Outside of Payton Pritchard’s 32 points in Game 4, the bench was largely ineffective in Round 1. Pritchard was the only bench player to score 10-plus points multiple times in the series. The C’s had one or zero bench players score in double-digits in five of the seven games.
Building a stronger supporting cast around Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown and Derrick White needs to be a priority for Boston this offseason, and one of the most cost-effective ways to do that is making a good draft pick in Round 1.
The C’s own the No. 27 overall pick in the first round. Some examples of notable players taken in that slot over the last 15 years include Nikola Jovic (Heat, 2022), Cam Thomas (Nets, 2021), Robert Williams III (Celtics, 2018), Kyle Kuzma (Nets, 2017), Pascal Siakam (Raptors, 2016), Bogdan Bogdanović (Suns, 2014) and Rudy Gobert (Nuggets, 2013).
Here’s a list of potential Celtics targets in Round 1 based on recent predictions from experts in 2026 NBA mock drafts.
“Peat was a hot topic at the combine, as teams expressed concern over what appeared to be fully reworked jump-shot mechanics as he struggled in shooting drills. The door remains open for him to return to Arizona, which would give him additional time to solve those issues, with his shot viewed as the primary factor holding him back from having a solid NBA career. Whether he figures it out, his future might ultimately be as a small-ball five, a role that would allow him to use his strength and skill to his advantage while mitigating the potential negative impact of his shot.
“If Peat stays in the draft, teams picking in the 20s will have to consider investing in his development, noting his winning history, sturdy frame, and potential two-way versatility, provided he starts to make open jumpers. The Celtics have done a strong job with internal development and could view this as a value opportunity if he falls.”
“As good as Neemias Queta was all year, the Celtics clearly need to upgrade at center. Maybe Reed could be that choice. Reed is a throwback center who played at his best on the biggest stage on UConn’s way to the national title game. He does all the dirty work inside the paint as a finisher, rebounder and shot-blocker. But beyond his ability to screen and pass, he wasn’t all too comfortable on the perimeter as a shooter or defender. That story might have changed at the Draft Combine, though, since on multiple occasions Reed looked more nimble moving his feet outside, which could be the key to unlocking his potential.”
“If Mara wasn’t a part of this draft, the hoops world might be raving about Suigo’s measurements instead. After all, the “Italian Wemby” measured a tick below 7’3″ without shoes and displayed a 9’6″ standing reach with a 7’5.5″ wingspan.
“Suigo isn’t super nimble or twitchy, and he doesn’t offer a ton of self-creation, but at his size, he offers an impressive blend of passing feel, shooting touch and above-the-rim finishing. If the Celtics don’t want to cover the cost of Nikola Vučević’s free agency, Suigo could be a fun pivot.”
“Allen is a versatile wing who has both skill and toughness. He can handle, pass, and is a better shooter than his numbers indicate. Allen is a high-volume wing rebounder who is the type of competitor who should mesh well with Joe Mazzulla and ultimately realize his defensive potential. There is, however, still a possibility that he returns to school.”
“The Celtics might need to go big with this pick, with few options available on the free-agent market or on the current roster. This pick could be traded, of course, but as it stands, Boston will have some choices based on whom falls to them. Ejiofor came in with a 7-foot-2 wingspan at the combine, and an 8-foot-11 standing reach, offsetting his 6-foot-7.5 height measurement. He finished last year strong. Ejiofor is a fast-rising center who needs offensive work but plays with energy and physicality. He averaged 16.3 points, 7.3 rebounds and 2.1 blocks last year.”
CHICAGO, IL - MAY 14: Bruce Thornton drives to the basket during the game during the 2026 NBA Draft Combine on May 14, 2026 at Wintrust Arena in Chicago, Illinois. 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 Jeff Haynes/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The NBA Combine has officially wrapped up, and the 2026 NBA Draft is 32 days away. It’s been three years since the Utah Jazz drafted Brice Sensabaugh with the 28th overall pick in the 2023 draft, and now Bruce Thornton, who was in the same recruiting class as Sensabaugh, is hoping to get drafted.
Thornton is projected as a mid-to-late second round pick, which means regardless of who takes him, he will likely wind up signing a two-way contract and spend some time in the NBA G League. His height will always count against him, but Thornton did shoot the ball pretty well at the NBA Combine last week, and it seems like he is being considered by some teams as a potential second round selection.
Last week, Connor and Justin debated whether Ohio State needs to try to add another high major home game to the 2026-27 schedule.
The Buckeyes are already going on the road to face Notre Dame and UConn, playing a neutral site game against Kansas, and another “neutral” site game against BYU, although that game will be played about 40 miles fro BYU’s campus, making it far less “neutral” than it seems. What’s missing is a fun non-conference home game to bring the fans out, but as of now, there’s not one on the schedule.
Connor said that it wouldn’t be smart to add a difficult non-conference game to that schedule on top of those four games and the 20 Big Ten games Ohio State is already playing. It’s already a tough schedule, and you don’t want to make it impossible to navigate — kind of like what happened two seasons ago.
Justin said that yes, Ohio State needs to find a way to get a home game on the schedule, and that Ohio State should have a ranked team playing at the Schott in the non-conference every season.
Back to Bruce – the NBA Draft is next month, and Thornton could be one of the very last players taken in the draft. We expect that he’ll end up signing with someone regardless, but will he become the first Buckeye to get drafted since Sensabaugh in 2023?
This week’s question: Will Bruce Thornton get selected in the 2026 NBA Draft?
Connor: No
Maybe I’m jaded from several Ohio State players who I thought would get drafted go undrafted (Duane Washington, Kaleb Wesson, etc.) and others going way lower than I thought they deserved (Keita Bates-Diop, E.J. Liddell, etc.), but I think Thornton might go undrafted next month.
But is going undrafted really that much worse than being selected between picks 50 and 60? If Thornton goes undrafted, he’ll be able to communicate directly with the teams he worked out with before the draft and sign with a team that he thinks gives him the best opportunity to carve out a role this season.
The biggest knocks on Thornton are things that he cannot change. He measured exactly 6-feet tall and 225 pounds, which is the furthest thing from a prototypical NBA point guard. He can’t change that, and his college production was off the charts, despite not being built like a pro guard.
However, for both offensive and defensive purposes, his height especially is a knock against him.
Thornton was also one of the slowest players at the NBA Combine, timing .08 seconds slower than Michigan’s Aday Mara in the lane agility drill. His time of 11.55 seconds was one of the 10 slowest times at the Combine.
This shouldn’t be a big surprise to Ohio State fans, as Thornton was more of a deliberate, “one play at a time” point guard rather than a quick, run and gun, make things happen in the open floor type of point guard. He also tested pretty low in standing reach and wingspan at the combine, finishing in the bottom 10 of each of those as well.
I don’t doubt Bruce’s resolve, and I think he will eventually work his way onto an NBA roster. But between the testing at the combine and his height, I’m skeptical that an NBA team is going to use a pick on him on draft night.
Justin: Yes
There is one reason why Bruce Thornton will be drafted: teams love a guy that can shoot the ball.
Thornton was an elite shooter for the entirety of his career in Columbus, shooting 40.0 percent from three-point range his senior season and 38.1 percent from three-point range for his career.
His worst three-point shooting season was his sophomore season, were he shot 33.3 percent from deep. The other three years were all over 37 percent, and his final two were above 40 percent.
Any team will take an efficient scorer and an elite shooter. Specifically, the Minnesota Timberwolves have the No. 59 pick, and that is somewhere I could really see Thornton landing and thriving.
They did just trade for Ayo Dosunmu and have Terrance Shannon Jr., but he could be a point guard that they take a flier on late in the draft with Mike Conley at the end of his career. Buckeye replaces Buckeye.
The one thing that could affect this is if Thornton decides to tell teams he wants to be an undrafted free agent. Austin Reaves famously did this to get to the Lakers, telling teams not to draft him late in the second round.
The reason this is an option is the money between late second round and undrafted is not that different, and as a UDFA you can pick the spot you want to go to. That can help you succeed more than a place that might not be a good situation for their growth as a player.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MAY 21: Josh Hart #3 of the New York Knicks reacts against Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Cleveland Cavaliers during the fourth quarter in Game Two of the NBA Eastern Conference Finals at Madison Square Garden on May 21, 2026 in New York City. 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 Pamela Smith/Getty Images) | Getty Images
We’ve really reached a point where the Knicks simply walk on the court, move around a bit, put on a half-baked effort, and beat teams by 20.
New York and the irrational Knicks fanmob head to Ohio for, potentially, the final two games of the Eastern Conference Finals… and the unmentionable that would come next.
Here’s what he heard and read off a H(e)arty Game 2 victory.
"He's uplifting the entire team when he's on the bench. He's always talking in a positive way. He's showing our young guys that you can impact the game if you're present, because Jose's always present."
“It’s just who Josh is. He’s a gamer. He knew what he had to do in terms of the adjustments he needed to make in order to be effective, not just for himself but for the team, and he was great, really decisive. Not only that, he helped us get out in transition, and we have to play fast. He knows the work that he puts in, and his confidence is not going to waver. He’s going to put pressure on himself to take that next one and make the next one.”
On encouraging Josh Hart to keep shooting:
“We want him to keep shooting it. [If] those feet are set, and Jarrett Allen wants to play in the paint, shoot it. And we’ll figure out the rest of the game after that. But just a hell of a game from Josh.”
On Hart’s impact beyond the box score:
“He does so many little things that don’t show up on the box score. I mean obviously, he shot well tonight, he scored 26 points, he had seven assists, one turnover, but he does so much more.”
On giving Hart extra leash:
“Because he’s so impactful as a connector, I gotta give him probably more leash than anybody else. I gotta let him go be him and get out of his way. And that’s hard sometimes as a coach because you’re looking at X’s and O’s and you want everything to be perfect and you’re looking at the box score and you’re looking at this and with Josh and with Andre, all that s— should be thrown out the window because those dudes are winners.”
On trusting Josh Hart after benching him in Game 1:
“It’s easy for me to say because I have the utmost confidence in the world in him. He’s a gamer. When you have guys who are gamers, they do stuff that people don’t think they can do. And he knows the work he puts in. We know the work he puts in. His confidence is not going to waver. He’s going to put confidence in himself to take the next one and make the next one.”
On comparing Hart to future HOFer Andre Iguodala:
“My time with Andre Iguodala in Golden State helped a lot (understanding players like Hart). They’re different players, but they’re similar players because Andre is edgy, too. Andre is a hell of a player. I mean, he’s a great player. He does so many little things that if you’re not careful, you won’t appreciate them. It’s the same with Josh. He does so many little things that don’t show up in this box score … starting with the versatility that he gives us defensively that you have to — and I mean, me — be careful not to dismiss it. On top of that, because he’s so impactful as a connector, I got to give him more leash than anyone else. I have to let him go be him and get out of his way. That’s hard sometimes as a coach because you’re looking at Xs and Os, you want everything to be perfect, you’re looking at the box score and looking at this … with Josh and with Andre, all that s— should be thrown out of the window because those guys are winners.”
On Jalen Brunson handling double teams as the Cavs adjusted in Game 2:
“As an MVP candidate, Jalen Brunson’s job is to make the game easier for his teammates, and that’s what he did. If you don’t send a second guy at him, he’s got a pretty good chance of scoring. If you send the second guy at him, he’s going to make the game easier for his teammates. They’re sending double-teams at him, and he had 14 assists. He did what he’s supposed to do.”
On Jalen Brunson’s demeanor:
“He’s just about the right stuff. And we’re fortunate to have him.”
On the free-throw disparity in Game 2:
“I don’t know what to do about the free throw line. 22 to 6 in the second half. I gotta go back and watch the film. Maybe we’re fouling… Maybe we were fouling and they weren’t fouling. I don’t know.”
On Mikal Bridges asserting himself offensively:
“He just started to impose his will on the game a little bit more. I also have to make sure I call his number every once in a while and make sure he stays in the flow because he has a tough assignment every game defensively … I have to make sure I continue to involve him offensively to let him know: ‘Hey, we know you can do this for us. So go do it.’“
On how they prepared for Game 2 after the Game 1 comeback:
“We have a veteran group. Any time you’re in the playoffs, you obviously need a little bit of talent, you need a little bit of luck and then you need skill. All those things came to play for us coming back from [22] points down with that little bit of time to go. I think our guys understand that we got away with one and we don’t want to put ourselves in that position again because Cleveland is a great team, they’re well coached and they have great players on that team. They’re not gonna let that opportunity slip through their hands again. We’ve talked about that but not necessarily about the emotional part.”
On Jose Alvarado leading from the bench:
“We actually pointed it out to our group in practice. You watch the film, he’s uplifting the entire team when he’s on the bench. He’s always talking in a positive way. He’s showing our young guys that you can impact the game if you’re present, because Jose’s always present. You’re using your voice and your energy, guys feel that on the floor. Jose’s been phenomenal.”
On the Knicks’ defensive focus during the nine-game winning streak:
“Our defense was pretty good, especially when you have the talent that they have and the All-Stars that they have and the shooting that they have. We just have to keep mixing up what we do. Our guys did a pretty good job of trying to pay attention and lock in on the details on the defensive end.”
Jalen Brunson when asked if he feels like it’s on him to keep Josh Hart confident:
“Yeah. I mean I'm really not trying to look for him, he just happens to be open. So I give him the ball.” pic.twitter.com/EZNpfD1DLz
“I’m really not trying to look for him, he just happens to be open. So I give him the ball. I got the utmost confidence in him watching the things he does after practice and with his routine and everything. He works hard. I know he jokes around a lot about his practice habits, but he does work hard.”
On Cleveland’s double-team strategy:
“I mean, they’re presenting two to the ball. I was able to find my teammates. They were knocking shots down. Just trying to create an advantage by putting two on the ball, trusting them to have to make the play.”
On adjusting to different game plans from the Cavs or anyone they face:
“I think it’s an advantage for us, learning how to play differently. There are going to be times where one game plan is going to be different than the next, so being able to adjust and learn on the fly and adjust on the fly, it’s something that we need to continue to get better at. But I think we’ve been doing a great job of it.
“The most important thing is that we’re growing and learning together. No matter what the situation is, whatever the series is or whatever, we’re open to getting better, open to figuring out how to win games, trusting each other. It’s a lot of different things.”
On the Knicks’ growth throughout the playoffs:
“A little bit more experience, and I think the most important thing is we’re growing and learning together. Whatever the situation is, we’re open to learning, getting better, and figuring out how to win games.”
On fueling their transition offense by playing stiff defense:
“We were able to get stops, run and get easy baskets. Our offense, the way we were able to play in transition, is definitely a credit to our defense.”
On playing alongside Mikal Bridges and trusting him in big moments:
“Fantastic. It’s not something I truly am thinking about until you said something, but it’s great to have guys like that that you’ve known for a long time be in those positions with you. We have a lot of fond memories of having big games and doing stuff like that. It was great, we’re all very thankful of everything that happened in that fourth and overtime.”
Josh "Never huge analytics guy. They're a lamppost to a drunk person––you can lean on em but it won't get you home
“Those first three [3-pointers that I missed], they felt good, and I was kind of frustrated about it, because, obviously, I’ve been putting in the reps with [assistant coaches Kwadzo Ahelegbe] and Peter Patton. And I was frustrated at first, I was like, ‘Bro, it’s not translating right now.’ And then I knew I just had to keep shooting. And I knew if I did that, I’d be good.”
On not believing in analytics:
“I’m never a huge analytics guy. At a certain point, they’re a lamp post to a drunk person – you can lean on them, but it won’t get you home. At a certain point, you gotta have a good feel for the game.”
On being compared to Andre Iguodala:
“Iggy was a hell of a player, I don’t know if I’m at that level, but I just try and go out there and play my game.”
On Brunson’s trust in his teammates:
“He had a huge offensive game [in the] last game, so we knew they were going to come in with a different game plan. I just think it shows, one, the confidence that he has in us, and the depth of the team that we have. It just shows the character of the team, character of him. It shows we can win games in different ways.”
On the team’s mindset being up 2-0:
“This shows the character we have of the guys in the locker room. We can’t be happy with just being up 2-0. The Cavaliers were just down 2-0 in their last series, and they know it and we know it. We have to go out there, they’ll have a sense of urgency, a sense of desperation, so we can’t just match it but exceed it.”
On serving the team no matter his role:
“I’m here to serve these guys … [to] make sure they’re in the best position to be successful. I put the success of the team over the success of myself any day.”
On refining his shooting after a bad Game 1:
“Improving reps and the consistency of those reps. For me, it’s not like I got to go out there and make 500 3s. If I go out and focus and make 500 3s, the mechanics slip just trying to make shots. So we’re just doing precise fundamentals of my shot and perfecting that. And if I did that, I’ll be in a good position. And that’s what I did.”
On trying to play with more joy and grace:
“One of the things I try to do is play with more joy and more grace. I don’t really celebrate when I score or make a good pass. I kick myself, probably a little bit too much, when I miss shots or make turnovers. I think I started to learn to play the game and give myself more grace and not to try and be perfect. I’m happy with that.”
"We got a lot of resilience in the locker room. Lot of guys that just understand the main goal."
Mikal Bridges joins Inside the NBA after the Knicks earn their franchise-record 9th straight playoff victory 😤 pic.twitter.com/XCZHx0DgYF
“Just trusting me. Corner three, just try and be ready and try to make the shot.”
On Josh Hart staying confident despite Cleveland’s strategy to dare him to beat them:
“Just staying mentally tough. That’s the biggest thing and just keep trusting his game, trusting his work. We’re super confident in him and we’re going to keep finding him.”
On Brunson’s 14-assist night:
“A great message. It just shows that he plays the right way. If you’re not going to send a double team, I think it’s an advantage for him. If you send a double team, he’s going to read and react and find the open guy and play the right way. Ever since I’ve known him, he’s played the right way. … If you’re going to keep helping off, he’s going to make you pay, and that’s what makes him great.”
On Brunson adjusting to double teams:
“It just shows that he plays the right way. If you’re not going to send a double-team, I think it’s an advantage for him. If you send a double-team, he’s going to read and react and find the open guy. Ever since I’ve known him, he plays the right way. Kudos to him, how he works, and his understanding of the game. If you’re going to come [double-team him], he’s going to make you pay and that’s what makes him great.”
On Josh Hart’s mental toughness:
“We’re super confident in him. We’re gonna keep finding him and we know he’s gonna make some shots — but for him, we just know he’s mentally-tough.”
“We don’t feel any closer than we did last game or any game. It’s back to in our minds a 0-0 We got to win the next game. It’s the most important game of the year and that’s how we treat it.”
On Josh Hart’s frustration after early misses:
“I don’t know if we can say what he was saying to himself out loud.”
On Hart’s selflessness:
“That is a guy you want on your team. He’s so selfless. That makes us selfless.”
On adjusting his own approach in Game 2:
“Just seeing where the game goes. Last game, I felt was a game for us to kind of download a lot of information. Today, I just wanted to be aggressive — like I always say, playmaking, getting looks at the basket. It wasn’t even about scoring, it was about putting pressure on the defense, and I just found myself in good positions.”
"I knew that's what the game plan was going to be. I've just been working." @joshhart tells @saltersl he has no problems with the Cavs forcing him to shoot 😤 pic.twitter.com/OnlZYXl6D1
“He’s about winning. We knew that from the jump. Obviously, he’s one of the best scorers in the league, but the fact that he’s willing to just be selfless and give up the ball when guys are double-teaming him proves that he just wants to win.”
"I don't have an ego, that got burned out of my heart a long time ago." 😤
Josh Hart on humility and embracing his role after scoring a postseason career-high 26 PTS in New York's Game 2 win!
— Big Knick Energy (@BigKnickEnergy_) May 21, 2026
Mitchell Robinson
On stepping away from social media amid the ECF:
“Last post before I delete this app. I finally have changed my number for many reason [sic] … as I fight through and keep fighting in this playoffs run my focus have to go to another level. This is the start of a new chapter in my life. Love and will miss y’all … Mitch out.”
Wilson Chandler, Gerald Wilkins, Larry Johnson, Iman Shumpert, Bernard King, Tim Thomas, Stephon Marbury, Kurt Thomas, Latrell Sprewell, Nate Robinson, Walt Clyde Frazier and John Starks courtside pic.twitter.com/kWBbCl3vNl
“That’s what great players do, right? They read the game, and the game dictated that. Obviously, we were loaded up more to him, and he found other guys. … Took away some of his scoring options, blitzed him, gave him different looks. He made the right reads, the right plays.”
On making playoff adjustments and still losing miserably:
“You gotta pick your poison; that’s what the playoffs are about. You gotta pick players or (a) player you gotta help off of, so those are the choices you make in the playoffs.”
"With [Alex Caruso], they're guarding him kinda the same way. … Sometimes that's what happens."
Donovan Mitchell on Josh Hart scoring a playoff career-high 26 PTS in the Cavs' Game 2 loss. pic.twitter.com/lCg2aFCj5l
“Our process was right tonight. I’m happy because we really didn’t let Game 1 affect our mental (approach). We still came with the right intention, did a lot of positive things. And now we have to go home and handle business.
“So that’s why, for us, for me, I’m not sitting here scrambling trying to figure things out. We make some shots, we’ll be in good shape.”
Q "What [could] you & Evan do to be more involved offensively?
Jarrett Allen "Sometimes I feel like we can just go set the pick. Stop waiting for a play, for somebody to call us up. Just run the offense from ourselves…initiating by just going & setting a screen out of the blue" pic.twitter.com/PhUu28Xsdf
“It was definitely the right process. There’s definitely a few possessions you want back and a few turnovers and stuff like that, but overall, I feel like we played a pretty good game.”
DENVER, COLORADO - MARCH 27: Ace Bailey #19 of the Utah Jazz drives to the basket in the second half against the Denver Nuggets at Ball Arena on March 27, 2026 in Denver, Colorado. 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 Dustin Bradford/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The NBA All-Rookie teams were announced today, and Ace Bailey landed a spot on the second team. This is the first Jazz All-Rookie team selection since 2024 – in 2025, both Collier and Filipowski narrowly missed out on a spot.
While many Jazz fans were hoping that Ace could snag a First Team spot, a place on either team is an honor during a year of remarkably productive rookies. If Ace was able to reach his post All-Star game heights earlier in the season, it’s likely he would’ve replaced Cedric Coward in the First Team. In his 23 games after the All-Star game, Ace increased his scoring average by 6.6 (11.7 to 18.3) and his assists and rebounds marginally. This offensive leap coincided with a more aggressive attitude defensively; after the All-Star break, Ace increased his stocks per game (steals + blocks) by a solid 0.78 (1.26 to 2.04). While it is true that his increase in opportunities coincided with the league-wide buffoonery of March and April, his in-season improvements were undeniable; he was more confident offensively, highlighted by a 37 point game against a Raptors team battling for playoff positioning, and more overwhelming defensively – just ask the Philadelphia 76ers how they felt after his 5 block performance on March 21st. I had my hesitations about Ace at the beginning of the year – do we really need an inefficient shot chucker? – but his clear willingness to learn and do the little things on the court impressed me, and may not have been caught by some of the voters who likely had little incentive to watch late-season shellackings of the Utah Jazz.
What is the next step for Ace? In all promotional content, he is expressed an excitement to work over the summer, and I hope that work is focused primarily on his ball-handling and POA (point of attack) defense. Watching the tenacious backcourts of the Spurs and Thunder, and I am preemptively worrying for Keyonte George in the 2027 playoffs being Utah’s lone ballhandler. These perimeter defenders are too good for the Jazz to hope for success against without multiple options. Ace will need to improve his dribbling, but if he does then we will have the luxury of simply handing him the rock and letting him create a shot at any level, without fear that Cason Wallace or Stephon Castle will swipe the ball from him before it even reaches the apex of its bounce. Until then, he’s best utilized as an off-ball piece, which we already have in bunches (Kessler, JJJ, Markkanen). Ball-handling is his true swing skill.
Additionally, defensive improvements are necessary. An obvious commonality of the powerhouses in San Antonio and Oklahoma City is their impenetrable perimeter defense. Assuming we pay Walker Kessler, Utah has invested much more of its salary to interior defense. Who’s our defensive stopper next year – Cody Williams? A rookie Darryn Peterson? Maybe Elijah Harkless gets some more run? These names do not strike fear into hearts the same way that Alex Caruso or Jalen Williams do. This could be Ace’s role on the Jazz, if he is able to translate his athleticism and flashes to consistent, game-to-game impact. An extra 10 pounds of muscle likely wouldn’t hurt him in this regard.
With Ace on board and our #2 pick likely working out somewhere in Provo, Utah or Lawrence, Kansas, the Jazz’s future is bright. On what skillset do you think Ace should center his off-season work? Do you think he should’ve been selected for All-Rookie first team? Sound off below!
The Oklahoma City Thunder face the San Antonio Spurs in Game 3 of the Western Conference finals. The teams split the first two games in Oklahoma City. Games 3 and 4 will be in San Antonio. San Antonio is favored by 1.5 points in Game 3. Thunder forward Jalen Williams (hamstring) and Spurs guards De’Aaron Fox (sprained ankle) and Dylan Harper (adductor) are questionable to play.
How to watch Oklahoma City Thunder vs San Antonio Spurs
Moneyline: San Antonio Spurs -129 (54.0%) / Oklahoma City Thunder +108 (46.0%)
Over/Under: 218.5
Series schedule, results
Game 1:Spurs 122, Thunder 115 (2OT) Game 2:Thunder 122, Spurs 113 Game 3: Oklahoma City at San Antonio (Friday May 22, 8:30 p.m. ET, NBC/Peacock) Game 4: Oklahoma City at San Antonio (Sunday May 24, 8 p.m. ET, NBC/Peacock) Game 5: San Antonio at Oklahoma City (Tuesday May 26, 8:30 p.m. ET, NBC/Peacock)* Game 6: Oklahoma City at San Antonio (Thursday May 28, 8:30 p.m. ET, NBC/Peacock)* Game 7: San Antonio at Oklahoma City (Saturday May 30, 8:30 p.m. ET, NBC/Peacock)*
SAN ANTONIO, TX - MAY 4: Assistant Coach Sean Sweeney and Devin Vassell #24 of the San Antonio Spurs talks during the game against the Minnesota Timberwolves during Round Two Game One of the 2026 NBA Playoffs on May 4, 2026 at the Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photos by Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Since the firing of Jason Kidd, Mavericks fans have been speculating on who the Mavericks could hire to replace him, and with Masai Ujiri’s track record, it could be someone unexpected.
So with this search underway, who are some likely candidates, and are there unexpected names that could surprise the NBA world, all according to the Athletics’ Christian Clark.
1. Sean Sweeney
The first name that has come up for many Mavericks fans is former Maverick assistant Sean Sweeney.
Sweeney was an assistant for the Mavericks from 2021-2024, and was Jason Kidd’s lead assistant. Sweeney was instrumental to Dallas’ 2 deep playoff runs, specifically being the mastermind behind those teams elite defenses.
According to Clark, it is a matter of “when — not if — Sweeney will land a head coaching job”, with both the Bulls and Magic expected to show interest.
Sweeney would bring an intensity, and x’s and o’s focus that hasn’t been seen since Rick Carlisle, and could hopefully instill a defensive mindset that has been sorely lacking.
2. Micah Nori
The second name mentioned by Clark is current Minnesota Timberwolves assistant Micah Nori. Nori has served under Chris Finch for 5 years, and technically has head coaching experience.
This came in the series against the Mavericks in 2024 after Finch injured his knee in game 4 of their previous series.
Nori has been a prime candidate for multiple hiring cycles, and would be a prime candidate for the Mavericks job.
3. Tiago Splitter
The third NBA coach mentioned by Clark is former Portland Trailblazers interim head coach Tiago Splitter.
Splitter was heading into the 2025-2026 season as an assistant before the Chauncey Billups gambling scandal, forcing Splitter into head coaching duties, in which he performed admirably.
The Trailblazers ended up making the playoffs, but with new ownership coming aboard, Splitter may be looking for a new team.
Similar to Sweeney, Splitter has a connection to the Mavericks organization, that being newly hired GM Mike Schmitz.
4. Jon Scheyer
The first unexpected name mentioned by Clark is current Duke head coach Jon Scheyer.
Scheyer has been the head coach at Duke for the last 4 years, and has amassed a record of 125-24; although, he has been unable to win a national championship.
Scheyer’s connection is obvious, as he has coached both Dereck Lively II and Cooper Flagg, who both have expressed their admiration for the Duke coach.
While it would be a surprise for the Mavericks to hire a college coach, it would make sense if the focus was to build around Flagg, as Scheyer is the one who both recruited and developed the young star.
5. Dawn Staley
The final, and most surprising name that Clark mentioned was current South Carolina Women’s head coach Dawn Staley.
Staley has coached the Gamecocks since 2008, and has become one of the greatest coaches in women’s college basketball history.
And an NBA move doesn’t seem impossible, as Staley interviewed for the Knicks head coaching job last year, with her remarking on a podcast that she “would have had to do it,” and that “It’s the New York Knicks”.
It remains to be seen if the Mavericks would actually offer her the job, but it seems that Masai Ujiri would have some interest in the possibilty.
With the Western Conference Finals tied at 1-1 apiece, the series shifts to the Alamo City as the San Antonio Spurs look to regain the upper hand on the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder.
Our Thunder vs. Spurs predictions for Game 3 include no shortage of NBA player prop projections, and we have you covered for the best NBA picks on Friday, May 22.
Thunder vs Spurs computer picks for Game 3
Thunder
Spurs
Gilgeous-Alexander u7.5 assists +102
Harper o11.5 points -109
Holmgren o13.5 points -112
Champagnie u2.5 threes -105
Mitchell u14.5 points -115
Castle u7.5 assists +110
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Thunder Game 3 computer picks
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Under 7.5 assists (+102)
Projection: 6.24 assists
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has failed to clear this line in seven of his last 10 games, and given the Oklahoma City Thunder's sixth-slowest pace, expect that to continue in Game 3.
OKC also ranks as the second-worst team in offensive rebounding on the road, so Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs should limit SGA's facilitating tonight.
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Chet Holmgren Over 13.5 points (-112)
Projection: 16.02 points
Chet Holmgren has cashed this prop in seven of his last 10, and our computer projects a 18.77% EV advantage ahead of tip-off.
The Thunder have averaged 119.6 points per game away from the Paycom Center this season, and Holmgren should continue to be one of the main beneficiaries tonight.
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Ajay Mitchell Under 14.5 points (-115)
Projection: 12.98 points
Ajay Mitchell has accumulated just 14 points through the first two games of this series, attempting only 13 shots in the process.
The OKC guard has finished below this number in six of his last 10 contests, and an elite San Antonio Spurs defense (third in defensive rating) is set to keep it that way.
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Spurs Game 3 computer picks
Dylan Harper Over 11.5 points (-109)
Projection: 12.57 points
Dylan Harper has really stepped it up in the postseason, averaging 16.4 ppg over his last five matches.
If Harper suits up tonight and De'Aaron Fox remains sidelined, the rookie should continue to shine against a Thunder defense that allows starting point guards to attempt the most threes per contest.
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Julian Champagnie Under 2.5 threes (-120)
Projection: 2.28 threes
Julian Champagnie has missed the cut on 2.5 threes in five of his last 10 games.
Shooting just 4-for-18 from 3-point range in the Western Conference Finals, look for the third-year Spur to take a backseat offensively tonight.
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Stephen Castle Under 7.5 assists (+110)
Projection: 6.84 assists
Stephen Castle’s assist totals have dipped from 7.4 per game in the regular season to 6.6 in the postseason.
At plus money, it’s worth a look for the Spurs guard, who has cleared this prop in just four of his last 10 contests.
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How to watch Thunder vs Spurs Game 3
Location
Frost Bank Center, San Antonio, TX
Date
Friday, May 22, 2026
Tip-off
8:30 p.m. ET
TV
NBC
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After a 109-93 win against the Cleveland Cavaliers on Thursday night, the Knicks are in control of the Eastern Conference Finals with a 2-0 series lead. Game 2 was a balanced offensive attack as all five New York starters scored in double figures. Josh Hart also came alive with 26 points.
Now, the Knicks will look to extend their franchise record of consecutive postseason wins to 10 games. With the series scene shifting to Cleveland, let’s dive into some keys to Game 3.
Hart beat
Game 2 was a moment of redemption for Hart. Relegated to the bench for much of New York’s Game 1 comeback in the fourth quarter and overtime, Hart recovered with 26 points, four rebounds, and seven assists on Thursday night.
The story of this series so far has been Cleveland’s defensive strategy to have center Jarrett Allen guard Hart. Allen is largely ignoring the New York wing. Hart got off to a slow start, missing five of six treys in the first half, but he went on a run, knocking down four of five trifectas in the second half.
Many of the attempts Hart took were completely open. Cleveland is defending this way to keep the rest of New York’s lineup, including stars Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns, in check. Allen has been able to protect the rim and limit scoring opportunities in the paint by ignoring Hart.
But Hart has shown he is capable. He shot 41.3 percent from the three-point line on 242 attempts in the regular season. The Cavs probably will continue to defend Hart with a center, but after this postseason career night, they might not leave him as wide open going forward. That could open up opportunities for other Knicks on Saturday.
May 21, 2026; New York, New York, USA; New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson (11) dribbles against Cleveland Cavaliers guard Max Strus (2) during the second quarter of game two of the eastern conference finals of the 2026 NBA playoffs at Madison Square Garden. / Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
Working the glass
Coming into this series, the Knicks were expected to have a rebounding advantage against Cleveland. However, through the first game and a half, the Cavaliers seemed to control the boards.
In the first half of Game 2, Cleveland dominated the glass, recording nine offensive rebounds to New York’s one offensive board. The Cavaliers had just four in the second half, where the Knicks created some separation.
Towns had a solid offensive night with 18 points. But he also made an impact on defense. The center had 13 rebounds, all coming on the defensive end. Preventing offensive rebounds from Cleveland’s big man duo of Evan Mobley and Allen is crucial to picking up wins in this series. Mobley and Allen combined for just four points in the second half.
Balanced starting five
Game 2 was all about balance for New York. After Brunson took over the series opener, the Knicks got contributions from each of the club’s starting five. New York’s starters each scored at least 14 points.
Cleveland made more of an effort to prevent Brunson from isolating one-on-one against James Harden. The Cavs brought help to stop the Knicks point guard. It created opportunities for Brunson to get his teammates involved.
Brunson finished the game with 19 points and a career-high 14 assists. New York had 32 assists on 44 field goals on Thursday night. Playing together has been a regular occurrence for The Knicks, who have recorded at least 30 assists on four different occasions during this playoff run.
The pass is a larger part of New York’s offensive identity. The Knicks are sixth in assist rate during the playoffs (60.5 percent) among 16 teams during the playoffs. In last year’s playoff run, the Knicks ranked dead last.
It’s safe to say that moving the ball will be important to New York’s continued success.
LeBron James says he is just chilling after the end of his 23rd NBA season, and he isn't spending time thinking about his future.
"I'm still in the moment of just taking my time," LeBron said on the latest episode of his "Mind the Game" podcast with Steve Nash (hat tip Dave McMenamin of ESPN). "I haven't even really thought about it too much. Obviously, I understand that I'm a free agent and I can control my own destiny... but like, I haven't even really got to that point. I haven't even taken my family vacation yet, which is going to happen after Memorial Day. That's kind of the thing at the forefront of my mind."
LeBron may not be thinking about it, but the rest of the league is.
LeBron knows this isn't 2010 anymore, when he could make "the decision" on July 8 — at least 2/3 of free agency is done in handshake deals before free agency opens on July 1, a league source told NBC Sports a couple of years ago. By the time the Summer League starts (July 9 this year), all the major dominoes will have fallen, and teams are just filling out their rosters.
LeBron, for his part, does not want to be rushed.
"I think at some point in June, late June, as July rolls around, free agency starts to get going, and as July rolls around and maybe into August, we'll start to kind of get a feel of what my future may look like," LeBron said on his podcast.
LeBron would not commit to returning to play a record 24th NBA season, he can just retire, but the expectation in league circles remains that he will play one more season.
It's also much more likely we know where he plays that season by around the NBA Draft (June 23) or by July 1 than it is under LeBron's more casual timeline. He needs to wait out the Giannis Antetokounmpo trade situation — that is the big domino that must fall first for most free agents — but after that, things will move quickly. While LeBron is a huge name and the biggest brand on the board, and he's still an All-Star-level player at age 41, if he wants to prioritize winning (as he has said), then he is going to be more like the third-best player on whatever team he chooses. He accepted that role for the Lakers' best stretch of last season (in March) and he thrived in it.
The other big question: How big a pay cut is LeBron willing to take? That may be the biggest question about where he lands.
He's definitely taking less than the $56.2 million he made last season. The problem is that a lot of the teams he is linked to — Cleveland, Golden State, New York, Denver — can offer only a veteran minimum of $3.9 million. (While those teams could, in theory, work out a sign-and-trade with the Lakers to get LeBron more money, those teams are not going to want to give up a quality player to make this work, and the Lakers are only getting involved in a sign-and-trade if they get something back they want.)
LeBron could re-sign to stay with the Lakers, and they could offer him more money ($25-$30 million) on a one-year contract. The Lakers plan to re-sign Austin Reaves and then remake the roster to better fit Luka Doncic's playing style. LeBron has to fit into that roster reshaping, not be at the heart of it. Also, if winning is the ultimate priority, he just got an up-close look at how far the Lakers are away from the Thunder, even if Doncic had played in that series. If a shot at another ring is the highest priority, are the Lakers his choice? Of course, in reality, it's more nuanced than that, and it includes factoring in being close to his family and much more.
Whatever LeBron decides, expect it to happen faster than the casual timeline he laid out on his podcast.
After a fourth-quarter takeover, Jalen Brunson showed love to his favorite actress.
The Knicks’ star, who hit double-figures in points again in the final quarter of the Knicks’ 109-93 Game 2 win over the Cavaliers, celebrated by running over to Mariska Hargitay, the star of “Law & Order: SVU.”
The actress, who plays Captain Olivia Benson, gave Brunson a big hug for his latest heroics, as seen in a video posted by award-winning director and actor Ben Stiller.
“Jalen, from one captain to another, congratulations on becoming a 2025 NBA All-Star,” Hargitay said. “I cannot wait to see you work your magic in San Francisco.”
“Yeah, that’s my favorite person ever,” Brunson responded. “That’s my favorite person ever.”
Law & Order: SVU star Mariska Hargitay and Jalen Brunson are good friends. NBA
Brunson’s love of Hargitay is no secret of everyone else on 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 told Brunson on his “Roommates” podcast last year.
Brunson was also seen with multiple other “Law & Order” stars on different occasions, including Christopher Meloni, who sat next to Hargitay in a clip that went viral last year as Brunson hugged her.
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Also in the photo was Hargitay’s son, August, whom she had with her longtime husband, Peter Hermann, with the two tying the knot in 2004.
The stars love Brunson, as he’s been seen hugging the likes of Francisco Lindor, Jimmy Fallon and many more before and after games.
There will be many more flocking to him, too, as the Knicks are up 2-0 in the Eastern Conference finals in this dominating run.
Jalen Brunson embraces with the Law & Order: SVU star.
After going down 2-1 to the Hawks in the first round, the Knicks have won nine straight playoff games.
The Knicks have opened Game 3 as 2.5-point underdogs with the series shifting to Cleveland, as oddsmakers suspect a big boost from the Cavaliers’ home crowd.
LOS ANGELES, CA - APRIL 21: Jarred Vanderbilt #2 of the Los Angeles Lakers warms up before the game against the Houston Rockets on April 21, 2026 at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Juan Ocampo/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
At times this season, the dynamic between Jarred Vanderbilt and Lakers head coach JJ Redick was rocky, in obvious and subtle ways.
It was never more apparent than their very vocal argument in a late regular-season loss against the Thunder. Redick called a timeout in the second quarter to take Vando out of the game, and they got into a heated debate.
It wasn’t a good look for either person. Vando didn’t play again in that contest, even though the Lakers were playing without Luka Dončić, Austin Reaves, LeBron James, or Jaxson Hayes.
During Vando’s exit interview, he spoke about his dynamic with Redick.
“We ended up good,” Vanderbilt said. “Like I said, we’re both competitors. We’re competing at the highest level, so sometimes tensions rise and you have disagreements. But, it happens. Player to player, coach to player, staff to player, when you all have a goal like that of winning, sometimes disagreements happen. That’s all it was. We’ve been good ever since.”
Vando says they are good, but clearly, Redick prefers to play many players over him.
In Redick’s first year in charge, Vanderbilt averaged just 16.1 minutes per game. That was his lowest minutes total since the 2020-21 season.
This year, Vando played 17.4 minutes per game. That is well below his averages over the previous four seasons before Redick, when he was a 20-plus minutes-per-game player.
Given that Vando is the fifth-highest played player on the roster, but averaged the 11th most minutes, it’s clear his actual value on the team and what he’s compensated are out of whack.
This has been an adjustment for Vando, and given what we saw during that game against the Thunder in April, disagreements and frustration can boil over.
Still, Vando is a pro and handled it well. Not once did he publicly bash his coach or rant about wanting to play more. When his number was called, he gave his best effort, and that’s all one can ask for. It’s Redick’s team, and he gets to decide when people should play.
It’s good that the two are okay because Vando not only has value as a perimeter defender but also has a guaranteed contract next season and a player option the following year.
So, unless a trade happens, they have to figure out how to work well together. It seems that late into the year, after that disagreement, they found some common ground.
After splitting a pair of games at Paycom Center, the Western Conference Finals between the Oklahoma City Thunder and San Antonio Spurs shift to Frost Bank Center for Game 3 tonight.
Our Thunder vs. Spurs props dive into the best NBA player prop values for Friday, May 22, headlined by Victor Wembanyama.
Game 3 Prop #1: Victor Wembanyama Over 14.5 rebounds
Victor Wembanyama has been unstoppable on the glass since the second round. Not counting the game in which he was ejected, Wemby has averaged 15.6 boards across his last seven contests.
The big man has corralled 15+ rebounds in six of those seven games, including two straight against the Thunder.
The Thunder have thrown Chet Holmgren and Isaiah Hartenstein at him as primary defenders, but the result has been the same.
Oklahoma City has allowed the fourth-most offensive rebounds per game this postseason, and Wemby has gobbled up 14 of them across his last two outings.
Game 3 Prop #2: Ajay Mitchell Over 21.5 points + rebounds + assists
Jalen Williams re-injured his hamstring in Game 2, and he's questionable tonight. Given his injury history and risk of re-aggravation, it would be surprising if he took the court.
Ajay Mitchell filled in for Jay Dub admirably in the playoffs, starting six straight games. Mitchell’s usage skyrocketed from 15 to 28.3 in six games without Williams, and his PRAs jumped from 16.3 to 30.2 compared to the four games they played together.
Mitchell has the clearest path to picking up Williams’ vacated production, and I expect him to cruise past his PRA total tonight.
Game 3 Prop #3: Chet Holmgren Under 23.5 points + rebounds + assists
Wembanyama has Holmgren’s number, and he’s locked him down all season. Holmgren averaged a career-best 27.7 PRA in the regular season, but that number plummeted to 19.3 in four matchups with Wemby.
Holmgren has been even more limited in the Western Conference Finals, averaging just 17.5 PRA in Games 1 and 2.
Wembanyama ranks in the Top 3 in opponent FG% (39.4), opponent points per game (64.3) and defensive rating (98.8) this postseason. He’s expected to be on Holmgren again tonight, impeding the OKC big man once again.
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OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - MAY 20: Victor Wembanyama #1 of the San Antonio Spurs and Isaiah Hartenstein #55 of the Oklahoma City Thunder look on during Game Two of the NBA Western Conference Finals on May 20, 2026 at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. 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
We anticipated an epic clash of titans before the Western Conference Finals even began, and we’re getting it after two intense battles in OKC between the Spurs and Thunder. Mark Daigneault made some impressive moves to change things up in Game 2 after the Spurs stole Game 1, and now the series comes to San Antonio all tied up but with injury questions lingering for both squads. With that, I continue Fraternizing with the Enemy, in this round Cray Allred of the Daily Thunder, as we discuss what those chess moves were and what we can expect in Game 3.
As a reminder, this round is in honor of the late great J.A. Sherman: friend and former manager of Welcome to Loud City, who passed away last year at the age of 49.
J.R.
It’s never been a stretch to call playoff basketball a chess match. (I’ll bet someone made the comparison as far back as the 60’s.) But if it’s largely true, then it’ll be specifically true for any series. If it’s definitely true, then it’ll be phenomenally true for a series that conventional wisdom said would be epic before it even began. So let’s look at the chess moves made by the coaches and the players Wednesday night.
In order to fully evaluate a game of chess, you have to understand the context in which it was played. Same with basketball, so the place setting for Game 2 includes a quick cap of Game 1. The Spurs didn’t play particularly well with tons of turnovers and poor shooting but OKC shot well from deep. SA dominated the glass and got 10 more free throws. Chapagnie, Vassell, Harper, and Castle shot 8-33 from 3pt and the Spurs still won. SGA had what could be expected to be his worst game of the series; San Antonio turned the ball over a ton and hemorrhaged transition points, but won anyway, which set up round two in Oklahoma.
The biggest move from Game 1 to Game 2 was MD’s decision to place one of his knights, Hartenstein, on the opposition’s queen, Wemby, with the instructions that no holds are barred. This was the biggest move of the game and all others pale by comparison. Freed from having to defend the pivot, the other knight, Caruso, was a terror all over the court. Knights move oddly, show up where they’re not expected, and are difficult to nail down. The incisive use of Thunder’s supplemental pieces tilted the game their way.
But the match wasn’t decided. The rooks were in play, and they were making themselves felt when one was taken out from each side. JDub and Harper left the game with injuries and without being able to expect either’s return, the series will likely not be the same. Without a major piece to support his most powerful piece, Daigneault leaned on SGA, his most powerful piece, and was not disappointed.
What did you see as the second match went to the home team, and what do you expect from match number three?
Cray:
I love the chess analogy, but I’d call Game 2 closer to a round of “Chesskers: We Gave the Checkers a Pieces a Gun” (yes, that’s a real game). Hartenstein didn’t just provide more physicality against Wemby; he applied all his might to block, hold, lane screen, pull, smack, pin, and spend as many hard playoff fouls as the refs afforded him. That he hit some pretty moonball floaters over Wemby’s umbilicals made him look a little more like a chess piece at times. That Daigneault didn’t just use his championship starting center to guard the tallest starting center in the NBA *at all* for Game 1 made the adjustment less brilliant.
And who better to fill in for both Spurs Rooks than San Antonio’s Castle? Well, Stephon Castle is more of a gunslinger than a finesse piece. The guy is powerful, applying enough brute force and speed to keep Shai from breaking into space, and yamming all over Hartenstein for one of the fiercest dunks of the season (iHart’s hair pull on Castle, if even 1% accidentally-on-purpose, was the furthest thing from a power move). Castle can sling lethal passes to the corners and lob grenades for Wemby to detonate from the highest rung of the ladder, but he can’t keep a live dribble or make clean passes against the Thunder pack of defenders for the duration of the game. Now averaging 10 turnovers in the series, Castle is being tasked with work that De’Aaron Fox and Dylan Harper have been underappreciated for.
In the 18 minutes Castle shared the court with Harper, the Spurs were +6. In his other 20 minutes, they were -17. When Caruso and Cason Wallace smell blood, ball handlers are never safe.
If Williams is out, Daigneault won’t even have the Mighty Mouse in the House option outside of Alex Caruso’s minutes. I expect the Spurs to find ways to get Wemby back on the prowl, and/or for different officiating crews to blow the whistle more. Wembanyama earned about 7 fewer free throws per-36 than normal, and SGA was down about 4 attempts per-36. I also expect San Antonio to get a needed boost of energy from their home crowd after such a demanding open to the series. They have to be tired. Shoot, I’m tired just watching.
Both teams seem poised to maintain sky-high intensity all series, but now it’s OKC’s turn to try and keep their oomph for 48 minutes on the road. They’ll need another night of steady shotmaking to steal the first in San Antonio, and not just from Shai. And as fluid and effective as the Spurs have been flying around on defense, they haven’t generated many of the live ball turnovers that can power huge runs and overwhelm the opponent.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MAY 21: Josh Hart #3 reacts after scoring a basket against the Cleveland Cavaliers during the third quarter of the New York Knicks in Game Two of the NBA Eastern Conference Finals at Madison Square Garden on May 21, 2026 in New York City. 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 Sarah Stier/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Last night the five-man lineup that’s caught more flack than any in the NBA for two years led the New York Knicks to a 109-93 win over the Cleveland Cavaliers, a 2-0 lead in the conference finals and their ninth straight playoff win. For a little more than half the game, neither team led by double-digits; for the last 20 or so, the Knicks did almost entirely. In the process, they’ve presented their opponents with an all-new kind of nightmare.
Three years ago, the Cavs were eliminated in five games by the Knicks. Two years ago, it was 4-1 Celtics. Last year the gentleman’s sweep came courtesy of the Pacers. Now the only double-apron payroll in all the land — whose all-in move was trading a quicksilver 26-year-old All-Star point guard (albeit once in the past four years) for a molasses-legged 37-year-old All-Star point guard (albeit once in the past four years) — are in danger of being swept in a decidedly un-gentlemanly manner by a Knick team that marries the traits of Cleveland’s past three conquistadors.
You wouldn’t know off of last night, when no Knick starter played fewer than 32 minutes and Evan Mobley and Donovan Mitchell were the only Cavs to play more, but the Knicks are the deeper team. Their much-maligned starting five are the superior quintet. Jalen Brunson’s better than Mitchell. Karl-Anthony Towns clears Evan Mobley. James Harden is a first-ballot HOFer, but in 2026 OG Anunoby is the better player. I’d grant you Jarrett Allen may have done more over 82 games for his team than Mikal Bridges did for his, but in the playoffs Bridges has played like he’s worth 10 draft picks. And while Dean Wade looks better with a mustache-less beard than most, Josh Hart looks better doing everything else.
Two years ago New York were down to three healthy players and a couple assistant coaches by Game 7 against Indiana. Last year the Knicks ran seven-deep. This series, 10 Knicks have played in both games for a total 14-plus minutes, to just eight Cavs. If that doesn’t seem like much of a difference, multiply it by two or three, depending how long this series goes. Then square it by this: since April Fool’s Day, the Knicks have played 17 games and flown three times, all to Atlanta; the Cavs have played 22 (including two Game 7s) and flown nine times. It adds up.
In 2025 the Cavs ran into a Celtic squad on its way to the title. That Boston team featured a five-out offense, with each starter a two-way player. The only answer to that kind of firepower is to feature a five-out offense with five two-way players yourself, but that ain’t easy; if it were, the Mavs would’ve already tried and failed to re-invent it.
Hart’s growth as a shooter, crystallized by last night’s John Starks-like explosion from deep, plus the presence of shooters like Miles McBride, Landry Shamet and Jordan Clarkson — all two-way players — means the Knicks can play five-out whenever they want. The only time they don’t is when Mitchell Robinson is gobbling 50% of the available offensive rebounds. Pick your poison. Either way, the Cavs look sick.
The 2023 Knicks were just plain tougher than the 2023 “Lights Too Bright” Cavaliers. Darius Garland, Isaac Okoro, Caris LeVert — those are total sweeties. Meanwhile those Knicks featured the sinister, sinewy musculature of RJ Barrett and Julius Randle, plus granite block Isaiah Hartenstein. If you landed from the planet Xylar at the start of that series and just looked at the Earthlings for each squadron, you’d know who was gonna win.
And that, beyond Brunson’s brilliance and Hart’s heroics and KAT contorting the very question of what is and isn’t possible for an NBA offense, is the subatomica powering the Knicks to their 2-0 lead: their power.
In one of the few moments last night when the fourth-quarter lead was double to single-digits, and the game was a Cav three away from squeaky-bum time, OG Anunoby went baseline and got to the basket and just powered the ball through the hoop. It wasn’t a dunk. Wasn’t a lay-up or a floater. It was just literally like when three little kids are all giggling and hanging on their dad’s arm, trying to hold it down, and he just pulls whatever strength he needs from whatever reservoir he has and raises it. The arm doesn’t flow with the grace of its usual freedom, nor struggle or tremble beneath the added weight. It is simply what is going to be, visibly being.
These Knicks are big and strong and good. All of them. Brunson is a power point. Hart’s a 4 that’s tough enough to play 5 in the body of a 2. KAT is big and brilliant and beautiful. This playoff offense has spawned some interesting new species. Por ejemplo: what is this feeling when the ball moves around and Towns of all people is wiiiiide-open? When Towns-as-shooter is an afterthought, given how good he and his teammates look with him doing more with less?
Could there be any sweeter justice from the basketball gods than Towns becoming a superior version of his envious troll, Draymond Green: a brilliant passing big and face-up fulcrum, plus he can actually shoot? And work out of the post?
Donovan Mitchell moved for much of the game like something isn’t 100%. He refuses to confirm that, as you’d expect from anyone in his position. During the game, Kenny Atkinson confirmed to ESPN — during the game! — that he, the coach of the Cavaliers, the team Mitchell plays for, agreed that Mitchell looked off.
WHAT?!
How is that real??
Quoth DWilTheKnicksfan: “Finish strong.” The Knicks continue to play strong. They put the Hawks to the sword the first chance they got, and Games 3 and 4 in Philadelphia were your classic no-rope, no-hope one-two. The Cavs are going to play their best* game of the season tomorrow. Elimination games are almost always the hardest to win, but trying to go up 3-0 is often the same energy.
In my lifetime the Knicks have taken 2-0 leads in the ECF twice. In 1993 they followed that up with four straights Ls. In 1994 they lost the next three, before rallying to win the last two. Normally I’d say this time I’ll settle for a split, but today I wouldn’t.
I don’t think that does these Knicks enough credit. They can finish this in four, both because they are in fact that good, and because these Cavaliers do not exactly have a 2004 Red Sox vibe to them.
The Knicks have learned what works the past few seasons and now represent the best of what the East has been. If they can finish the Cavaliers off sooner than later, they can rest before pitting their best against the West’s.
New York, N.Y.: New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson (11) dribbles against Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell (45) in 2nd quarter during Game Four of the Eastern Conference First Round Playoffs at Madison Square Garden on April 23, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by J. Conrad Williams Jr./Newsday RM via Getty Images) | Newsday via Getty Images
Welcome to the conference finals and the last step to see who goes to the NBA Finals.
If you’re wondering who to root for in the Conference Finals as we near the end of the playoffs this season, you are in luck.
Let’s have a look at the teams in the conference finals and how they match up.
Knicks vs. Cavaliers
Both teams are led on offense by high usage guards. Both teams have a front court that has a floor spacing four and a defensive five. On the wings, there are 3-and-D players. While the teams are similar in roster make-up, the way they play makes this matchup different from what one would expect.
Both the Knicks and the Cavaliers are in the top five in playoff scoring. The Knicks are second and the Cavs are fifth with 119.9 and 109.9 points per game, respectively.
Jalen Brunson leads the Knicks in scoring at 27.6 points per game. Donovan Mitchell, in contrast, averages 29 points per game for Cleveland.
Karl Anthony Towns and Evan Mobley lead their teams in rebounding with 10.5 and 14 rebounds per game, respectively. The combined rebounding of KAT, Hart and Mitchell Robinson propels them to the fourth spot as a team in the playoffs.
The series will be decided on if the Cavs can slow down the Knicks from continuing their playoff-leading shooting from the field and three. The Cavs are leading the playoffs in 3-pointers made. Which teams can slow down the scoring in those areas will be the main deciding factor for this series.
Game 3: New York at Cleveland | Saturday May 23 (8 ET, ESPN)
Game 4: New York at Cleveland | Monday May 25 (8 ET, ESPN)
Game 5: Cleveland at New York | Wednesday May 27 (8 ET, ESPN)*
Game 6: New York at Cleveland | Friday May 29 (8 ET, ESPN)*
Game 7: Cleveland at New York | Sunday May 31 (8 ET, ESPN)
Thunder vs. Spurs
This is a series mainly focused on Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Victor Wembanyama and on how the teams will defend them. The Thunder will have Chet Holmgren, Isaiah Hartenstein and, at times, will have Alex Caruso defending Wemby. On the Spurs side, they have Stephon Castle, Dylan Harper and Devin Vassell to defend SGA.
Both SGA and Wemby lead their respective teams in most stats, including in scoring. Wemby leads the Spurs in rebounding while SGA leads his team in assists. Castle and Hartenstein are the other two players leading their sides in stats with assists and rebounding, respectively.
Both teams are in the top three in points in the playoffs. The Thunder lead the playoffs with 26.6 in assists and the Spurs lead in rebounding and blocks. with 48.4 and 7.9, respectively. The Thunder and Spurs are very close in field goal percentage, 3-point percentage, made 3-pointers and free throw percentage.
The main factors in this series will be slowing down field goals on drives. The Spurs will have to continue their fast break scoring, where they average 16.5 points per game. Despite the Thunder being second in the playoffs in steals, they are not in the top five in fast break points. San Antonio is leading the playoffs in points in the paint.
Finally, the Spurs need to keep their league-leading defensive rating going of 103.9. The Thunder, despite having the defensive talent, are not in the top five in the playoffs in defensive rating. On the other side of the court, the Thunder lead in offensive rating at 123.4 while the Spurs third at 116.3.
So, if the Spurs can slow down the Thunder’s 3-point shooting and double SGA, they can make the series pretty close.
Game 7: San Antonio at Oklahoma City | Saturday May 30 (8 ET, NBC/Peacock)*
My Predictions
Knicks in 6 games
Spurs in 6 games
If you want to discuss anything, you can do so below. I will update this thread as the two conference finals series continue. In the meantime, you can share your thoughts of the conference Finals in the comments below.
When I am not posting ridiculous trades on here you can find me talking about Nintendo, LGBT content, music, and the Lakers on my Twitter. You can follow Alexis on Twitter at @BeautifulShy_RSand on BlueSky at @msshyskye.bsky.social.
Thunder
Spurs
