conference finals between the Spurs and Thunder:
This Victor Wembanyama makes the Spurs close to unbeatable
It became clear in the first few minutes of Game 6 that Wembanyama was correcting his mistakes from Game 5.
After playing too passively two nights ago, Wembanyama set the tone early, going 4-of-6 from the floor in the first quarter and 9-of-16 in the first half to take 22 points into intermission.
The rest of the Spurs are feeding off Wembanyama, whose effort on defense and rebounding have also lifted San Antonio. Through the first half, Wembanyama has also hauled in 5 rebounds — which is just one fewer than his total from Game 5.
That said, Wembanyama did launch 8 attempts from 3-point range. And while he made three of his first four, he cannot be settling too much for perimeter shots; the Spurs are at their best when Wembanyama is attacking the rim.
The Thunder need another scorer to emerge
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 10 points in the first half, but only got to the line twice. Cason Wallace dropped 11 on a perfect 4-of-4 half (including three drained triples). The next closest Thunder scorer was Alex Caruso with 7 points.
Oklahoma City, however, needs one of its secondary stars — Chet Holmgren (6 points) or Jared McCain (5) are top of mind — to get going with more consistency.
Jalen Williams is playing, though he’s on a minutes restriction with his hamstring injury, and can’t be counted on to be a reliable scoring threat.
Dylan Harper is providing a crucial spark off the bench
The dynamic rookie has struggled over the last three games, combining to score just 18 points on 5-of-16 shooting over that span.
In the first half Thursday night, Harper was aggressive and in a rhythm, scoring 12 points on 5-of-6 shooting, including 2-of-3 from beyond the arc.
It couldn’t have come at a better time, as starting point guard De’Aaron Fox missed all five of his shot attempts and didn’t record a single point. Fox does have 4 rebounds and 4 assists, but San Antonio will need scoring from the point guard position, and Harper’s energy off the bench has been massive, especially because he’s not afraid to get out in transition.
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 02: Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors talks to Donovan Mitchell #45 and James Harden #1 of the Cleveland Cavaliers after their game at Chase Center on April 02, 2026 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 the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images) | Getty Images
I’m back from my Memorial Day vacation and I’ve been waiting to get this one off about Cleveland’s demise. There was a point during Game 4 when the camera panned across Rocket Arena and you could see Knicks fans celebrating while Cavaliers fans sat frozen in their seats trying to process what had just happened.
And for Golden State Warriors fans who enjoyed a bitter rivalry with The Land, this was pretty amusing not just because Cleveland lost. I mean, the Warriors and Cavaliers haven’t really been rivals in years. LeBron left and the Dubs are figuring out who they are at this juncture of their dynasty. But there is still something deeply funny about watching the Cavaliers spend years trying to convince themselves they had rebuilt a contender only for the whole thing to collapse under the bright white lights of the Eastern Conference Finals.
“Analytically… we’ve won 2/3 games on the expected (score),- Cavs HC Kenny Atkinson.
The Knicks didn’t just beat Cleveland. They swept them with aggression, finishing it all off by walking into Rocket Arena and winning by 37 points for good measure, 130-93. They turned what should have been Cleveland’s biggest game in years into a three-hour public humiliation. By halftime the arena already sounded nervous. By the fourth quarter it sounded like Manhattan had annexed Ohio.
Going to be a really weird Cavs offseason. Mitchell’s eligible for an extension nobody is going to feel 100% great about and you have to trade him if he doesn’t sign it. Gotta either re-sign Harden or lose him for nothing. Mobley and Allen will both be in trade rumors. Probably a…
And honestly? Warriors fans already knew where this was headed.
The Cavaliers spent the first two rounds of the playoffs leaking oil everywhere. Seven games against Toronto. Seven games against Detroit. Then they blew a 22-point fourth-quarter lead in Game 1 against New York and spiritually never recovered from it. Even when the score stayed close later in the series, the energy didn’t. The Knicks looked like a team discovering itself. Cleveland looked like a team slowly realizing it had miscalculated something important.
“Genuinely, I do feel like we are the better team,” – James Harden after the Cavs were swept by the Knicks 🫨🫨🫨 pic.twitter.com/JtDk8A7D2F
The Cavaliers had talent all over the floor this season. Mitchell is phenomenal. Evan Mobley remains terrifying defensively. Harden can still manipulate a defense when he has space to breathe. But the deeper this series went, the more Cleveland looked like a team relying on individual rescue attempts while New York looked like five people operating the same machine. That is what real contenders look like. This was the Knicks kicking the door off the hinges and spending four games revealing how fragile Cleveland actually was.
And from a Warriors perspective, there was something nostalgic about it.
The old Cavaliers used to walk into Finals games with LeBron James carrying the emotional weight of an entire franchise on his back like a demigod. You always felt pressure radiating off those teams even when Golden State was better. This version felt different. Talented? Absolutely. But watching this series, there was never a moment where they felt inevitable. So now the Knicks head to the NBA Finals for the first time in over 25 years while Cleveland heads into an offseason full of uncomfortable questions about roster construction, identity, and whether this core is actually built for deep playoff basketball. Judging by the brooms falling from the sky all over Ohio this week, the East takeover might need to wait. I feel overall glad that former Warriors assistant coach Kenny Atkinson got to take his team so far, but it’s sad to see him chained to Cleveland’s curse.
The lights came on and the Cavaliers blinked. And somewhere deep in the soul of Dub Nation, a lot of people probably smiled watching it happen.
If there’s one thing this postseason run has shown, it’s that the San Antonio Spurs can compete with the very best in the NBA when star phenom Victor Wembanyama is at his best.
And after Wembanyama struggled to assert himself in a Game 5 loss that put San Antonio in an elimination situation, Wembanyama came out with urgency and intent Thursday, May 28 in Game 6 of the Western Conference finals against the Oklahoma City Thunder.
San Antonio is facing a 3-2 series deficit and must win Game 6 to avoid elimination.
Here’s a look at Victor Wembanyama’s stats Thursday night in Game 6 of the Western Conference finals:
Basketball: NBA Commissioner Adam Silver speaks to the media during a press conference at the St. Regis Hotel New York, NY 9/10/2025CREDIT: Erick W. Rasco (Photo by Erick W. Rasco/Sports Illustrated via Getty Images) (Set Number: X164772 TK1)
Well, the new NBA balls have finally dropped, lottery balls for the 2027 draft, that is. The 2025-26 season did indeed prove to be the shameless display of deliberates losing for the sake of meager odds that (perhaps) broke tanking. Today the NBABOG or National Basketball Association Board of Governors (an NBA Governor is usually, but not always, a team owner) voted on a new lottery system. The new system will take effect in the 2027 draft.
The system is somewhat abstruse, but looks to severely disincentivize even the already flattened odds of garnering a top pick. The new system will expand the draft lottery to 16 teams, which includes all the non playoff teams, and the teams in the play-in games. The system works by assigning a number of lottery balls based on where a team finishes record wise.
Teams that finish outside the bottom three, but not in the play in games, will receive 3 lottery balls. The number 9 and 10 teams in the play-in games will receive two, the 7 and 8 play-in teams will receive one ball apiece. The three teams with worst regular season records will receive two lottery balls (one of their three balls being “relegated” to the nether hells of the NBA, never to sire a draft pick).
The Two Ball Three will have some protection for being so outright bad though: they will not pick lower than 12th in the lottery. The worst three teams’ odds of receiving a top pick are, of course, one third worse than teams that finish outside the bottom three, and no better than the 9th and 10th play in teams, minus the top 12 guarantee. There is a real sense of reward for a play-in team, with one or two balls in the lottery.
There are further anti-tank provisions. No team may receive two #1 picks in a row, and no team may receive a top five pick in three consecutive years.
There is also a provision against protecting picks top 12 through top 15. (I’m not entirely sure what this means, that’s the NBA’s official language.) The NBABOG will revisit the system in 2029 to determine whether to keep the lottery balls in place, adjust them, or replace them with something else.
Here are some graphics provided by the NBA and it’s fabulous BOG to explain the new system:
This is all very interesting, and I think, at first glance, that it will at least improve the quality of regular season games, especially late in the season. It’s better to get out of the top three if a team has it’s own pick. What happens if it doesn’t? I’m not sure, probably it just behaves as a Bottom Three Two Ball pick? Do some protections on picks get removed in 2027 and beyond? Again, it’s currently unclear. What happens if a team picked #1 and then gets #1 again the following season? Does that pick get moved to #2? Again, it’s unclear right now. We will have to await publication of the full language of the resolution, (which I haven’t found at this time).
What does this all mean to the Rockets? It might mean a great deal, despite some saying 2027 is a lesser draft than 2026. It might mean that certain picks for 2027 are suddenly a lot more attractive, as they have a real shot at winning the draft lottery. Next year the Rockets hold their own pick, Phoenix’s pick, and Brooklyn’s pick (there’s further language about who gets the best and worst of these picks). Let’s say, though, that the Rockets are a playoff team, well, they’d pick as normal, in a reverse standings fashion after pick 16. What about Phoenix and Brooklyn? If Phoenix is again a play in team, that’s one or two balls in the lottery. If Brooklyn is 4th worst or above, and not a play in team, that’s three balls. If it’s Bottom Three, that’s two balls, but no worse than 12th.
Those extra chances in the lottery should have a great deal of value. Let’s assume the Rockets just get the BKN and PHX picks. Brooklyn has no incentive not to finish bottom three, but they have no real incentive to be terrible, either. Phoenix might well be a 9th or 10th seed again.
If a team had a pick in this draft that was good, not great, would they swap it for some balls next year? They might well do that, as even in a lesser year, a, say, 5th pick is likely to be better than a 20th, judging by history. This might get the Rockets one of the intriguing guards in this draft. Or nothing may happen, of course.
Anyhow, there will surely be more to come on the ins and outs of these new balls in the fullness of time.
Terry Rozier accepted a $100,000 bribe in order to exit a 2023 NBA game early as part of a gambling scheme, federal prosecutors alleged in a new indictment filed against the former Hornets and Heat guard on Thursday.
The new indictment filed by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York alleges that Rozier told Deniro Laster that he would come out of the Hornets’ March 23, 2023, game against the Pelicans in the first quarter, and Lester then shared that information with bettors.
The indictment includes additional charges of bribery in sporting contests and honest services wire fraud conspiracy.
Terry Rozier of the Charlotte Hornets drives to the basket during the second half of the game against the New Orleans Pelicans at Spectrum Center on December 15, 2023 in Charlotte, North Carolina. Getty Images
The indictment names the NBA and the Hornets as the victims. Rozier has denied being a part of the sports betting scheme.
Prosecutors said Rozier used a leg injury that he was dealing with late in the 2022-23 season as the reason to pull himself out of the game and was to receive $100,000 for his troubles, while gamblers placed total wagers of more than $258,700 on the under on Rozier’s stats for that particular game.
Rozier played a little more than nine minutes before he exited the game, finishing with five points, four rebounds and two assists.
The indictment indicated that he took a smaller bribe of $70,000 since the four rebounds he pulled down during the 2023 game caused some bets to lose, according to ESPN.
The new indictment came on the same day that Marves Fairley pleaded guilty to charges connected to the conspiracy, and alleged that he had paid Rozier as part of the scheme.
Terry Rozier (grey suit) arrives at Brooklyn federal court for oral argument in his case in April. Gregory P. Mango for NY Post
“I agreed to pay a player to change their game performance,” Fairley said in the Brooklyn federal courthouse on Thursday, per The Athletic.
Rozier was one of six individuals indicted last year on conspiracy to commit wire fraud and money laundering charges in the NBA-related investigation.
The new approach, effective next year, expands the lottery from 14 to 16 teams. More importantly, the teams with the three worst records in the league will get two balls in the lottery hopper; the teams finishing with the fourth through 10th worst records will get three balls. That alone eliminates the incentive to be among the three worst teams in the NBA.
But it doesn't remove incentives to lose. The difference between the 11th worst record and the 10th worst record becomes significant. As the season is coming to an end, the 10th worst team will want to hold that spot.
Under the new approach to the lottery, teams won't be able to have the top pick in back-to-back years, or to be in the top five for three straight years.
The new system runs from 2027 through 2029.
The measure passed by a vote of 29-1, with only the Memphis Grizzlies voting against it. Coincidentally, or not, the Grizzlies hold the 2027 first-round pick of the Utah Jazz. Under the new approach, that pick can't be any higher than No. 6.
Overall, it's better than the old approach. There's no longer a reason to try to be among the three worst teams in the league. And it sets up a late-season race for the fourth-worst spot, which becomes the difference between having two balls and three.
The best way to remove any and all incentive to lose games would be to give all teams the same chance at getting the top pick, and so on. The next best approach would be to give all non-playoff teams an equal shot at the top pick — assuming that a fringe playoff team wouldn't sacrifice a shot at the postseason for a chance at getting the best player in the incoming class of rookies.
Is this relevant to the NFL? Yes, and no. For now, the NFL has managed to ignore the reality that there is a clear temptation for non-playoff teams to not try to win late-season games. That temptation will become pronounced as the regular season inevitably grows.
But the NFL won't acknowledge the connection between letting a bad season run its course and securing a higher spot in the draft. Even with multiple blatant examples of late-season tanking in recent years, the NFL has managed to avoid it from becoming a point of emphasis for fans, media, and those who place bets based on the assumption that every team is trying its best to win every game.
May 26, 2026; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) drives against San Antonio Spurs guard Devin Vassell (24) during the third quarter in game five of the western conference finals for the 2026 NBA playoffs at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images | Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images
Tonight, the San Antonio Spurs host the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 6 of the Western Conference Finals. Tip off is at 8:30 p.m. ET. Watch on NBC or WRC-TV in the DMV. If the Thunder win tonight, they go back to the NBA Finals. Enjoy!
OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA - MAY 26: Victor Wembanyama #1 of the San Antonio Spurs during Game Five of the NBA Western Conference Finals at Paycom Center on May 26, 2026 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. The Thunder defeated the Spurs 127-114. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Welcome to the Game Thread. Veterans of the Game Thread know how we do things around here, but for all you newbies we have a few rules. Our community guidelines apply and basically say be cool, no personal attacks, don’t troll and don’t swear too much. The rule against trolling also applies to members of this site that visit other fan sites.
Tonight is the 99th game of the season for the young Spurs, more games than any of the starters have ever played in a season. We have seen the future of the NBA in this series, as Wembanyama broke into the conference finals with the most consequential game of his career in Game 1. He hasn’t been able to duplicate that effort in every game, but you have to give the Thunder some credit for defensive adjustments that have limited his efficiency, and also factor in the fatigue caused by the intense pressure of a high-stakes game every two days with travel and distractions. That fatigue was definitely a problem in Game 5, as Wemby had a pedestrian effort by his standards and The Silver and Black couldn’t overcome the offensive surge by the Thunder. The Thunder also has to deal with the same factors, but they’re the defending champs and they have the experience advantage. The Spurs will have to learn fast to catch up to the OKC juggernaut.
The Thunder have benefited greatly from their superior depth, and even when hit by injuries, their bench players have stepped up with superior efforts when they’ve had to fill in for the absence of starters. Jalen Williams (JDub) has hardly played in this series, but Ajay Mitchell (until he was injured) and Jared McCain have filled in admirably, and whoever who has come out to play when the starters rest has outplayed the Spurs reserves. Even if the Spur lose this series, the Thunder have shown the Spurs where they need to improve. The Spurs starters have played the Thunder pretty even, but the reserves have not held up, and there are several players on the Spurs bench that are not playable in non-garbage time. This series also shows how important home court is. The Spurs finished two games behind the Thunder in the regular season, and a couple more wins could have guaranteed them a Game 7 at home.
The Spurs have had an incredible journey so far this season, going from a team that hadn’t made the playoffs since 2019 to a team that’s competing in the conference finals against the defending champs. If that journey stops tonight or Saturday, it’s not the end, it’s just the beginning. The Spurs are at the stage the Thunder were in 2024, where they returned to the playoffs after an absence and gained the experience that led them to a championship in the next year, except that you can argue that the Spurs are on a bit of a faster track because they’ve gone further and been more competitive. A lot of things have to go right for a team to win a championship, but the Spurs have set a solid foundation this season. The team will need to improve and make some moves to take the next step, but I have confidence in the organization and players that they can do that.
But before we talk about all that, the Spurs have a game to play tonight. The least they can do it to make OKC hav to play another game to soften them up for the Knicks. Or maybe the Spurs can take another game in the Paycom Center. If the Spurs win Game 7, forget all of that stuff I said about being happy with the journey so far. Let’s win it all. LET’S GO SPURS!
Game Prediction:
The Thunder refuse to come out of the locker room after halftime when the referees refuse to eject the fan who awards an Oscar to SGA after every flop, and lose by forfeit.
San Antonio Spurs at Oklahoma Thunder, Conference Championship Round, Game 6 May 28, 2026 | 7:30 PM CT Streaming: Peacock TV: NBC Reminder: It is against site policy to post links to illegal streams in the comments.
Mitchell Robinson, the Knicks' backup center and a key reserve, has broken the pinky finger on his right hand, and his status for the NBA Finals starting next week is unclear, a story broken by James Edwards III and Fred Katz of The Athletic.
There is no word on how Robinson suffered the injury, nor the severity or location of the break.
This is a blow to the solid eight-man rotation Knicks coach Mike Brown has leaned on through the playoffs. Robinson is a high-level rim protector and an offensive rebounder — he averaged 4.2 offensive rebounds a game during the regular season. He was key in that role against the Spurs when the Knicks beat them in the NBA Cup Finals back in December.
While healthy and playing in every game, he has seen his minutes decrease in the last round as the Cavaliers adopted a hack-a-Mitch strategy to get him off the court (he was a 40.8% free-throw shooter this season). Robinson has averaged 5.3 points and 5.5 rebounds a game off the bench this postseason.
Whether the Knicks face the Spurs with Victor Wembanyama or the Thunder with Chet Holmgren and Isaiah Hartenstein, New York will need all the size and physicality they can bring to the front court and if Robinson misses much of the series that is a real blow to New York.
The Knicks could be without Mitchell Robinson when the NBA Finals start next week.
SNY's Ian Begley reports thatRobinson has suffered a broken right pinky finger and no timetable has been set for his return.
Robinson has been a crucial part of the Knicks' playoff run. In the Eastern Conference Finals against the Cavaliers, Robinson provided crucial minutes, impacting the game with his signature defense and rebounding prowess. In the clinching Game 4, Robinson scored eight points on 4-of-6 shooting, grabbed 10 rebounds, and was a plus-14 on the court in his 18 minutes of play.
The Knicks will head to either San Antonio or Oklahoma City for Game 1 of the finals starting Wednesday, June 3.
Robinson was expected to play a big role in the series, no matter who the Knicks end up squaring off against.
If the Knicks face the Spurs, Robinson could be the physical, tall center to match up with Victor Wembyanama. If the Thunder advance, Robinson could be used alongside Karl-Anthony Towns to combat OKC's massive frontcourt of Chet Holmgren and Isaiah Hartenstein.
Robinson, who will be an unrestricted free agent this upcoming offseason, averaged 5.7 points, 8.8 rebounds and 1.2 blocks across 60 games this season. His 60 games were the most Robinson has played in a single season since he played 59 games in 2022-23.
The New York Knicks, with the NBA Finals looming, had been playing with everyone at full health. That’s reportedly no longer the case.
Backup center Mitchell Robinson, a high-energy spark plug known for his defense and rebounding, reportedly suffered a broken right pinky finger earlier this week, according to The Athletic.
According to the report, there were no details about how Robinson suffered the broken pinky, nor was there any indication about how much time he may miss.
The NBA Finals begin Wednesday, June 3, and the Knicks will play the winner of the Western Conference finals between the Oklahoma City Thunder and San Antonio Spurs.
Robinson, who has had several injury issues throughout his career, had been available for New York this postseason. In 13 playoff games this year, Robinson has averaged 5.3 points, 5.5 rebounds, 0.6 bocks and 0.5 steals across just 14.2 minutes per game.
Robinson is typically the first center off the bench to spell starter Karl-Anthony Towns, but Robinson’s struggles from the free throw line — he’s shooting just 30.2% from the line this postseason — have forced Knicks coach Mike Brown to be more sparing with Robinson’s playing time. That’s magnified further because opposing teams have resorted to intentionally fouling Robinson to put him on the line.
Still, Robinson tends to have extremely impactful minutes because of his high effort and intensity. He’s also dominant on the offensive glass and is averaging 2.5 offensive rebounds in his short time on the floor.
If Robinson is forced to miss time, third-string center Ariel Hukporti becomes the next man up. Hukporti, who is in his second season, appeared in just 54 games this season — most of that coming in garbage time — and played just 9.2 minutes across those appearances.
Mitchell Robinson suffered a broken pinky on his right shooting hand, sources confirmed Thursday night, and there is no timetable for his return.
It’s a tough blow for the Knicks as they practice at their facility in Tarrytown, waiting for their opponent in the NBA Finals — either the Thunder or the Spurs.
Mitchell Robinson suffered a broken pinky finger. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post
It’s unclear when or how the Robinson suffered the injury, or whether he’s out for the NBA Finals or could possibly play with the fractured finger.
Depending on the severity of the fracture, Robinson could play through the injury if he can deal with the pain, according to Dr. Samir Sohda, Assistant professor at Hackensack University Medical Center and chief of hand surgery at Hackensack University Medical Center.
“It all depends on the severity of the fracture and where the fracture is in the digit,” Sohda said. “There are some fractures that may need pinning, maybe even plate and screws, depending on the severity of the fracture. If it’s a minor fracture, we call it an avulsion fracture. Still a fracture, still hurts, but technically it’s a stable fracture where you’re able to just tape the fingers, not cast, and play.”
Sohda said it is hard to read anything into what the lack of a timetable means.
“It can mean two things: one, they are seeking others opinions, which is more ominous, or two, if it was that obvious, he would have had surgery already,” he said. “It could mean both ways.”
If he’s out, it’s potentially a big problem for the Knicks. The 28-year-old represents New York’s biggest player and best rebounder, especially on the offensive glass. Without him, the Knicks only have two centers — Karl-Anthony Towns — who is a fantastic offensive talent and defensive rebounder but susceptible to foul trouble — and Ariel Hukporti — a second-year player who logged sparse minutes in the regular season and playoffs.
Robinson missed Game 2 of the 76ers series and Hukporti filled in for him, playing seven minutes in the team’s 108-102 win. He scored two points and grabbed three rebounds — but also committed four fouls.
Mitchell Robinson of the New York Knicks shoots a free throw during the game against the Cleveland Cavaliers during Game One of the NBA Eastern Conference Finals on May 19, 2026 at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. NBAE via Getty Images
Robinson’s presence provides the Knicks the ability to deal with either San Antonio’s Victor Wembanyama or OKC’s frontcourt of Isaiah Hartenstein and Chet Holmgren.
“Mitch is unique, so no matter who we play, Mitch is extremely important to what we’re trying to do, the way he offensive rebounds, the way he’s a vertical threat in the pick-and-roll game, the way he protects the rim, his versatility guarding,” coach Mike Brown said during the playoffs. “All that stuff is extremely important for us in this series. We need him to bring it at a high level, as well as everybody else.”
Robinson was coming off one of his better playoff performances in Monday’s closeout win over the Cavaliers, when he had 10 rebounds and eight points.
Robinson did not speak to the media but was in good spirits, having quickly dressed and ready to leave with food before the media was allowed in the locker room.
“I love y’all, but I’m trying to go,” he said.
Most of Robinson’s playoffs have been a roller coaster, however, defined by poor foul shooting.
Opposing teams have deployed Hack-A-Mitch with more regularity, keeping Robinson’s minutes down because he’s schemed off the court.
He is shooting just 30 percent from the charity stripe in the playoffs. During the conference finals, he acknowledged struggles with mental health.
“I’m deleting all apps for a little while until I can get back to myself,” Robinson posted to social media during the conference finals. “I had a very upsetting experience a few days ago. I’m not gonna go into detail about it, just gonna focus on the playoffs and myself.
“I know some of you have called and texted and it popped up green. That’s because I got a new [phone] number. My mental health is not the best right now but I am fighting to get back on track while playing on the biggest stage in the world in the Eastern Conference finals.”
Robinson will be an unrestricted free agent in the summer as the only player in New York’s top seven operating on an expiring contract.
The Robinson news is an eerie coincidence for the Knicks, who were absent another center due to injury — in this case, a star one in Patrick Ewing — in their last NBA Finals appearance in 1999. They lost in five games to the Spurs.
As a projected second-round pick, Momcilovic’s decision isn’t particularly surprising, especially since he stands to make significantly more money in NIL by continuing to play in college rather than going pro. And there are several teams eagerly awaiting to make him one of the highest-paid players in the sport.
With Momcilovic off the NBA board, one of the most efficient players offensively in the sport last season is once again on the market, a development that has the interest of some of the country’s best and most well-resourced programs. Momcilovic will reportedly be deciding between Kentucky, Louisville and Arizona, with a commitment expected in the next several days.
Where do things stand in what figures to be a whirlwind recruitment for Momcilovic? And what school potentially fits him the best?
Here’s a closer look at the options for Momcilovic:
Why it makes sense: As a 6-8 wing who shot 48.7% from 3-point range on 7.5 attempts per game last season, Momcilovic is a seamless fit for coach Mark Pope’s up-tempo, 3-heavy offense. It’s been a challenging offseason for the Wildcats, who have whiffed on many of their top recruiting targets, but those misses could serve them well in their quest for Momcilovic. Not only will they have a bigger role in the team’s offense than his other suitors might, but they figure to be able to have the most money to offer, without as many NIL resources tied up in other high-profile transfers. They're the reported frontrunner for a reason.
Why it doesn’t: Of his three possible destinations, Kentucky is projected to be the worst of the group heading into next season. While Momcilovic would improve the team’s outlook, it is currently outside the top 25 in virtually every early ranking for the 2026-27 campaign. Would Momcilovic, who played a huge role for an Iowa State team that was at least a No. 3 seed in the NCAA tournament in each of his three seasons there, trade that in for a potential middle-of-the-road SEC team his Cyclones thumped in the second round of the tournament last season despite being down their best player?
Louisville
Why it makes sense: Perhaps no program has had a more productive offseason than the Cardinals, who boast USA TODAY Sports' as the No. 3 transfer class. For all the talent Pat Kelsey has amassed this season, his squad is still lacking a No. 1, go-to scorer, a void Momcilovic could easily fill while taking Louisville from a preseason top-15 team to one that finds its way into the top 10 or even top five. He’s a sensible schematic fit in the Cardinals’ frontcourt, too. Momcilovic could stretch the floor in a way Kansas transfer Flory Bidunga, a more traditional center, can’t while Bidunga’s rim-protecting prowess makes up for some of Momcilovic’s defensive deficiencies.
Why it doesn’t: With so many of their NIL resources tied up in Bidunga, Jackson Shelstad and an enormous transfer haul, the Cardinals likely won’t have as big of an offer as Kentucky figures to present. Despite all of the talent that has been assembled in Louisville, it’s also fair to question how far the team can go under Kelsey, a relatively unproven coach at the power-conference level who’s coming off a disappointing 2025-26 season.
Arizona
Why it makes sense: The Wildcats have been a machine in recent seasons under coach Tommy Lloyd, including a 36-3 run last season that ended with the program’s first Final Four appearance since 2001. In Tucson, Momcilovic would have the chance to join a squad that’s already added the impressive likes of North Carolina transfer Derek Dixon, Washington transfer JJ Mandaquit and five-star incoming freshman Caleb Holt. If Momcilovic’s goal is to improve his NBA draft stock while playing for a Final Four or even national title contender, Arizona’s probably the best option of the three schools he’s considering.
Why it doesn’t: There aren’t a whole lot of basketball reasons that would work against a Momcilovic commitment, but there are other obstacles Arizona faces. The Wildcats entered the race for his services relatively late and aren’t believed to have the same kind of money to offer him that Kentucky and Louisville do.
Portal prediction: Where will Milan Momcilovic go?
NEW YORK, NY - MAY 19: Mitchell Robinson #23 of the New York Knicks shoots a free throw during the game against the Cleveland Cavaliers during Game One of the NBA Eastern Conference Finals on May 19, 2026 at Madison Square Garden in New York City, 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 Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The New York Knicks are partying like it’s 1999 after reaching the NBA Finals for the first time in 27 years, but it is coming at a price.
“New York Knicks center Mitchell Robinson has suffered a broken right pinky finger and there is no timetable on his return, sources tell ESPN,” ESPN insider Shams Charania tweeted.
The news comes three days after the Knicks’ Game 4 victory against the Cleveland Cavaliers, so it is unclear as to whether Robinson suffered the injury during the contest or whether it happened after the fact.
Robinson has been a key part for the Knicks during their playoff run. He has appeared in 13 of the team’s 14 games, averaging 5.3 points and 5.5 rebounds per game as the Knicks’ top frontcourt player off the bench.
The Knicks still have some time before the NBA Finals, so they could work out some kind of solution to try and get Robinson ready to face off against the Oklahoma City Thunder or San Antonio Spurs.
If Robinson were to miss out on playing in the Finals, it would likely mean more minutes for Karl-Anthony Towns, while Ariel Hukporti could come off the bench in his place. Whether they play the Thunder or Spurs, they will have to face off against an elite big man in Chet Holmgren or Victor Wembanyama, so not having Robinson would be a massive blow to the Knicks’ chances.
P&T community, what do you make of Robinson’s injury? Chime off in the comments section below.
LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLORIDA - AUGUST 04: Devin Booker #1 of the Phoenix Suns falls to the ground after scoring the game winning basket against the LA Clippers at The Arena at ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on August 04, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. 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 Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Flopping and falling. That has somehow become one of the primary conversations around the NBA during this postseason, which in and of itself is pretty embarrassing for the league. Then again, when you’re on the biggest stage and viewers are constantly watching players embellish contact and hit the floor trying to sell a whistle, people are going to notice. They’re going to talk about it. They’re going to analyze it. And now they are.
Tom Haberstroh of Yahoo Sports recently published an article in which he studied five players during this postseason, watching every shot attempt, both fouled and non-fouled, and tracking how often each player ended up on the hardwood.
The goal was simple. Find the data. See how often these guys actually fall. To the surprise of absolutely no one, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the pack when it came to ending up on the floor during shot attempts.
The question becomes, how often does this happen with the Phoenix Suns star Devin Booker?
Using the same methodology, and keeping it to this postseason as the sample size (because I definitely didn’t have time to go back through all 1,198 of Booker’s shot attempts this season), I figured it was a worthwhile thought exercise. So I spent a couple of days digging through the footage, watching shot after shot from Booker. All 70 of them in the First Round. That includes 63 official field goal attempts and seven additional shots that don’t count as FGA because they came on fouls and didn’t turn into an and-1.
I’ll start with this. You have to remember the Suns played the Oklahoma City Thunder, and there are only four games of data here. So while Tom Haberstroh had a much larger sample size to work with, going through 1,152 shots from five different players after the Western Conference Finals, Booker gave us 70 total attempts. That means every time he hit the floor, he carried more weight simply because the sample size was smaller.
That said, Phoenix faced Oklahoma City, a team well known at this point for its physicality and constant contact. And before I even get to the results, one quick observation.
Devin Booker has a beautiful jump shot. Sure, from beyond the arc it doesn’t always fall as often as we’d all like. And his 46/25/79 splits this postseason were certainly underwhelming. Still, when you’re sitting there watching shot after shot after shot, you really come to appreciate how clean the mechanics are. It’s smooth. It’s balanced. It’s just a damn pretty jumper.
So what did the numbers say?
Your initial reaction is probably to jump straight to the final number, 10%, and compare it to everyone else. On the surface, that places Devin Booker near the top of the list. Only Shai Gilgeous-Alexander at 17.4% and James Harden at 11.9% fell more on total shot attempts. One out of every 10 shots, you’ll Booker on the floor. Dig a little deeper, and the context matters. That number is driven heavily by Booker’s 30% fall rate on shots where he was actually fouled. That inflates the overall percentage. When you isolate non-fouled attempts, his fall rate drops to 6.7%, which is below everyone on Haberstroh’s list not named Wemby.
My biggest takeaway after watching all of Booker’s postseason attempts was how well he stays on his feet through contact. Does he seek contact to draw fouls? Absolutely. Does he try to manipulate officiating the same way plenty of stars around the league do? Of course. Unfortunately, that’s part of the NBA.
What stood out is that he doesn’t take it to a point where he’s constantly ending up on the floor trying to sell every whistle. Those three falls on 10 fouled shot attempts were legitimate. He wasn’t kicking his legs out, he wasn’t collapsing into a heap after release, he wasn’t hunting for dramatic reactions. He got hit. The contact knocked him down.
The more impressive number to me is what happened on the other 60 attempts. That’s the larger sample in this exercise, and based on the data available, Booker did a really strong job staying balanced, absorbing contact, and getting back on defense without falling to the hardwood. There were numerous occasions where, had it been SGA, he would’ve been on the floor. But Booker fought to keep the balance rather than succumb to it.
Now, don’t get me wrong, this isn’t to say that Devin Booker isn’t an actor at times. He’s not somebody who consistently ends up sprawled on the floor, but you’ll definitely catch him doing his fair share of flailing his arms or looking straight at the officials, wondering why contact on him didn’t get a whistle. Watching the footage, that happened. A lot. Perhaps I should do a flail rate percentage.
A 10% total fall rate, even with the smaller sample size, is still higher on the list than you’d probably want it to be. It also fortifies what our eyes tell us night in and night out. Devin Booker is an elite shot maker (inside the arc). He’ll seek contact and try to sell calls as every star does, but he’s never really been a consistently effective manipulator of officials.
Devin Booker definitely plays the foul-drawing game because every star in the league does at this point. That’s part of the modern NBA ecosystem, whether we love it or roll our eyes at it. The difference is in how often the theatrics become the story. Watching Booker possession after possession, the overwhelming impression wasn’t somebody trying to manufacture contact and live on the floor. It was a player trying to create clean looks, absorb physicality, and keep moving.
He’ll lobby officials. He’ll throw his arms up. He’ll give you the occasional stare that says, “Really?” We’ve all seen it. Still, compared to some of the postseason’s most discussed whistle hunters, Booker’s game still feels rooted far more in shot-making than in selling the performance around it.
