I've rediscovered the NBA in recent days. Not because NBC has returned to the roster of NBA broadcast partners (which doesn't hurt), but because Victor Wembanyama is the most exciting and unique basketball talent since, in my own personal view, Michael Jordan.
As a result, I've been paying closer attention to the NBA. It was hard to miss the ridiculous remarks made by Cavaliers coach Kenny Atkinson after Cleveland fell behind 3-0 in the Eastern Conference Finals. While watching the second half of Monday night's blowout loss to complete the Knicks sweep, I made a simple observation on Twitter: "When is Game 5 in the analytical Eastern Conference Finals?"
I didn't expect anything to come of it. But then, out of nowhere, they used the tweet on Inside The NBA. Complete with the Shaq seal of approval: "Good job, ProFootballTalk. That was funny right there."
The moment (which I missed live because I decided to watch the NHL game) was a big one for me. My son loves that show, and he has sent me multiple clips over the years that have brought both of us to tears. We both appreciate the humor (especially when Charles Barkley sends Shaq into a laughing-coughing fit), the authenticity, the free-wheeling, no-effs-given style. As evidenced by their recent decision to jump with both feet on a potential NFL third rail.
So I'm back on board with the NBA, after years of not really paying much (or any) attention to it. Given that I've got strong opinions about tanking and flopping, that may not be a good thing for the current stewards of the game. Regardless, I'll be watching the rest of the ongoing postseason games, even if the Spurs don't advance to the Finals.
Next season, any Wemby game will be appointment viewing. And maybe it'll spill over to other games — especially the ones on NBC.
Regardless, the horizons are re-broadening. Basketball is back on the viewing menu. Wemby buried the hook, and Inside The NBA reeled me in.
PHOENIX, ARIZONA - : Nick U'Ren of the Phoenix Mercury announces Nate Tibbetts as the team's new head coach on October 20, 2023, at the Footprint Center in Phoenix, Arizona. 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 2023 NBAE (Photo by Barry Gossage / NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Think of an imaginary basketball team — good, but not good enough to make serious noise in the postseason. Not bad enough to have a realistic shot at a top draft pick. A few stars on the roster, but most of them on the wrong side of 30 and headed quickly into the twilight of their careers.
There’s a good chance the Philadelphia 76ers just crossed your mind. They fit the bill — talented but inconsistent, never quite reliable enough for a deep postseason run, with Joel Embiid and Paul George aging out of their primes. But the team I’m describing isn’t the 76ers. It’s not even an NBA team. It’s the WNBA’s Phoenix Mercury, from 2022 to 2024.
Fresh off a Finals appearance, the Mercury lost in the first round in 2022, missed the postseason entirely in 2023, and flamed out in the first round again in 2024. The aging stars in question were Brittney Griner, Skylar Diggins-Smith and Diana Taurasi.
The decline was swift. After the 2022-23 season, Diggins-Smith departed entirely following a maternity leave dispute that ended with her being cut off from team facilities and services. Griner and Taurasi remained, but Griner was 32 and coming off an enormously difficult year after being detained in Russia. Taurasi had hit 40 and wasn’t getting any younger. Change was needed, and it came.
The Mercury parted ways with head coach Vanessa Nygaard. Long-time GM Jim Pitman announced his resignation. In came new head coach Nate Tibbetts, and on the front office side, Nick U’Ren — a name most people outside of the Golden State Warriors organization had never heard.
On the contrary, if you were around the Warriors organization, U’Ren was hard to miss. He rapidly rose through the ranks, starting his pro basketball career in Phoenix, where he grew up, spending five years with the Suns and Mercury beginning in 2009. He held roles as Suns Director of Video Operations and Mercury Head Video Coordinator before joining the Warriors in 2014 as a special assistant to head coach Steve Kerr.
He later transitioned into the front office, serving as Director of Basketball Operations from 2018 before being promoted to Executive Director of Basketball Operations in 2021. He held that role until leaving for the Mercury in 2023, having been part of four championship teams.
One of U’Ren’s more publicly memorable moments came early in his Warriors tenure, during the 2015 NBA Finals. To set the stage: the Warriors were down 2-1 to Cleveland, and LeBron James had essentially turned the series into a game of 1-on-1. The Cavs were walking the ball up the court and swarming Curry every time he touched it, grinding Golden State’s offense to a halt.
So U’Ren got to work. According to Sports Illustrated, the night after Game 3 he pulled up footage of the previous year’s Finals between the Spurs and Heat, where Gregg Popovich had benched his starting center in favor of a smaller lineup and flipped a deadlocked series into a rout. U’Ren saw the parallel, called assistant coach Luke Walton, and proposed pulling center Andrew Bogut — who had started 65 games that season — for Andre Iguodala, who had started none. Walton was sold. At 3 a.m. he texted Kerr. Kerr liked it enough that he lied to reporters in his pregame press conference, telling them nothing was changing so Cleveland couldn’t prepare.
The Warriors blew out the Cavaliers 103-82 in Game 4. Kerr was asked about the lineup change after the win and publicly named U’Ren on the spot. Per Yahoo Sports, Kerr said, “He’s behind the bench, he’s 28 years old, he’s a kid. We have a staff that is very cooperative. Whoever has the idea, it doesn’t matter. And he brought me the idea.” U’Ren, characteristically, deflected the credit right back. “Steve deserves all of the credit because he has to live and die with the consequences,” he said. “It’s easy to make a suggestion, but he has to make a decision.”
Golden State won the next two games and took the championship. Iguodala won Finals MVP.
The Warriors, under Bob Myers and alongside U’Ren, would go on to win four championships. Two of them came with Kevin Durant in the fold. The fourth and final one came in 2022, with Golden State defeating the Boston Celtics on the back of an aging but battle-tested core of Curry, Thompson and Green.
The Warriors were the gold standard. And U’Ren was about to inherit something very different in Phoenix. A franchise that didn’t need a tune-up. It needed a full rebuild.
His first order of business was hiring Tibbetts, the highest-paid coach in WNBA history at the time of his signing. From there, U’Ren got to work rebuilding the roster. He traded for 2021 WNBA Finals MVP Kahleah Copper, giving up the third overall pick to pry her from the Chicago Sky, and signed point guard Natasha Cloud in free agency. Taurasi played her final season in 2024 before retiring.
Then came his signature move. In February 2025, U’Ren orchestrated what is considered the largest trade in WNBA history by number of assets moved. A four-team, 13-player deal that landed him five-time All-Star Alyssa Thomas and two-time All-Star Satou Sabally.
The same day the trade was announced, Griner made it official — she was leaving for the Atlanta Dream. One era ended and another began on the same afternoon. U’Ren had seen it coming from day one: “When I took the job and canvassed the landscape of the league in terms of talent that might be available, [Sabally] was a name we focused on for obvious reasons.”
Thomas was coming off her 10th season with the Connecticut Sun, bringing with her five All-Star selections, three All-WNBA nods, six All-Defensive team selections, and the all-time WNBA record for triple-doubles. She was in the MVP race in five consecutive seasons. The two-way star was heading West, and U’Ren had built a quality roster around her.
Copper, already in place from the 2024 season, went on to have an All-Star campaign. Sabally arrived alongside Thomas in the trade and immediately became a cornerstone of the offense. The work on the margins was just as sharp. U’Ren had brought Natasha Mack back to the league in 2024 after she hadn’t played a WNBA game since 2021. Playing alongside Thomas in 2025, Mack had the best season of her career, averaging 4.7 points, 5.8 rebounds, 1.5 blocks and 0.9 steals while shooting 57.3 percent from the floor in just 18.3 minutes per game. Then midseason, U’Ren landed DeWanna Bonner, a two-time WNBA champion and six-time All-Star, after she parted ways with the Indiana Fever.
The Mercury finished the 2025 regular season 27-17, good for second in the Western Conference and the fourth seed overall heading into the playoffs. It was their best regular season since 2014, when they won a franchise-best 29 games.
Their reward for that finish was a first-round matchup against the fifth-seeded New York Liberty, the defending champions. They dropped Game 1 at home in overtime, then responded with back-to-back wins to take the series 2-1 and send the defending champions home.
The semifinals brought a stiffer test. Phoenix drew the top-seeded Minnesota Lynx, who had tied the WNBA record with 34 regular-season wins. The Mercury lost Game 1 by 13. What followed was one of the more remarkable stretches of the playoffs. They came back from 20 down on the road in Game 2 to tie the record for the largest road comeback in WNBA playoff history. They won a controversial Game 3 at home. Then in Game 4, trailing by 14 in the first quarter and 13 entering the fourth, the Mercury closed out the series 86-81 to advance.
The WNBA Finals awaited. For the first time in league history, it would be a best-of-seven series. Standing in their way were the second-seeded Las Vegas Aces, who had gone 16-0 to close the regular season and were chasing their third championship in four years. The Mercury’s run ended there. The Aces swept them in four games, including a gut-punch Game 3 where A’ja Wilson hit a game-winner with 0.3 seconds left.
While the Mercury didn’t win a championship, they accomplished one of the more remarkable turnarounds in recent league history. They went from a franchise with little direction to a Finals appearance within the span of a few seasons. Building that kind of team isn’t easy in any league.
Mercury president Vince Kozar put it plainly: “Nick and Nate have rebuilt this team from the ground up. There are no players on this roster from the last time we made the finals in 2021, or even from 2023. So everyone who is here has been hand-picked to be here and has hand-picked us.”
That forward thinking hasn’t stopped. This season saw U’Ren make another creative move, signing Jovana Nogić, a 28-year-old Serbian guard who built one of the stronger international resumes in European basketball playing across the globe. Her most recent stop came with UMMC Ekaterinburg in Russia’s Premier Basketball League, where she posted a three-point rate of over 60 percent on 42 percent shooting from beyond the arc, drew fouls at a steady rate, and averaged 2.5 steals per 40 possessions.
The WNBA rookie label didn’t tell the full story. In her debut she scored 19 points on 62.5 percent shooting, going 4-of-5 from three and a perfect 5-of-5 from the free throw line, adding four assists and two steals in 21 minutes. Days later she scored a career-best 27 points, 11 of which came from the free throw line. Sabally has since moved on, signing with the New York Liberty after the Finals run. But it’s moves like Nogić that have kept the Mercury in the conversation and given the roster genuine upside heading forward.
It’s reminiscent of the organization U’Ren came from. A semi-recent example would be when Bob Myers used the 55th pick on Brazilian forward Gui Santos — an international talent few had heard of — and watched him grow into a legitimate starter earning a $15 million extension.
After digging into his history, it makes sense that U’Ren has emerged as a candidate for the Sixers’ president of basketball operations position. The history with Myers is there, but he’s also built a track record entirely on his own.
Bob Myers told The Athletic what made U’Ren stand out: “He’s seen a lot of winning. He cares. He was very, very studious. How many people worked on a bench and in the front office? I think it’s kind of a rare combo. So it gives them a great understanding of an organization, how it operates. There’s an authenticity to him that makes him someone people want to follow. And he’s very humble. It’s really been an awesome kind of validation of his process.”
Time will tell if U’Ren gets the job with the Sixers, or if he’s the right candidate at all. But one thing is for certain: he’s earned a look.
In a pivotal Game 5 of the NBA Western Conference Finals, the Oklahoma City Thunder and San Antonio Spurs will face off tonight on on NBC and Peacock.
The top two seeds in the West have split the first four games of the series. When a best-of-seven series is tied
2-2, the winner of Game 5 has advanced 81.8% of the time (198-44).
In Game 5s with a -2 tie in their franchise histories, Oklahoma City is 10-8 (.556), and San Antonio is 14-10 (.583).
With a 3-2 lead, Oklahoma City is 12-2 (.857) in best-of-seven series, but the Thunder are 3-11 (.214) after they fall behind 3-2. They've won three series in such scenarios: the 2014 West first round against Memphis, the 1980 West semifinals vs. Milwaukee (as Seattle) and the 1979 West Finals vs Phoenix.
Oklahoma City won last year's NBA championship over the Indiana Pacers after the series was tied 2-2.
San Antonio is 17-3 (.850) all-time with a 3-2 series lead in a best-of-seven series, but the Spurs are 1-13 (.071) after falling behind 3-2. San Antonio's only comeback from a 3-2 deficit was in the 2008 Western Conference Semifinals over the Hornets.
This marks only the fourth time since 2011 that the Western Conference Finals have been tied 2-2 and the first time since 2018 when Golden State went on to beat Houston 4-3 en route to a championship.
See below for additional information on the Spurs-Thunder game and how to watch the 2026 NBA Playoffs on NBC and Peacock.
Announcing team: Mike Tirico (play by play), Reggie Miller (analyst), Jamal Crawford(analyst), Zora Stephenson (courtside reporter) and Ashley ShahAhmadi(courtside reporter).
San Antonio Spurs vs. Oklahoma City Thunder, Game 5 preview:
Superstar center Victor Wembanyama has been the key in both of the Spurs' wins. The First-Team All-NBA selection scored a game-high 33 points with eight rebounds, five assists, three blocks and two steals in the Game 4 victory, which was Wembanyama fourth playoff game with at least 30 points.
Wembanyama is averaging 30.3 ppg and 13.3 rpg in the series, becoming one of three players in NBA playoff history to average at least 30 points and 10 rebounds in the first four conference finals games of their career (joining Hakeem Olajuwon in 1986 and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar in 1970).
His most impressive shot in Game 4 was a halfcourt swish at the the halftime buzzer. "I was just thinking, 'Shoot to score,'" Wembanyama said. "I wasn't messing around at halftime."
The Spurs have an average scoring margin of plus-12.5 points with Wembanyama and are minus-11.5 without him on the floor.
“He felt — not speaking for him, but from my perspective — an obligation to set a tone for us in a variety of ways," Spurs head coach Mitch Johnson said. "He wants that responsibility, and he’s built for it.”
Injuries rermain a concern for the Thunder, who have listed Ajay Mitchell as out with a right calf strain. Star wingman Jalen Williams will be questionable with a left hamstring strain.
Oklahoma City is coming off a Game 4 loss of being held to 82 points, which is the fewest for the team in a single game since Dec. 2, 2021 (when the Thunder lost 152-79 to the Grizzlies ,a 73-point loss that is the largest loss in NBA history).
The Thunder's 82 points were were also their fewest in a playoff game since Aug. 29, 2020. Oklahoma City hasn't been held under 100 pts in back-to-back games since Feburary 2022, the longest active streak in the NBA. Oklahoma City will need to improve its shooting after making 33% of shots from the field and 18.2% from 3-poit range i Game, both of which were their worst shooting percentages in a single game this season.
"I thought we left a lot to be desired on that end of the floor tonight," Okklahoma City head coach Mark Daigneault said. "We didn’t have the sharpness, force or precision necessary to crack them. And they were really good defensively with just their energy and their physicality.”
No Thunder player scored more than 20 points for the second time in the playoffs. Two-time MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was held under 20 points after no games with fewer than 20 points during the regular season.
“We’ve got to do a better job of starting the games," Gilegous-Alexander said. "Obviously it’s a little more challenging on the road, and we know that, but we’ve got to go out there and do it."
How to watch the Western Conference Finals on NBC and Peacock:
NBC Sports will present the San Antonio Spurs vs. the Oklahoma City Thunder in the Western Conference Finals. All games will be broadcast on NBC and Peacock. Here is the series schedule:
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The NBA’s Western Conference Final is tied at two games apiece as the series moves back to Oklahoma City for tonight’s Game 5 between the Thunder and the San Antonio Spurs.
Victor Wembanyama and the Spurs dominated Game 4 to even the series Sunday evening. Wemby’s stat line illustrated that dominance: 33 points, 8 rebounds, 5 assists, and 3 blocks. A definite factor in that dominance, though, was the absence of Ajay Mitchell (calf)and Jalen Williams (hamstring) for OKC. That said, this is now a Best-of-3 series.
Those injuries have forced Shai Gilgeous-Alexander into heavier ball‑handling duties and limiting his off‑ball effectiveness. In Games 3 and 4, SGA shot a combined 12‑for‑32, a sign of how effectively San Antonio has disrupted his usual flow. The OKC offense has seemed a little clunky as a result. The Thunder’s bench—normally a major strength—also struggled in Game 4, posting a collective -9.4 after previously leading the postseason in bench scoring. Couple their bench woes with San Antonio’s starting five outscoring OKC’s starters by an average of 31.7 points in the series—and you can see why the Spurs have momentum heading back on the road.
The difference in what is now a Best of 3 may well be which Chet Holmgren shows up. He has shot 58.8% in OKC’s wins but only 33.3% in their losses. His efficiency and his involvement looking to score makes a difference.
Lets take a closer look at tonight’s matchup and take into consideration lineups, injuries, and other factors affecting the line and total.
We’ve got all the info and analysis you need to know ahead of the game, including the latest info on how to catch tipoff, odds courtesy of DraftKings recent team performance, player stats, and of course, our predictions, picks best bets for the game from our modeling tools and staff of experts.
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Game Details and How to Watch Game 5 Live: Thunder vs. Spurs
Date: Tuesday, May 26, 2026
Time: 8:30PM EST
Site: Paycom Center
City: Oklahoma City, OK
Network/Streaming: NBC/Peacock
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Game 5 Odds: Thunder vs. Spurs
The latest odds as of Tuesday courtesy of DraftKings:
Moneyline: Oklahoma City Thunder (-198), San Antonio Spurs (+164)
Spread: Thunder -5.5
Total: 216.5 points
This game opened Thunder -5.5 with the Game Total set at 215.5.
Be sure to check out DraftKings for all the latest game odds & player props for every matchup this week on the NBA schedule!
Expected Starting Lineups for Game 5: Thunder vs. Spurs
Oklahoma City Thunder
PG Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
SG Cason Wallace
C Isaiah Hartenstein
SF Luguentz Dort
PF Chet Holmgren
San Antonio Spurs
PG De’Aaron Fox
SG Devin Vassell
SG Stephon Castle
PF Julian Champagnie
C Victor Wembanyama
Injury Report: Thunder vs. Spurs
Oklahoma City Thunder
Thomas Sorber (knee) has been declared OUT of tonight’s game
Ajay Mitchel (calf) has been declared OUT of tonight’s game
Jalen Williams (hamstring) is listed as questionable for tonight’s game
San Antonio Spurs
David Jones Garcia (ankle) has been declared OUT for tonight’s game
Important stats, trends and insights: Thunder vs. Spurs
The Thunder are 39-8 at home this season
The Spurs are 34-14 on the road this season
The Spurs are 55-41-2 ATS this season
OKC is 46-47-1 ATS this season
The OVER has cashed in 53 of the Thunder’s 94 games this season (53-41)
The OVER has cashed in 45 of the Spurs’ 98 games this season (45-53)
Alex Caruso took just 1 shot in Game 4 after averaging over 8 per game through the series' first 3 games
Jared McCain was 1-10 from the field in Game 4 after shooting 17-41 in the first 3 games of the series.
After turning the ball over 19 games in the first 2 games of the series, Stephon Castle has committed just 2 the last 2 games.
De’Aaron Fox has 17 rebounds and 11 assists over the last 2 games
Rotoworld Best Bet
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Our model calculates projections around each moneyline, spread and over/under bet for every game on the NBA calendar based on data points like recent performance, head-to-head player matchups, trends information and projected game totals.
Once the model is finished running, we put its projections next to the latest betting lines for the game to arrive at a relative confidence level for each wager.
Here are the best bets our model is projecting for tonight’s Thunder and Spurs’ game:
Moneyline: Rotoworld Bet is staying away from a play on the Moneyline
Spread: Rotoworld Bet is leaning towards a play on the Spurs +5.5
Total: Rotoworld Bet is leaning towards a play on the Game Total OVER 216.5
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BROOKLYN, NEW YORK - MAY 08: A general view outside the arena prior to the season opener between the New York Liberty and the Connecticut Sun at Barclays Center on May 08, 2026 in the Brooklyn borough of 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 Ishika Samant/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The NBA Finals begin Wednesday in either San Antonio or Oklahoma City, then return to New York for the first time since 1999 the Monday after that. It will be a raucous time in the city, with celebrities jockeying for air time and masters of the universe sucking up any ticket at any price.
In the meantime, while keeping one eye on MSG, Nets fans will be looking forward to an number of critical events for their team’s future, the Draft, free agency and two summer leagues. There are also some things still TBA, like the ground breaking for the Liberty training facility in Greenpoint and the Long Island Nets local workouts. As soon as we know, you’ll know.
—May 26: Coach of the Year announcement, Peacock, 7:30 p.m. ET. Will Jordi Fernandez get any votes?
—May 27: 11:59 p.m. ET. NCAA Early Entry Withdrawal Deadline. College underclassmen have until today to withdraw from the NBA Draft and retain their college eligibility. With a big disparity in terms of talent between the 2026 and 2027 drafts, some players might postpone their NBA career in hopes of getting taken higher in a weaker draft.
—June 3: NBA Finals 2026 – Game 1 on ABC, 8:30 p.m. ET
—June 1-17: WNBA Commissioner’s Cup tournament.
—June 5-7: Adidas Camp in Treviso, Italy, not far from Venice. The overseas equivalent of the NBA Combine. Not a big year for Euros.
—June 13: 6:00 p.m. ET. NBA Early Entry Withdrawal Deadline. Last date for international players to opt out of the 2026 Draft.
—June 19: NBA Finals 2026 – Game 7 if necessary. Last possible end date for Finals.
—June 20 or day after last finals game: Michael Porter Jr. eligible for a four-year $234 million extension starting in 2027-28. The final agreement is likely to be a bit smaller, but bigger than the $40.8 million he will make in 2026-27. One suggestion posed by Yossi Gozlan of capsheets.com and Bobby Marks of ESPN is a contract starting at round $49 million then decreasing over the course of four years, offering the Nets more flexibility with cap space going forward.
—Nic Claxton eligible for three-year, $95 million extension starting in 2027-28. Seems unlikely. Similarly, the Nets can start talking to other free agents.
—June 21: Sean Marks 48-hour trade window opens. Marks has made moves within 48 hours of the Draft nine times in his 10-year tenure as GM. No reason to think he won’t be active again this year.
—June 23-24: Draft night(s). June 23 for first round: June 24 for second round of the NBA Draft at Barclays Center. Nets currently have the Nos. 6, 33 and 43 picks.
—June 28: Deadline for Nets to exercise options on Day’Ron Sharpe and Ziaire Williams’ $6.25 million options, unless they’ve been extended.
—June 29: Deadline for Nets to exercise option on Josh Minott’s $2.5 million option, unless they’ve been extended.
—Last day for teams to make qualifying offers to players eligible for restricted free agency. In Nets case, this applies to Noah Clowney.
—June 30: Teams can begin negotiating with free agents from other clubs starting at 6:00 p.m. ET. Rumors of deals start to get reported at 6:01 p.m. ET. Nets are currently projected to have between $40 and $50 million in cap space entering free agency, likely in top two or three in the NBA.
—WNBA Commissioner’s Cup Championship
—July 1: Teams can begin signing players to one- or two-year minimum-salary contracts; teams can begin signing players to two-way contracts; teams can begin signing first-round picks to rookie scale contracts and second round picks to second-round pick exception.
—July 2: deadline for WNBA non-guaranteed deals to be guaranteed.
—July 4-6: California Classic Summer League in Sacramento. The Kings, Warriors, Nets and Bucks will compete. The Nets play back-to-back-to-back games with the first game vs. the Warriors at 5:00 p.m. ET on July 4. First look at whoever the Nets take in the 2026 Draft plus three games to measure how Flatbush 5 and others have progressed since end of the season.
—July 6: Free agent contracts can be signed, starting at 12:oo p.m. ET. The 24-hour period for matching a restricted free agent offer sheet begins at 12:00 p.m. as well. First day many complicated trades become official.
—July 13: Last day for teams to unilaterally withdraw qualifying offers to restricted free agents.
—July 9-19: NBA Summer League, Las Vegas. Minimum of five games. Schedule TBA.
—July 23-27: WNBA All-Star Weekend (Chicago)
—July 25: WNBA All-Star Game
—August 2: 3:00 p.m. ET. WNBA trade deadline.
—August 5: Last day for teams to issue required tenders to unsigned second-round picks.
—August 31 – September 16: FIBA World Cup break for WNBA players, coaches.
—September 24: Last day of WNBA regular season.
—September 27: WNBA Playoffs begin.
—September 30: Likely date for Nets Media Day.
—October 1: Terance Mann eligible for three-year, $72.6 million extension starting in 2027-28. Again, highly unlikely.
—Likely date for Nets training camp opening.
—October 14: Nets play preseason game vs. Heat at Kaseya Center, Miami. 7:30 p.m. ET. Only one scheduled so far.
The Boston Celtics took a chance on Luka Garza after he spent most of his career on the bench for the Minnesota Timberwolves. Boston had a serious lack of depth at the center position with a tight budget and a mostly uninspiring free agent pool to pull from. Garza was still unproven at the NBA level after four years in the league, and likely didn’t generate much buzz, but managed to earn the attention of Brad Stevens.
There was a mutual fit between the two parties – Garza was looking for a chance to have a meaningful role, and Boston was looking for a cheap way to add to their frontcourt. The expectations were low, so anything Luka was able to bring would be a positive.
Garza didn’t have a very special season by any numerical metrics compared to league standards, but he achieved career-highs in literally every major statistical category. He averaged 8.1 points, 4.1 rebounds, 1 assist, 0.4 steals, and 0.4 blocks, while having 57.7/43.3/65.7 shooting splits – all career highs. All this was done in 16.2 minutes per game, and 69 games played. The numbers probably won’t jump out, but they indicate that Luka was capable of playing a role, and playing it well, so long as he got the opportunity.
It was incredibly important for Garza to be playable for Boston this year. He wasn’t going to be the starter, but the Celtics needed solid minutes that they could rely on behind Neemias Queta, which Luka was able to provide. Even Neemi wasn’t a guaranteed starter, and had to prove himself in that role, which made Garza’s success even more critical, though Neemi did end up proving himself as well.
Luka had several electric moments throughout the season, hitting big threes in close games, battling for rebound after rebound, and even a timely block here and there. His game-winning three over the Orlando Magic in the final game of the season will live on in Celtics lore for a long time. More than anything, he impacted the game through his mindset and energy. In a season where you’re expecting role players to step up, it makes a massive difference.
Boston, MA – April 12: Boston Celtics center Luka Garza celebrates after hitting a late 3-pointer in the fourth quarter. The Celtics and Orlando Magic played at TD Garden on April 12, 2026. (Photo by Matthew J. Lee/The Boston Globe via Getty Images) | Boston Globe via Getty Images
Though, while the regular season can be considered a relative success for Luka, the playoffs were a different story. It was not entirely his fault – the rotations looked much different with Jayson Tatum and Nikola Vucevic back – but Luka was entirely unremarkable. He played in all seven of the Celtics playoff games against the Philadelphia 76ers, but only 8.4 minutes per game. Joe Mazzulla tightened his lineups and deferred to Vuc as the first big off the bench.
The Celtics frontcourt often found themselves in foul trouble, though, which forced the team to utilize more depth. Between that and garbage time, that’s where Luka saw most of his playing time. It makes it much harder to gauge his reliability. Compound that with the fact that he was primarily matched up with Joel Embiid, one of the most dominant physically imposing big men of the modern era (when healthy), and it was a recipe for disaster. Garza often saw himself played off the court, a stark difference from where he was in the regular season when the stakes were much lower.
Between seven games, Garza played around 60 total minutes. In that time, he averaged 4.4 points, 1.7 rebounds, and 0.9 assists on 50/30.8/87.5 shooting splits. Ultimately, he lost almost all of the value he showed over the course of the year. Maybe Boston wasn’t expecting to make it to the post-season at the start of the year, but having an extra body who becomes near-unplayable when it matters isn’t ideal.
Vuc was likely expected to take Garza’s spot in the rotation regardless given their histories, but either way, it became pretty clear that Luka can’t be more than a number three in that situation as things stand. That’s not to say he doesn’t still have value – personally I found him to be one of, if not the most fun story of the year. His endless hustle, his heart and dedication, and his pure grit made him incredibly easy to root for. On top of that, I really enjoyed seeing his father hyping him up and supporting the team at every turn.
Dear Boston – thank you.
To the roar inside TD Garden, the incredible staff, the tireless coaches, and the entire Boston Celtics organization, thank you for welcoming us and making us feel at home from day one. A special note to the coaches whose work behind the scenes is truly… pic.twitter.com/Mc7Q7rMBHe
All in all, Luka exceeded expectations. He had a much bigger impact in Boston than Minnesota, but didn’t ultimately prove to make enough of a jump to move up in tier as a player. It was a good move by Boston to bring him in, and he may have earned a spot for next season too. He has one more guaranteed year on his deal – it’s just a matter of how dependent on in him Boston is willing to be. Given the playoff results, I would expect him to move down a slot in the rotation.
FORT WORTH, TEXAS - MARCH 29: Kyrie Irving of the Dallas Mavericks watches the game between the UConn Huskies and the Notre Dame Fighting Irish during an Elite Eight round game of the 2026 NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament held at Dickies Arena on March 29, 2026 in Fort Worth, Texas. (Photo by Andy Hancock/NCAA Photos/NCAA Photos via Getty Images) | NCAA Photos via Getty Images
The Dallas Mavericks have some question marks surrounding Kyrie Irving’s future with the team that should be answered this offseason.
The Mavs want to keep Irving around as a veteran mentor, but given the change surrounding the organization, Masai Ujiri and Mike Schmitz should be listening to possible trade offers for him. ESPN analyst Zach Kram suggests a trade that would send Irving to the Detroit Pistons for Isaiah Stewart, Caris LeVert, Ron Holland and the No. 21 overall pick in the 2026 NBA draft.
“The cost in this deal wouldn’t be too exorbitant, as Stewart, LeVert and Holland were all bench players for Detroit who didn’t contribute much in the postseason. Holland, in particular, is an intriguing trade option: As a recent No. 5 draft pick, he could be attractive for other teams but probably doesn’t fit long term next to Ausar Thompson because of both players’ offensive limitations,” Kram wrote.
The Mavericks would likely look for a new home for LeVert, as he is on an expiring contract. Stewart could also be traded for more assets. The main assets in the deal are Holland and the first-round pick in this year’s draft. Holland was the No. 5 overall pick in the 2024 NBA draft, and he has a lot of potential. The Duncanville native would be returning home, and he could establish himself as the frontcourt partner for Cooper Flagg for the foreseeable future.
MM community, do you like this potential trade? Let us know in the comments section below.
CLEVELAND, OHIO - MAY 25: The New York Knicks celebrate with the Bob Cousy Trophy after defeating the Cleveland Cavaliers 130-93 in Game Four of the NBA Eastern Conference Finals at Rocket Arena on May 25, 2026 in Cleveland, Ohio. 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 Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) | Getty Images
For the first time since 1999, the New York Knicks are heading to the NBA Finals. The Knickerbockers completed the sweep of the Cleveland Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference Finals on Monday night with a 130-93 victory. After Game 1, when New York made an incredible fourth quarter comeback to then win in overtime, the rest of the series was all Knicks, with 16-, 13-, and 37-point wins. The Cavaliers flat out gave up on playing defense towards the end of Game 3 and Cleveland head coach Kenny Atkinson seems to be living in an alternate universe where what analytics spit out matters more than the scoreboard.
All of which begs the question, do you feel any better about the Sixers’ own sweep at the hands of the Knicks? Philadelphia had their own share of embarrassing defeats, with 39- and 30-point losses. We as fans made our share of excuses (Joel Embiid missing a game, Tyrese Maxey’s finger injury, the team being wiped out from the seven-game series win over Boston), but the fact remains it wasn’t a particularly close series result. But now, seeing Cleveland suffer a similar fate, are you less bothered by how the Sixers bowed out? Are the stars just aligning for New York to have a magical run? Is it just their year and no amount of Nick Nurse adjustments was going to make a difference?
Whether you’ve made slighter better peace with things after seeing the Knicks shellack Cleveland, or if your feelings haven’t changed one iota, let us know your thoughts and vote below in the comments.
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - MAY 15: Anthony Edwards #5 of the Minnesota Timberwolves looks on during the game against the San Antonio Spurs during Round Two Game Six of the 2026 NBA Playoffs on May 15, 2026 at Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. 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
A little over a week removed from the end of the Timberwolves season, the first thing everyone should do is take a breath.
Not an “everything is fine” breath. Not one of those fake calm-down breaths right after your team gets sent home by a 7-foot-6 alien who looks like he was designed in a lab. A real breath. The kind you take when the adrenaline wears off, the message-board rage cools down, and you can finally look at the situation without immediately wanting to fire everyone, trade everyone, and build the next roster out of Anthony Edwards and duct tape.
Because in the immediate aftermath of Minnesota’s loss to San Antonio, the reaction was always going to be emotional. How could it not be?
The Wolves didn’t just lose. They ran into a test they couldn’t solve. After a strong Game 1, the Spurs punched back hard in Game 2. In Game 3, Minnesota spent over half the first quarter looking like someone had unplugged the offense. Game 4 was a win, yes, but it came with the giant asterisk of Victor Wembanyama getting ejected and Minnesota still needing Anthony Edwards to go full fourth-quarter assassin to survive. Then Games 5 and 6 arrived, and the Wolves looked too often like a team without answers, without enough shot creation, and without enough healthy bodies to keep pace with a young Spurs team that suddenly looked less like “the future” and more like “the present just kicked your door in.”
That was a rough way to go out.
It is made worse by the larger Western Conference picture, which now looks terrifying. Oklahoma City and San Antonio are not cute upstarts anymore. They are monsters. The Thunder have the reigning back-to-back MVP, a title, and a draft-pick war chest so large it feels like Sam Presti is playing franchise mode with cheat codes. The Spurs have Wembanyama, who looks poised to become the league’s most dominant force for years, plus a young core created by the kind of lottery luck that makes every Wolves fan stare into distance and ponder our choices in life.
The pessimistic case is easy to make. Maybe the Wolves peaked. Maybe this is what they are: good enough to win playoff series, not good enough to get past the new giants. Maybe Anthony Edwards spends the next few years dragging strong-but-flawed rosters deep into the spring before eventually looking around and deciding the grass might be greener somewhere else. That is the nightmare. That is the thing Wolves fans do not want to say out loud but absolutely think about.
Thankfully, the optimistic case is just as real.
The Wolves still have Edwards, and he is not even in his prime. They still beat Nikola Jokic and Denver while several key players were compromised or injured. They pushed San Antonio to six despite Ant playing on two bad knees, Donte DiVincenzo out with an Achilles tear, Ayo Dosunmu hobbled, Naz Reid nursing a shoulder, and the point guard position essentially vacant. When healthy, this team has shown it can hang with Oklahoma City and San Antonio. It has won five playoff series over the past three seasons. This is not some accidental 49-win mirage.
All is not lost, but standing pat would be malpractice. With that in mind, here are three key questions the Wolves will need to answer as we head into the off-season.
What to do with the point guard position?
The Wolves have holes. Real ones. The biggest is point guard. Mike Conley is aging into a different role, perhaps becoming the veteran-minimum, Joe Ingles-style adult in the room. DiVincenzo was asked to fill ball-handling duties, but that pulled him away from his strengths. Edwards can initiate, but his efficiency suffers when too much of the offense rests on him as the primary organizer. Dosunmu showed flashes, but whether he can be the full-time answer is a different question. The Wolves need a true organizer, someone who can run an offense, create advantages, punish defenses for loading up on Edwards, and keep Minnesota from devolving into stagnant possessions when playoff pressure spikes.
That brings us to Kyrie Irving… which is admittedly the kind of sentence that makes half the fan base immediately move to the next browser tab.
I have not been the world’s biggest Kyrie guy. The baggage is real. The injury history is real. He is not a long-term solution. But if Dallas is truly shifting into a new era around Cooper Flagg, an aging, expensive guard coming off an ACL injury may not be central to the Mavericks’ next phase. For Minnesota, though, Kyrie could be the kind of distressed asset swing that actually makes sense.
He remains a brilliant scorer. He can handle. He can close. He would take real offensive pressure off Edwards. In a series like San Antonio, where the Wolves kept running into dead ends, Kyrie’s shot creation and late-clock brilliance would have mattered. He’s not a perfect answer, but perfect answers usually cost five first-round picks and half your roster. If Irving can be acquired at a reasonable outgoing cost while keeping the core intact, it is absolutely worth exploring. Desperate times don’t always call for desperate measures, but they do call for creative ones.
Are the Wolves actually in on Giannis?
Then there is the Giannis dream.
And let’s be honest, it is a dream. A seductive, dangerous, probably-shouldn’t-stare-directly-at-it dream. Edwards and Giannis would instantly become one of the best duos in the league, maybe the best. The idea of Ant attacking downhill next to Giannis is the kind of basketball fantasy that makes you briefly forget the second apron exists.
But the risks are enormous. Giannis is older. He has an injury history. The trade cost could be franchise-altering. If Milwaukee’s required haul includes the Wolves giving up some combination of Jaden, Rudy, Naz, and Julius, suddenly Minnesota is sacrificing the very depth and defensive infrastructure that has made it dangerous. And if Giannis gets hurt at the wrong time? Congratulations, you may have just recreated Milwaukee’s Damian Lillard problem in Minnesota, only now Anthony Edwards is the superstar left staring at a hollowed-out roster.
If the stars align and Giannis somehow maneuvers his way to Minnesota at a below-market cost, you obviously take the call. But mortgaging everything for an aging, injury-prone superstar is how you end up holding an empty bag while your franchise player starts checking Zillow in other markets.
What do the Wolves do with Julius Randle?
Which brings everything back to Julius Randle.
Randle is the great offseason hinge. When he is right, he changes the Wolves. He gives them a second self-creator, a physical bully, a pressure release for Edwards, and a passer who can make the offense hum when he draws defenders and kicks to shooters. At his best, he makes Minnesota look like a championship-caliber team.
But reliability is the issue. The best ability is availabilty, and Randle deserves credit for giving the Wolves that all season. But the next best ability is reliability. Against Oklahoma City last year, he faded. Against San Antonio, he was invisible when Minnesota needed him most. That cannot happen from the centerpiece of the Karl-Anthony Towns trade and the player who is supposed to be your No. 2 offensive engine.
So yes, if a major move happens, Randle is probably involved. His contract, talent, and name value make him the clearest pathway to changing the roster. But trading him just to trade him would be reckless. He is still immensely talented. He can still generate offense. He still gives Minnesota size and physicality. Unless the Wolves are getting a clear upgrade or a cleaner roster fit, jettisoning him for the sake of emotional closure would be a mistake.
Taking a Breath…
There is also a case for continuity, even if nobody wants to hear that after a playoff loss. This roster has been in constant motion: Gobert arrives, Towns leaves, Conley ages out of a starting-caliber role, DiVincenzo gets integrated, Dosunmu arrives, injuries scramble everything. Sometimes teams need time. Boston needed years before breaking through. Denver endured playoff scars before its title. Dirk’s Mavericks spent a decade collecting postseason frustrations before everything finally clicked in 2011.
The answer is not always to flip the table.
Sometimes the answer is to make the right margin moves, stay patient with a talented core, and wait for the moment when health, matchups, maturity, and execution finally converge.
That is the line Tim Connelly has to walk now. No panic. No complacency. No fantasy trade that guts the roster unless the reward is truly worth it. No stubborn “run it back” denial either. The Wolves need a point guard answer. They need more reliable creation. They need to prepare for life without DiVincenzo next season. They need to decide whether Randle is part of the solution or the path to one.
But they do not need to act like the window is closed.
It isn’t.
Not with Edwards still ascending. Not with a roster that, when healthy, can compete with anyone. Not after three straight meaningful playoff runs. Not after proving again that Denver, Oklahoma City, and San Antonio are not invincible basketball gods.
The Wolves have work to do. Serious work.
But panic is not a plan.
Minnesota enters an offseason not hoping to become relevant, but trying to solve the last few riddles between very good and championship-good.
That is a hard place to be.
It is also the best problem this franchise has ever had.
It has been 27 long, agonizing, painful years for New York Knicks fans since they were last in the NBA Finals. So many years of promise before watching them slip away, so many years of seeing Spike Lee age courtside before our eyes. The years of Starbury, Melo, and the hopes of landing LeBron — none of it led to victory.
Now the Knicks are back. So much has changed since they faced the San Antonio Spurs in June of 1999 — heck, this was their starting five in those finals.
Charlie Ward Allan Houston Larry Johnson Kurt Thomas Patrick Ewing
It’s a good time to go through the wayback machine to remember what the world was like when the Knicks last had a chance to win it all.
Four new countries have been recognized by the U.N. since the Knicks were in the finals: Serbia (2000), Timor Leste (2002), Montenegro (2006), and South Sudan (2011)
Regular gasoline cost an average of $1.17 a gallon in the USA
The Super Bowl played in January featured the Denver Broncos beating the Atlanta Falcons. John Elway was named MVP. The halftime show was Gloria Estefan and Stevie Wonder
The No. 1 movie in America was Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me, which was Mike Myers’ first movie since Wayne’s World 2
The top album in the United States was Livin’ La Vida Loca by Ricky Martin, and it still slaps
E.R. was the most popular TV show in the country. It ran for another 10 years after the Knicks were in the finals. Noah Wyle took a 16 year break and released another hit medical drama in The Pitt during the Knicks’ time off
The world was still gripped by the Friends season five finale, in which Ross and Rachel got drunkenly married in Las Vegas
Following Monday’s 130-93 Knicks win in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference finals, completing the sweep of the Cavaliers, Ball took to social media to post some thoughts about the game.
And it was just as you’d expect.
“Just finished watching the Knicks and Cleveland game. Man, nothing more satisfying,” he said in the beginning. “Man, they got my son Lonzo for this exact moment. Y’all didn’t get him for the season, you got him for this right here and look how you all get BLOWN out.”
Lavar Ball took to social media on Monday night to blast the Cavaliers for trading his son Lonzo Ball during the regular season after Cleveland was swept by the Knicks in the Eastern Conference Finals.Getty Images Lavar Ball took to social media on Monday night to blast the Cavaliers for trading his son Lonzo Ball during the regular season after Cleveland was swept by the Knicks in the Eastern Conference Finals.Getty Images
Lavar is referring to his eldest son Lonzo, who was with the Cavs since the start of the season before being traded to the Utah Jazz for draft considerations in February.
Lavar then dug deeper on what the real issues were plaguing the Cavs and how Lonzo would’ve solved their issues.
“Cuz you don’t have no easy transitional buckets. That’s what Lonzo do. Fast break points and defense. And what did y’all lose on? Fast break and defense and no intensity and no good leadership. Because that’s what Lonzo does.”
Lonzo played in 35 games (3 starts) with Cleveland and averaged 4.6 points, 4.0 rebounds and 3.9 assists in 20.8 minutes per game.
Lavar finally completed his rant with a message about the future.
“But, y’all gotta learn the hard way. Big Baller knows everything. Alright Charlotte, go get them boys.”
Lavar Ball on the Cavaliers getting swept by the Knicks:
“They (The Cavs) got my son Lonzo for this exact moment. Yall didn’t get him for the season, you got him for this right here & look how you get blown out… Charlotte go get them boys” pic.twitter.com/AgKEQA9V6F
Charlotte, one of the East’s up-and-coming teams, features Lavar other son LaMelo and a talented group of youngsters around him. LaMelo averaged 20.1 points, 7.1 assists and 4.8 rebounds while shooting 36.8% from three in 72 games.
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OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - MAY 20: Chet Holmgren #7 of the Oklahoma City Thunder and Victor Wembanyama #1 of the San Antonio Spurs looks on during the game 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
Fraternizing with the Enemy — with the enemy being Cray Allred of the Daily Thunder — continues after the Spurs made the adjustments we were all clamoring for to take a dominant Game 4 win and even the series 2-2. Now, it’s up to the shorthanded Thunder to adjust again in this extended chess match as what is now a best-of-three series heads back to Oklahoma City.
J.R.
The playoffs are filled with ups and downs. Like I said before Sunday’s game, after a loss, you feel like you’ll never win. So the time from Friday night to Sunday afternoon was pretty low for most Spurs fans. You’re staring down the barrel of a potential 1-3 series deficit and you’re doing that knowing that a game-starting 15-point run wasn’t enough to avoid losing by 15.
As Sunday’s game began and the home team ramped up the defense to a pace that’d match the metabolism of a pygmy shrew, my unease decreased, but not much. The Spurs had played well but they didn’t have much separation, and they’d missed 6 free throws in the first half. Even worse, as OKC chipped away at the lead, it started to feel like a replay of Game 3.
Then Wemby hit an immaculate halfcourt shot at the buzzer and suddenly everything changed. Going into the locker room up 12 is a massive difference from going in up just 9, but that wasn’t all. That heave from the logo was more than just a half court shot. It was the validation of the team’s efforts personified in Wemby and represented on the scoreboard. It was a cleansing of doldrums and a declaration of how the second half would go. It was an audacious act of a ferocious fling. That it went in felt predetermined. That it was a swish felt like a miracle.
I asked for the team to make adjustments and they did. The main one being how they reduced/altered the doubles on Shai, which definitely had an effect of forcing other guys to make plays instead of just catching and shooting open jumpers. I expected MD to come out of intermission with an adjustment of his own, but the second half was just more of the same.
Now we’re back where we started with an even series, but after four games, neither team is healthy and that looms large as we head back to OKC. Did Game 4 tell you anything about how the Thunder can play with just one playmaker? What worries you and what gives you hope?
Cray
How was it just two days ago that Spurs fans felt this way?
I’m not bothered that San Antonio ran away with a home win while facing down a 3-1 hole. I’m worried that Oklahoma City couldn’t buy a clean look, pass, or whistle on offense — things their second and third-best playmaker would theoretically help out with if they weren’t both stuck on the injury report. A soleus strain, suffered by Ajay Mitchell in Game 3 has already ruled him out for Game 5. And even if Jalen Williams somehow gets cleared to come back from his fourth hamstring injury in as many months, I would be worried about reinjury every second he played.
Aside from all that misery, I’m taking heart in a 2-2 series, the bounceback capabilities of Shai and the Thunder bench, and the reality that crazy things happen in the playoffs. Shai has always been OKC’s hope, and I still believe. SGA will find a way to look more like himself, even as the sole playmaker. Game 5 will be even more intense for players and fans to head into, as will Game 6 and/or Game 7. Potentially more ups and downs than I can prepare for.
Welcome back to the playoffs, J.R. Do you think we’re going to survive years of this rivalry?
J.R.
It certainly is a place of misery that a fan walks through after a game like that. My wife watched with me last night and she commented on the way the OKC players looked on the bench in the fourth, particularly Holmgren. I had to tell her that Chet looking miserable on the bench wasn’t news because that’s how his face has been all series so far. When he sits, I mean. You’d have to tell me what his face looks like when he plays because it’s like I’ve barely seen it. Is he actually disappearing or is it just me?
As to what this series will do to us over the years, how can I answer that when I can’t even tell where I’ll be emotionally one game from now! Let’s review the series so far through the lens of my mental and emotional well being. I thought I liked the Spurs chances coming into G1, but while I watched, my body reacted like I’d just jumped into ice cold water. Heart rate through the roof and no hope of controlling it. Spurs win, and I’m on top of the world while ignoring all of the warning signs. After a loss in another close game, I’m convinced that there’s nothing to worry about because SA takes the first at home. After that failed to happen, there’s no hope because OKC took the Spurs’ best punch. Now the series is even and I’m suspecting that there’s not much the Thunder can do because they lack ball handling and initiating. Does any of this seem healthy to you? I guess there’s a reason we’ve shortened the word ‘fanatic’ to fan – it’s so that we can forget its origins are in extremes: a person with an extreme, uncritical, and often irrational enthusiasm or devotion to something.
How is your fanatic’s heart handling this, where do you see room for improvement, and what do you expect from Game 5?
Cray
Chet always looks haggard on the bench, because he throws that frail body around fearlessly. The delay in action due to his bloodied finger is nothing new for OKC fans – we’ve even got a Twitter account dedicated to tracking whether he got hit in the face each game. Holmgren does look extra deflated, but he is playing with incredible energy and impact on defense. Per databaller, he’s been the fourth most frequent Wemby defender these playoffs; outside of racking up fouls, Holmgren has done the best job of any big trusted to guard the alien for more than 25 possessions. He’s done that while also holding the rest of the Spurs rotation players not named Dylan Harper under 50% True Shooting. San Antonio has a 106 offensive rating when Holmgren’s on the court.
What it takes to exert that force on both ends, against these Spurs, is more to blame than any lack of edge or determination from Chet. But it is showing up more on offense. Also nothing new for Thunder fans: wanting Holmgren to attack as a playmaker more when the guard rotation is thin. We were upset that he only bumped his scoring average (17.1ppg on the season) up by 1.2 points when Ajay and JDub were both out in February and March – seeing it drop to 11.3 against the Spurs is…what’s the word…deflating.
I don’t know if it’s realistic to expect him to put the ball on the floor against these guards, but he can at least be a more willing three-point shooter. He’s taking the fewest threes (2.3 per game) of his career, fewer than he has against any other postseason opponent. For a team desperate for points, a little chucking could go a long way. Of course some of that’s the Wemby effect, but there’s no one on OKC with a higher release point to try and get those off aggressively.
I’m done guessing how any game will play out, but I’m predicting we’re going 7. I can only concur with Dr. Wilco’s diagnosis: we are unhealthy fanatics. So I’m staying very up on my blood pressure medication as prescribed by my IRL doctor, and might pop an extra before Game 5.
Knicks guard Jalen Brunson sealed New York's Eastern Conference Finals sweep of the Cavaliers with a kiss.
Knicks guard Jalen Brunson sealed New York’s Eastern Conference finals sweep of the Cavaliers with a kiss.
After being named the series MVP by a unanimous vote, Brunson and his wife, Ali, embraced in an emotional moment on the court at Rocket Arena, as seen in photos of the pair Monday night.
“I can’t wait to tell Jordyn her dad is going to the NBA Finals,” Ali wrote in an Instagram Story post, including a snapshot of the couple’s 1-year-old daughter, who was sporting a Brunson tee.
Jalen Brunson #11 of the New York Knicks kisses his wife Dr. Ali Marks Brunson in Game 4 of the NBA Eastern Conference Finals at Rocket Arena on May 25, 2026 in Cleveland, Ohio. Getty Images
Ali, who is a pilates instructor and a licensed doctor of physical therapy, reposted a Knicks flyer announcing Brunson — who scored 15 points in the Knicks’ 130-93 Game 4 clincher — as the 2026 Eastern Conference finals MVP.
She added a crying emoji and heart emojis.
Jalen Brunson #11 of the New York Knicks kisses his wife Dr. Ali Marks Brunson in Game 4 of the NBA Eastern Conference Finals at Rocket Arena on May 25, 2026 in Cleveland, Ohio. Getty Images
Brunson averaged 25.5 points and 7.8 assists per game against Cleveland, while shooting 48.7 percent overall in that series.
Knicks legends, Walt “Clyde” Frazier and Patrick Ewing presented Brunson with the Larry Bird MVP trophy.
Walt Frazier and Patrick Ewing present Jalen Brunson with the “Larry Bird” Eastern Conference MVP trophy after defeating the Cavaliers 130-93 in Game 4 of the conference finals at Rocket Arena on May 25, 2026 in Cleveland, Ohio. Getty Images
The Knicks have won 11 straight games en route to the NBA Finals for the first time since 1999.
“It’s an honor to be here in this city and this organization,” Brunson said in his postgame press conference. “I wouldn’t trade it for the world.
Knicks fans were partying like it was 1999 on Monday night.
After making the NBA Finals for the first time in 27 years by winning 11 straight playoff games, the players are still in awe of their faithful — and perhaps unique — fans.
“Knicks fans are a specific species of human that should be studied,” Knicks bench player Landry Shamet said on “Inside the NBA” after the 130-93 Game 4 win. “It’s special, man. They’re crazy. They’re crazy. They fly out to Cleveland on Monday. They’re everywhere. They take over arenas. Everywhere you walk in the city, that’s what you hear. The buzz is unbelievable. You could try and explain what’s going on in New York right now for Knicks fans but good luck. It’s different. Knicks fans are different.”
Knicks fans go wild on the streets of New York City on Monday night. NY Post
Fans even climbed onto anything they could find as MSG looked more like a zoo than a sports arena after the New York Liberty vs. Portland Fire game Monday night.
Knicks fans were even getting arrested as they climbed onto street signs with chaos unfolding at every turn on the city streets.
It wasn’t just on the streets, either, as opposing teams were imploring their ticket holders not to sell their seats to Knicks fans for playoff home games.
To no avail, though, as Knicks chants echoed in the road buildings throughout the playoffs, but especially in Philadelphia and Cleveland.
Knicks fans were being arrested on the streets at one point.
Shamet’s name was even being chanted on the streets at one point, as the role-playing wing could do no wrong for the Knicks down the stretch of Game 1 and throughout the Eastern Conference finals.
The reserve wing who couldn’t get off the bench for much of the playoffs last year when Tom Thibodeau was the coach was on an incredible heater versus the Cavaliers, going 11-for-12 from 3-point range (91.6 percent).
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The Knicks will look to stay hot as the Spurs and Thunder beat each other up in the Western Conference finals, with the teams tied at 2-2 entering Tuesday’s Game 5.
The NBA Finals don’t begin until June 3, giving the Knicks nine days’ rest between series.
CHICAGO, IL - MAY 12: Cameron Boozer shoots the ball during the 2026 NBA Draft Combine on May 12, 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
One of the great things about the NBA Draft process is the gamesmanship and skullduggery. If somebody wanted, say, BYU star AJ Dybantsa, that team might plant doubts about his workouts or attitude, hoping to push him down the draft order.
Unless you get a crack at Shaquille O’Neal or Hakeem Olajuwon, where there’s no doubt who will go first, it always happens. It doesn’t always work, but somebody always does it. Sun Tzu would have loved the NBA Draft.
We’re not at all sure what’s happening with Cameron Boozer, but something is bubbling away. People are suggesting all sorts of things. There are subtle suggestions that the Washington Wizards might opt for him with #1. There are accounts that Utah may take him with the #2 pick.
This much is indisputable: Dybantsa’s family has moved to Utah and apparently quite likes living there. Dybantsa has said a couple of things that indicate he would like to stay in Utah. That would probably happen if Washington takes Boozer with the #1 pick.
And it’s worth remembering that Oklahoma City has a ton of draft picks that will devalue if they don’t make a trade to move up in the draft or at least move them further into the future.
OKC is a real wild card. If they decided that they wanted, let’s say, Boozer, they could work a trade with either Memphis or Chicago and send them a huge collection of future picks.
Barring that, the current wisdom is that Boozer will go either #3 to Memphis or at #4 to Chicago, but it doesn’t appear to be written in stone just yet.
Kurt Helin
