CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Charlotte Hornets guard Brandon Miller underwent surgery on Wednesday to address left shoulder instability.
Miller will be out indefinitely and additional updates on his status will be provided as appropriate, but the team said he is expected to make a full recovery.
He missed 13 consecutive games beginning in late October after sustaining a left shoulder subluxation injury. He played the remainder of the season with a wrap around the shoulder.
Despite the injury, Miller played in 65 games and averaged a team-leading 20.2 points as well as 4.9 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 1.0 steals in 30.3 minutes per game. He shot a career-high 38.3% from 3-point range and made 204 3-pointers.
The No. 2 overall pick in 2023 also ranked ninth in the NBA by hitting 89.2% of his free throws.
SAN ANTONIO, TX. - MAY 2026: San Antonio Spurs guard Stephon Castle (5) gets tripped up in the first quarter in Game 1 of the NBA Western Conference Semifinals at Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Texas, on Monday, May 4, 2026. (Photo by Carlos Gonzalez/The Minnesota Star Tribune via Getty Images) | Star Tribune via 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.
A lot of writers say that a series doesn’t become interesting until a team loses on their home court. The Spurs are in the unenviable position being in a series that became interesting right out of the gate, as the Timberwolves bullied theirselves1 to a 1-0 lead with a road win by shutting down the offense of the Spurs key players, and scoring just enough to hold onto a two point when Julian Champagnie’s last second three-point shot clanked off the rim.
The Spurs are going to have to adjust to the pressure of the second round of the NBA playoffs, while the Timberwolves are fully acclimated, having been to the conference finals the last three season. I expect a better game tonight from Victor Wembanyama and De’Aaron Fox tonight, but the Chris Finch will also try to throw some more wrinkles at the Silver and Black to keep them off balance, so they will have to both adjust to Game 1, and anticipate that the opponent will try some new things to gain any advantage they can.
For some reason, Finch has chosen to spend his time in front of the press to play mind games with Victor’s record-breaking performance on Monday, claiming that it was due to a series of bad and missed calls. Leaving aside the fact that referees always miss calls, I don’t think that playing mind games with the tall French dude is a worthwhile use of energy, because Victor’s mind is as strong as the rest of his game, and he’s not going to be distracted by Finch’s antics.
The Spurs’ assignment for tonight is simple. Contain Randle. Don’t let Gobert shut down the paint by using more offensive motion to move him away from the basket. Use better shot selection and hit some damn shots. Don’t let Ant go crazy. Carter Bryant, if he’s available to play (Questionable), may be able to help with that. Keep blocking McDaniels’ shots. Get Wembanyama’s offense uncorked early, and don’t play him so many minutes that he’s worn out at the end of the game. Wow, this stuff is easy, I should be a basketball coach. Just kidding … Anyway, GO SPURS GO!!
Google says that this word is grammatically incorrect. Suck it, Google.
Game Prediction:
Finch tries to tutor the referees on how he expects them to call fouls and is quickly assessed two techs and ejected from the game.
San Antonio Spurs vs Minnesota Timberwolves, Second Round, Game 2 May 6, 2026 | 8:30 PM CT Streaming: ESPN App TV: ESPN [NOTE: since this the second game on ESPN, it may start on another ESPN-affiliated channel to start if the first game runs long. Which channel to watch should be announced during the broadcast if the first game runs past about 8:42 PM] Reminder: It is against site policy to post links to illegal streams in the comments.
Luckily for Ben Stiller, the Met Gala is only one night.
The actor and director was back at Madison Square Garden on Wednesday night for the Knicks’ 108-102 Game 2 win over the 76ers after missing the second-round series opener on Monday night due to his prior commitment at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
At the gala, Stiller supported his Knicks when he wore an orange tie, while his wife, actress Christine Taylor, donned a royal blue gown designed by Bibhu Mohapatra. Stiller put up six fingers while he entered the gala, signifying he believed New York would beat Philly in six games in the series. New York did its part with a Game 1 rout of the 76ers.
He had a much more toned-down look at the Garden with a black Knicks hoodie. Sitting not too far from him along the first row was actor Timothée Chalamet — who did skip the Met Gala to attend Game 1 — and his girlfriend, Kylie Jenner.
Actors Tracy Morgan and Ben Stiller on celebrity row during the second quarter on May 6, 2026. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post
Jenner attended the gala without her beau. On Tuesday, Chalamet posted a video of him draining a 3-pointer at MSG, prompting the Knicks to reply in the comments: “check your dms we just sent you a 10-day,” jokingly offering him a contract.
Jason Bateman, Sam Rockwell, Kylie Jenner and Timothée Chalamet chat courtside at Knicks vs 76ers Game 2 at MSG pic.twitter.com/S8WiQweu6O
Actor Timothee Chalamet and his girlfriend Kylie Jenner on celebrity row during the second quarter. Charles Wenzelberg / New York PostJay-Z jokes around with New York Knicks alum Tim Thomas during the third quarter.
Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post
The actors were only part of the equation for the Game 2 celebrity scene, as rapper and mogul Jay-Z — the former Nets part-owner — posed for some pictures with Knicks legend and MSG Network analyst Walt “Clyde” Frazier.
Patrick Ewing, John Starks, Larry Johnson, Latrell Sprewell, Spencer Haywood, Chris Childs and Kurt Thomas rounded out the Knicks alumni contingent for the evening.
As hilarious as it would have been to send one final middle finger in the direction of the Oklahoma City Thunder, Derrick Favors will not be the Utah Jazz’s representative for the 2026 NBA Draft Lottery. I know, I know. How poetic would it have been to display the long-tenured Jazzman on the podium as a physical reminder that OKC will not be getting Utah’s lottery pick this year, nor any year for the forseeable ever.
Face!
In Favors’ place, the Jazz have elected to send the smiling face of breakout point guard Keyonte George (along with the rest of his body). George was selected 16th overall in the 2023 draft — the year that Utah officially began to reconstruct from the ruins of the Gobert-Mitchell explosion. He has developed into a borderline All-Star in just three years with the Jazz, and he orchestrates Will Hardy’s offense better than any of Utah’s many, many selections since ‘23 — with the tantalizing talent of Ace Bailey still pending.
Keyonte is living proof that the rebuild was a success. Breathing evidence that a team can build through the draft, and that these SLC Punks (hey, kinda like the name of the site!), will not conform to Adam Silver’s backwards regime, nor will they relent when the losses flip to wins in under a year’s time. A beautiful decision, and one deserving of my applause.
Utah currently holds the fourth-best odds thanks to boasting the fourth-worst record league-wide, plus a coin flip to nudge ahead of Sacramento. With just an 11.5% chance of claiming the number-one overall pick, the basketball world will watch with bated breath as we send a solemn prayer to the hooping heavens:
“Please, please, please I have never asked for much Except for last year. And the year before that But I pray not for the number-one pick. I ask for only this: Don’t give it to Golden State And especially don’t give it to Dallas Amen.“
Cancel your Mother’s Day plans. The NBA Draft Lottery will air on Sunday, May 10, at 1:00 PM MT.
Calvin Barrett is a writer, editor, and prolific Mario Kart racer located in Tokyo, Japan. He has covered the NBA and College Sports since 2024.
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - APRIL 25: Ayo Dosunmu #13 of the Minnesota Timberwolves celebrates against the Denver Nuggets in the third quarter of Game Four of the First Round of the 2026 NBA Western Conference Playoffs at Target Center on April 25, 2026 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Timberwolves defeated the Nuggets 112-96. 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 David Berding/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Part of me feels like it’s too early to start diving into free agency, then I look at the calendar and realize it’s already May. We’re in the middle of Bright Side’s SunsRank and player recaps for the 2025-26 season, and it’s already time to start looking ahead to 2026-27. The draft lottery is this weekend. We’re already in the second round of the playoffs. The Finals will be here before you know it, then the draft, then free agency. So let’s start breaking down the free agent market by position and eligibility.
First up, point guard.
Ah yes, the point guard position. It’s not what it used to be. There was a time when the point guard was the table setter. Every successful team had someone orchestrating the offense, creating opportunities for everyone else. As the game evolved and spacing took over, the traditional point guard slowly gave way to combo guards. Scoring exploded. Every position is now expected to contribute offensively and fill up the box score.
And with that shift, true floor generals became harder to find. Players don’t always see the whole floor anymore. Most see the rim first. That evolution has completely changed the point guard position over the last decade.
It’s one of those interesting notes that you hear whenever people talk about what needs to be fixed on the Suns. “We need better point guard play. We need a better facilitator, somebody who understands distribution and who focuses on setting up those around them.” Not wrong. But also, becoming extinct. It’s like me asking for a Schlitz at dinner. It’d be nice to have, but no one has it.
You can tell that our fan base was raised on quality point guard play. Because we’ve had Steve Nash, Kevin Johnson, Jason Kidd, Chris Paul, Don Buse, and Paul Westphal. Yeah, he was a starting point guard on the 1976 NBA Finals team. My point? Were conditioned to the old-school way of thinking. But it’s a new NBA, and the current Suns administration is fully embracing that by having both Devin Booker and Jalen Green on the roster. They leaned into still having Collin Gillespie, however, thus creating undersized small-ball three-guard lineups this season.
So when we look at the upcoming unrestricted free agents at the point guard position, the natural question is whether the Suns should explore signing any of the guys listed below, excluding those who played for the team this past season. It’s almost the punchline in Phoenix right now. If you propose a name like Collin Sexton, the instant response is “Oh, another guard?”
So, who’s gonna be available on the free agency market at the point guard position? Here’s the list provided by Spotrac.
Player
Age
Exp.
Previous Team
Previous AAV
Status
Collin Sexton
27.3
7
CHI
$17,737,500
UFA / Bird
Coby White
26.2
6
CHA
$12,000,000
UFA / Bird
Gabe Vincent
29.8
6
ATL
$11,000,000
UFA / Bird
Ayo Dosunmu
26.2
4
MIN
$7,000,000
UFA / Bird
Aaron Holiday
29.6
7
HOU
$4,784,700
UFA / Bird
Kyle Lowry
40.1
19
PHI
$3,634,153
UFA / Early Bird
Russell Westbrook
37.4
17
SAC
$3,386,366
UFA / Non-Bird
Gary Payton II
33.4
9
GSW
$3,303,774
UFA / Bird
Jordan McLaughlin
30
6
SAS
$2,874,436
UFA / Early Bird
Nah’Shon Hyland
25.6
4
MIN
$2,461,463
UFA / Early Bird
Collin Gillespie
26.8
3
PHX
$2,378,870
UFA / Early Bird
Jordan Goodwin
27.5
4
PHX
$1,286,648
UFA / Early Bird
Jevon Carter
30.6
7
ORL
$1,168,625
UFA / Non-Bird
Brandon Williams
26.4
3
DAL
$1,159,362
UFA / Bird
Mike Conley
38.5
18
MIN
$1,148,727
UFA / Non-Bird
Tyus Jones
29.9
10
DEN
$814,552
UFA / Non-Bird
The two obvious names that jump off the list are Collin Gillespie and Jordan Goodwin, and we already know the organization will prioritize bringing them back. Both are eligible for Early Bird, which gives the Phoenix Suns an inside track to retaining them.
I would expect the Suns top priorities this offseason to be 1. Retaining Collin Gillespie 2. Retaining Jordan Goodwin
Looking at the rest of the list, I’m curious who you all think the team should target, if any one. If both Gillespie and Goodwin return, and you factor in Jamari Bouyea on a team option next season, that’s a lot of players capable of handling point guard duties. The depth is there. Maybe too much depth. Because with that comes the temptation to keep rolling out three-guard lineups.
If there’s one thing the Suns should prioritize next season, it’s getting bigger and finding more ways to consistently finish at the rim, so I’m not sure how appealing any of these names are. Who do I like?
I like the idea of Collin Sexton in a vacuum because he applies pressure at the rim and has that quick-twitch athleticism. At the same time, he’s essentially Jalen Green, only smaller and older. That kind of defeats the purpose. Although he would be cheaper. If there’s a scenario where the Suns move Green and redistribute that incoming $36.3 million salary into multiple assets, then I wouldn’t mind pursuing someone like Sexton.
There’s also Ayo Dosunmu, who is finally getting some shine with the Minnesota Timberwolves this postseason after years of fading into the background in Chicago Bulls land. The problem is postseason shine usually equals postseason money, and that’s not a road Phoenix should go down in my opinion. He’s a solid all-around guard, still, if you’re bringing back both Goodwin and Gillespie, the skill set becomes redundant.
And that’s really where the conversation lands for Phoenix at point guard. It’s less about finding another ball handler and more about understanding roster balance. The Suns already have enough players capable of initiating offense. What they lack is complementary size, interior pressure, and lineup versatility that doesn’t force them into playing small every night. That’s why this free agent market feels more like a test of restraint than aggression.
There are intriguing names available, sure. Still, adding another guard simply because he can dribble, pass, and score misses the bigger picture. The Suns do not need more redundancy. They need fit.
DALLAS, TX - APRIL 12: Moussa Cisse #30 of the Dallas Mavericks drives to the basket during the game against the Chicago Bulls on April 12, 2026 at American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Glenn James/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
When Mousa Cisse was signed as a two-way player before the season, no one had any expectations for the rookie big-man.
But Cisse was a pleasant surprise all season, as his energy and rim protection were felt anytime he stepped on the court. But with the Mavs frontcourt being so crowed, should the Mavericks bring him back next year?
Well, they should, and it would be malpractice not to.
Season review
Cisse began the season as an afterthought, but as the Mavericks big-men suffered repeated injuries, it forced Cisse into the spotlight.
He would receive inconsistent minutes for most of the first few month, with some games where he wouldn’t see the floor at all. But his minutes were always impactful, the relentless effort on the glass, and eye-popping athleticism always showing up.
But then he stopped playing, all because of a decision the Mavericks made.
After the trade deadline, the Mavericks had the option to convert one two-way player, and chose Ryan Nembhard over Cisse. This led to Cisse brushing up to the two-way limit for games, meaning he played only 8 games post trade deadline.
Despite the weird end, Cisse thrived when his number was called. While the box-score numbers don’t jump off the page, the underlying metrics suggest that Cisse may have real rotation potential.
One number that highlights this is his RAPM (Regularized adjusted plus-minus).
Cisse posted a +0.8 RAPM, which is in the 70th percentile across the league, all per Databallr.
But my favorite part of Cisse’s game is his offensive rebounding, with a 16.2% OREB rate, which is 96th percentile. With extra possessions becoming so much more important in recent years, Cisse projects as one of the true elite offensive rebounders in the NBA.
Best game
My choice for Cisse’s best game is easily his performance on Jan. 19 against the New York Knicks.
Cisse scored 15 points, grabbed 9 rebounds, and blocked 4 shots, all leading to a Mavericks win. This game specifically showed off his offensive rebounding, as he grabbed 4 offensive rebounds against a Karl-Anthony Towns and Mitchell Robinson front-court.
Contract status
Since the Mavericks did not convert Cisse at the deadline he will be a restricted free agent, meaning the Mavericks can match any offer he receives.
The Mavericks can offer Cisse up to a 4 year deal, most likely at around the league minimum, or just above.
Looking towards the future
Moussa Cisse is not yet a true rotation player, with his rawness offensively holding him back.
He often chases blocks on the defensive end and racks up fouls at a very high rate. But these are things that can be ironed out, with his strengths being very important in the NBA.
Cisse’s is somewhat similar to players like Neeimas Queta and Moussa Diabete, who are both high energy big men who dominate the offensive glass. Cisse slots in perfectly as a third center within a rotation; not relied upon to close, but able to give a team solid minutes throughout the season. And if he takes a large leap offensively, he could even become a true starting quality center.
Grade: B+
Moussa Cisse was able to showcase real potential this season, and with his strengths becoming sought after league wide, the Mavericks should bring him back.
Cisse should be cheap, with him being able to fill in Dwight Powell’s role if he decides to retire.
No matter the future, it was fun to watch a young player like Cisse find a role in the NBA.
OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA - MAY 05: Austin Reaves #15 of the Los Angeles Lakers drives around Cason Wallace #22 of the Oklahoma City Thunder during the third quarter in Game One of the Second Round of the NBA Western Conference Playoffs at Paycom Center on May 05, 2026 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. (Photo by Joshua Gateley/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Game 1 against the Thunder was the biggest game of the season for the Lakers, and Austin Reaves didn’t show up.
He was historically bad, shooting 3-16 from the field, which was the worst shooting night a Laker has had in a postseason in over three decades.
Austin Reaves' 18.8 FG% in Game 1 was the lowest by any Laker in a playoff game over the last 35 years (min. 15 FGA) 😳 pic.twitter.com/1o97wPL1tq
It’s just one game, and there can be plenty of reasonable reasons why Reaves had a bad performance.
For starters, the Thunder have the best defense in the NBA, so they make plenty of players look bad. Also, he is still just coming off his Grade 2 oblique strain. He returned for Game 5 against the Rockets, and while he’s now played in three matchups, it’s unlikely that he is anywhere close to 100%.
However, if fans expect Reaves to make excuses, he isn’t taking that option.
“Nobody cares about that,” Reaves said after the loss. “I got to go out there and play better.”
The good news is, Reaves has plenty of ways to improve. He can focus on protecting the ball and not having four turnovers as he did in Game 1, or he can just get back to his regular-season average offensively, scoring 23.3 points per game.
“Obviously, the easy thing is to make more shots,” Reaves said. “I got to my spots multiple times and just missed a couple of easy shots. But, for the most part, got to limit the turnovers. They pressure the ball really well. Just got to give us an opportunity to get a shot on goal each possession.”
In a seven-game series, players typically perform what their averages are. So, Reaves should have better games ahead of him.
“Watch film,” Reaves said. “See what the game gives you and learn from that and move on. It’s not going to do us any good to think about that.”
Reaves will have all eyes on him after this loss.
He is currently LA’s No.1 offensive option and didn’t play like it. He has to be better, and Reaves, to his credit, made it clear in his comments that he’s well aware of this.
If he is the franchise player everyone thinks he is and wants the big payday this summer, then the response from him will be a great Game 2 performance.
And the Lakers will be hoping for just that, or else this series will be a short one.
The NBA still plans to launch NBA Europe in the fall of 2027, but as negotiations with potential partners get serious, sticking points have emerged around players moving from the NBA to Europe and, of course, money. Specifically, the franchise fees teams will pay and the revenue distribution from the new league have led to friction, all things Joe Varden detailed at The Athletic.
The headline-grabber was the request for a soccer-style transfer window in the new basketball league. In that proposed window, it's not a trade of players while teams try to navigate a salary cap (like the NBA and other American sports leagues), it's a purchase of a player's contract — and the league's new potential partners want to be able to purchase NBA players' deals. Varden at The Athletic lays out this scenario.
Imagine it: A rich, powerful, proper football conglomerate overseas starts a basketball team. It picks up the phone and dials the Milwaukee Bucks, who, for the sake of argument, are having a rough season. The club says, hey, here’s a couple hundred million dollars, or whatever it may cost, how about Giannis Antetokounmpo coming to play for us in NBA Europe?
The NBA quickly and emphatically said no to this idea. Multiple times. It wants the leagues to be separate entities, and while players can jump from the NBA to Europe as free agents, the league doesn't want that kind of in-season movement. The NBA might envision something more akin to the MLS in soccer, where some older stars from European leagues come stateside and earn paychecks for a few more years.
The kind of investors the NBA wants in Europe — powerhouse soccer programs (which the NBA also needs for the built-in fan bases), or very deep-pocketed investors such as public or sovereign wealth funds — appeared to pause at the idea of essentially investing in a minor league, as one anonymous source told Varden.
"There are restrictions on NBA Europe teams acquiring players from the U.S. unless they're free agents, and that obviously reduces the competitiveness of the NBA Europe project. It becomes a feeder league, which is not what anyone particularly wants."
Of course, the bigger issues are about money. It's always about the money.
What the NBA envisions is a 16-team league with 12 permanent members and four teams that earn their way in through play in their domestic leagues (if that sounds a lot like the proposed soccer "super league" of a few years back, which died amid intense fan backlash, you're not wrong). The teams in that league would pay a licensing fee to be part of NBA Europe — with the fee pricing would be on a sliding scale based on market size — and would split the revenue from the league with the NBA.
All of which has led to two sticking points.
One is the licensing fees — teams are being asked to pay a fee and make major infrastructure upgrades (one of the ways the NBA believes European clubs leave money on the table is a lack of modern arenas and amenities). The sliding scale appears to have offended the sensibilities of some potential European partners.
"Why should one pay less or more than the other — there should be some coherence around the valuations," the representative for a potential NBA Europe said.
Another issue is the revenue split. A source told Varden the league proposed a 52%-48% split, with the larger share going to the NBA, but the NBA itself denied that. The NBA said it would invest its share of the revenue back into its European league until such a time as it turned a profit, and at that point NBA owners would take a percentage of that. All those percentages are still to be worked out.
All of this is to say that while the NBA is moving full-speed ahead toward a 2027 launch of NBA Europe, there is still a lot of work to be done and investors to convince. It likely gets done, but who is involved and exactly what this will look like remains up in the air.
INGLEWOOD, CA - MARCH 21: Head Coach Taylor Jenkins of the Memphis Grizzlies looks on during the game against the LA Clippers on March 21, 2025 at Intuit Dome 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 2025 NBAE (Photo by Juan Ocampo/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The Taylor Jenkins era officially began this afternoon, as the Bucks formally introduced him to a crowd of fans, media, and a few players, including Myles Turner, Bobby Portis, and AJ Green, at the Milwaukee Art Museum. The 16th head coach in franchise history (not including interim head coaches like Joe Prunty) was flanked by general manager Jon Horst and co-governor Jimmy Haslem, and the trio covered several topics, including Giannis’ situation, the hiring process for Jenkins, and their plans for the NBA draft.
The Latest on Giannis
Anytime anyone from the front office or coaching staff speaks, the topic of Giannis is undoubtedly bound to be raised. The biggest bit of news regarding the two-time MVP came from Haslem, who said he doesn’t know whether Giannis will stay and that they’ll have conversations with him to figure it out.
“We never had any problem communicating directly with Giannis at all. We always knew where he stood, and I think he always knew where we stood. We’ve had those kinds of conversations since the season was over, and as I said, the draft is June 23, so sometime over the next six or seven weeks, we’ll decide whether Giannis will sign a max contract and stay with us or he’s gonna play somewhere else. Jon, Taylor, Wes (Edens), and I will make that call, and we understand the gravity of that call.”
Regarding Jenkins’s hiring, Horst said Giannis was not involved in bringing him to Milwaukee. There might be some doubt about that answer, though, with Giannis in the city during the same week, a reported meeting between Jenkins and the Bucks front office was taking place. Bobby Portis also chimed in, saying he doesn’t believe Giannis wasn’t involved either. Whether that is true or not, Jenkins did confirm that he has talked to Giannis and the rest of the Bucks roster since his hiring became official.
“Great communication with Giannis, he’s expressed tremendous excitement for me and my family. Even only being here for one season, he and I established a really good relationship and maintained that respect even from a distance. It’s been amazing to be able to communicate with all of these guys, over the phone, and now in person. So yes, I’ve had conversations with Giannis, but I’ve been able to touch base with the entire roster.”
Why Jenkins, and what does he bring to the table?
Right from the get-go, the Bucks were laser-focused on bringing in Jenkins, with Horst even saying that this was all about hiring him. They did have a list of candidates, but Horst said that the first step of their process was to reach out to Jenkins and then go from there. As for why Jenkins opted to take up the helm, it was all about people for him.
“Obviously, I know Jon, for many years now, so I have high regard and respect for him, not just professionally, but also personally. As I got to spend time with Jimmy and Wes, intimately at our home it became very clear these are individuals that I want to partner with. I’m obviously very familiar with many other members of the Bucks organization, so when this opportunity became available, I was like, I know the people, I know what they stand for, I know what their standards are going to be on a day-to-day basis.”
Jenkins spent a year out of coaching after being fired by the Grizzlies toward the end of the 2024–25 season. During that time, Jenkins not only spent more time with his family but also studied a ton of different teams across the association. When it came to the Bucks, in his eyes, there were some things they he liked quite a bit.
“A lot of it was to grow as a basketball coach, but when I did tune in on the Bucks, and especially when they said we [the Bucks front office] want to spend time with you and I dove in deeper, I love the depth of this team. Even in small sample sizes, not just seeing the amazing talent, but there’s a competitive nature there and that’s what I want to unlock even more.”
“When we talk about building a culture and identity, those aren’t just loose terms that we’re gonna throw out there, it’s going to be the embodiment of who these guys are and as coaches, who we are as teachers. I can’t wait to unlock even more, the versatility both offensively and defensively.”
The Bucks have struggled to find any identity since they fired Jenkins’ former boss, Mike Budenholzer. The cultures that Jenkins’ two predecessors tried to build didn’t work out well. Especially under Rivers, there was no clear picture of what kind of team Milwaukee would be. There was also a lack of accountability, with Doc at times deflecting blame and responsibility onto the players. Based on what Jenkins said about how he wants to start his culture with the Bucks, it’s a breath of much-needed fresh air.
“In my time in Memphis, my mentality was always ‘we’re building something.‘ We’re trying daily to get better and that’s me. If I’m going to lead the charge here with these guys up here [points to Horst and Haslem] I’ve got to look in the mirror first and figure out how I’m going to get better every single day, because I want them to feel that from me. It’s the day-in, day-out working and living together that I’m going to make top priority number one and that’s what we’re doing right now. I want (the players) to know I’m going to be on them from the get-go and how we’re going to build this together.”
Plans for the NBA Draft
With four days until the NBA Draft lottery, the Bucks currently have the 10th-best odds of winning the lottery (though that pick would go to Atlanta in a swap). It will be the first time Horst, in his tenure as GM, has a lottery selection, with his previous highest picks at no. 17 in 2017 and 2018, selecting forward D.J. Wilson and guard Donte DiVincenzo, respectively. Horst discussed the excitement about this selection and potential plans for its use.
“There’s a lot of exciement for what it can do for the orginzation, this oppurtunity represents Taylor talked about, to add a player to our roster who can make a big impact quickly. It’s also an oppurtunity to have an asset that we can consider using to build the team another way. I think the position we’re in, wether it ends up being two or it ends up being 11, it’s going to be important having that asset no matter what. It’s really exciting to go through that process. Taylor and I we’re just talking about on the way over here, to say we’re going to be very intentional about the person.”
As for the kind of player they will bring in, whether it’s a draftee or a trade, Jenkins said that they are still having meetings on how they’re going to build this team and the style of play that they want. Yet Jenkins echoed Horst’s sentiment about bringing in the right type of person to the organization.
“I watched a fair amount of college basketball and acutally a little of international basketball as well, over the course of last season. We’re having meetings on-going right now in coming weeks as Jimmy said to sit down and talk about what is the vision, what is the playstyle, what are the type of people we want to bring into this orginzation to represent this city. Those are ongoing dialogues, I’m getting emails left and right, getting downloads on players and I’m excited about that. I can’t put a crystal ball out there and say this is going to be the person who we’re targeting, we’re doing our due diligence to study every part of the player and the person because we want this to be an important addition to a great roster. We want to get this right.”
What did you think of what Jenkins, Horst, and Haslem had to say? Do you think that Jenkins can turn the Bucks’ ship around? Let us know in the comments below.
NEW YORK (AP) — Mitchell Robinson did not play for the New York Knicks on Wednesday night in Game 2 against Philadelphia because of an illness, leaving each team without a center.
The 76ers ruled Joel Embiid out earlier Wednesday with a sprained right ankle and a sore right hip. The Knicks added their backup center to the injury report later in the day and said shortly before tipoff that he wouldn't play.
Robinson is a key for the Knicks because of his offensive rebounding and defense, along with giving them the ability to use a big lineup when he plays alongside All-Star center Karl-Anthony Towns.
Robinson has made an incredible 17 of 19 shots (89.5%) in seven games thus far in the postseason, averaging 5.6 points and 5.1 rebounds in just 13.6 minutes per game. He is a poor free-throw shooter, going just 5 for 17 thus far, and the 76ers intentionally fouled him twice in the first quarter of Game 1. Robinson missed all four shots.
May 4, 2026; New York, New York, USA; New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson (11) talks to center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) during the fourth quarter of game one of the eastern conference semifinal round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs against the Philadelphia 76ers at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images | Brad Penner-Imagn Images
Tonight, the New York Knicks (1-0) host the Philadelphia 76ers (0-1) at Madison Square Garden in Game Two of the Eastern Conference semifinals. New York obliterated Philly in Game One and can seize firm control of the series with another win at the Mecca. The Sixers have too much talent and pride to roll over and die, so they’re sure to come out swinging tonight. As of this writing Joel Embiid is listed as probable for Philadelphia (ankle). The Knicks appear to be fully healthy.
Game’s at 7 p.m. EST on ESPN. This is your game thread. This is Liberty Ballers. Please don’t post large photos, GIFs, or links to illegal streams in the thread. Show those Philly fans what good behavior looks like. And go Knicks!
DETROIT, MI - MAY 5: Evan Mobley #4 of the Cleveland Cavaliers dribbles the ball during the game against the Detroit Pistons during Round Two Game One of the 2026 NBA Playoffs on May 5, 2026 at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan. 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 Brian Sevald/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The Cleveland Cavaliers had plenty of chances to steal Game 1 against the Detroit Pistons, but careless turnovers, an inability to secure defensive rebounds, questionable coaching, and overall bad offensive process kept them from doing so. Whether or not they can turn around will determine how this series goes.
Winning Game 2 will be tough. J.B. Bickerstaff-led teams are 5-1 in the playoffs. The lone Game 2 loss came when he was leading James Harden and the Houston Rockets in 2016.
Cleveland hopes to break that trend in Game 2. Heading back to Cleveland down 2-0 would mean they would have to win four of the last five games of the series. That isn’t an impossible task, but far from ideal.
Overall, the Cavs have struggled on the road in the playoffs. Since trading for Donovan Mitchell, they’re just 4-12 away from Cleveland. That trend needs to end if they want to make a deep postseason run.
Anything bought from the links helps support Fear the Sword. You can also shop all of Homage’s Cavs gear HERE. The link to the 2016 championship shirt HERE.
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
The team released its injury report ahead of their next contest, listing Jarred Vanderbilt as doubtful and Luke Kennard as questionable.
Jarred Vanderbilt is doubtful to play in Game 2 against the Thunder and Luke Kennard is also on the injury report listed as questionable for this contest. Given how severe that Vando injury looked it's amazing he isn't automatically ruled out. pic.twitter.com/vbWxuGDCSU
For Vando, not being automatically ruled out is actually good news.
He suffered a gruesome injury in Game 1 when he dislocated his right pinky finger on a failed block attempt. This wasn’t a typical dislocation as his bone poked through the skin, causing the forward to scream in agony while the Thunder bench looked away in shock.
The Lakers’ medical staff deserves a ton of credit for treating Vando quickly and getting him into a situation where he is not automatically ruled out.
The surprise from this injury report, though, is the inclusion of Kennard.
He is a key rotational player for the Lakers, and this is the first time we are hearing about neck discomfort for the guard. The Lakers need all the help they can get to beat the defending champs. If he can’t play, that is a huge blow.
Kennard is questionable, so we’ll have to wait until closer to game time to see if he’s upgraded to available. If he can’t play, then players like Bronny James and Nick Smith Jr. will have to step up in his absence.
Luka Dončić remains out, but he spoke with the media and provided an update on his health.
If he doesn’t come back before then, Los Angeles will have to play the entire series against OKC without their best player.
If that happens, then LeBron James will have to be magnificent, and Austin Reaves will have to play a whole lot better so that they can extend the season long enough for Dončić to play again.
May 4, 2026; San Antonio, Texas, USA; San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama (1) drives in against the Minnesota Timberwolves in the second half during game one of the second round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Frost Bank Center. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Dunn-Imagn Images | Daniel Dunn-Imagn Images
Here are the NBA playoff games for Wednesday, May 6, 2026:
Philadelphia 76ers at New York Knicks — 7 p.m. ET (ESPN)
Minnesota Timberwolves at San Antonio Spurs — 9:30 p.m. ET (ESPN)
NEW YORK (AP) — Nick Nurse rejoined the Philadelphia 76ers after attending his brother's funeral, saying Wednesday that Steve Nurse was a fan who would want him at Game 2 of the Eastern Conference semifinals.
Nurse was in Ankeny, Iowa, on Tuesday, the day between the first two games of the series against the Knicks in New York.
"I mean, kind of the film and the practice and the game and all that stuff kind of takes care of some time, right?" Nurse said before the game. “But I’m here coaching and my brother would expect me to be. He was a huge fan. He wants us to go play, he wants us to play hard, so that’s what we’re going to try to do tonight.”
Steve Nurse died unexpectedly at age 62 last Wednesday. Nick Nurse had remained with the 76ers as they rallied from a 3-1 deficit to knock off Boston in the first round, then fell to the Knicks 137-98 on Monday.
Nick Nurse said he and his family had received a lot of support, thanking opposing coach Mike Brown for offering his condolences when he began his news conference after the Knicks practiced Tuesday.
