Category: NBA

“Elmo causing NBA Finals drama” probably wasn’t on your bingo card.

The famed “Sesame Street” puppet is getting pushback from fervent New York basketball fans after wishing both the Knicks and Spurs well before Wednesday night’s NBA Finals Game 1.

“Elmo hopes both teams have fun,” the Muppet wrote on X before the start of the Finals.

The post has since drawn over 12 million views and over a thousand comments, mainly from irate Knicks fans stunned Elmo wasn’t fully endorsing his hometown team before its first NBA Finals game since 1999.

Sesame Street is canonically a New York City street — the show was originally filmed in Manhattan before moving to Queens in 1993.

“Elmo this is the first time I’m not rocking with you. You gotta root for your city man!” X user @UTxJGTheDon replied in the comments.

“Hey man, you from Sesame Street, in the middle of New York City. You better be rooting for the Knicks!” another New York sports fan, @RonDeLaPena, wrote on X.

Several of the comments used colorful language not appropriate for the PBS show, and others used anatomical words to describe their feelings about the post.

Even with Elmo getting serious backlash, the Knicks rallied back from down 14 points in the third quarter to steal Game 1 of the Finals 105-95.

In the Knicks’ first Finals win in 27 years, Jalen Brunson stole the show with a game-high 30 points on 12-of-31 shooting.

Brunson struggled in the first half, but hit a clutch 3 to put the Knicks up 97-95 with under two minutes remaining, and they wouldn’t relinquish that lead.

Karl-Anthony Towns also starred in his first NBA Finals game with 18 points and 12 rebounds, while Josh Hart grabbed 15 boards and added four steals despite only having three points.

Spurs star Victor Wembanyama couldn’t fit his footing, shooting just 6-of-21 from the field.

San Antonio aims to even the series Friday night at 8:30 p.m. ET.

Even the MTA is hopping aboard the Knicks train!

A repainted blue-and-orange 34th Street subway entrance outside Madison Square Garden has become a viral sensation for Knickerbocker fans, who have been gathering in droves to snap a selfie with the colorful team tribute.

The station was clad in Knicks colors and adorned with basketball light fixtures on Monday to honor the New York team’s first finals appearance since 1999 – and has been drawing hordes of jubilant fans to the new monument since.

“As a fan and a native New Yorker, I’ve never seen anything like this before, where the city really recognizes the sports team,” said Richard Bird of Harlem, as dozens of fans took selfies at the station entrance Wednesday afternoon.

“The Yankees have been doing it for years, but [for] the Knicks, I’m saying it’s amazing.”

“I think [subway stations] should be painted all over the city,” said Cornelio Joseph, known as Beat of New York online. “It’ll elevate the culture,” the 33-year-old added, “and has to celebrate the message: to celebrate the Knicks.”

The subway station makeover comes as part of a citywide celebration, with Big Apple residents coming up with Knicks-themed bagels, lattes, cheesesteaks and even tattoos to celebrate the team.

Joseph noted the historic run has ignited a citywide camaraderie unlike any other – and the subway station revamp has become a viral representation of Big Apple pride.

“If you’re a real New Yorker, you know the colors of blue and orange,” Joseph added. “I definitely think it brings unity.”

“Every time New York stays on top, it always unites the city,” remarked 22-year-old NYU student Andrew. “For [the team] to be down for so long, [and] for it to be back up again, that’s the difference.”

“In 2026, we’re divided on so many economic and political issues. Sports is something that we can all agree on,” said Matt Swirsky, a self-proclaimed “bandwagon” Knicks fan from Long Island.

“It’s great to see the city – just the excitement of people from different backgrounds all come together.” 

The selfie spot – which has even drawn Mayor Zohran Mamdani to pose outside with basketball fans – was painted overnight into Monday after being floated for about a week, the MTA’s chief customer officer Shanifah Rieara told The New York Times.

The makeover comes after several Knicks-themed celebrations within the subway system, from actor Tracy Morgan recording a themed announcement to Rapper Fat Joe guest conducting on the 1 train. 

At Penn Station, the lights now shine orange, white and blue in celebration of the finals clinch.

The transit system’s team pride isn’t limited to the Knicks, either: when the New York Liberty won a championship title in 2024, the MTA hung a banner in their honor, the Times reported.

Still, Rieara adamantly squashed any dreams of the entire transit system being re-painted in the near future, even if the Knicks clinch a championship win: 

“This is the only one,” she told the outlet. “Doing multiple sort of diminishes the experience.”

An MTA rep told The Post the 34th Street station entrance will remain blue-and-orange “until a time to be determined.

But Knicks fans are far from losing hope – on both a finals win and a city painted blue-and-orange.

“They need to make every train station like that,” argued Duane, 37, of Harlem.

“Especially when we win!”

The courtside seats sat in by Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce during the 2026 Eastern Conference finals between the Cleveland Cavaliers and the New York Knicks are set to go to auction. 

In addition to the actual courtside chairs occupied by some of the biggest names in sports and entertainment, fans can also own game-used signed basketballs, jerseys, and the actual nets.

Among the most coveted items heading to auction are the courtside seats used by Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce during the Cavaliers’ playoff run at Rocket Arena. Also available are seats connected to actor Timothée Chalamet, Kylie Jenner, comedian and lifelong Knicks supporter Ben Stiller and Cleveland native Machine Gun Kelly.

The celebrity chairs headline a larger Eastern Conference Finals collection authenticated and curated by The Realest, the Cavaliers’ Official Authentication and Memorabilia Partner.

The auction also includes the official game-used basketball from Game 3 and the game-used nets from the two conference finals games played in Cleveland on May 23 and May 25. Items any Knicks diehard would love to own, especially if they go on to win their first NBA Championship in 53 years. 

For Cavaliers fans, the auction offers pieces directly connected to one of the most electric playoff atmospheres in franchise history. For Swifties, sports fans and collectors alike, it presents something even rarer. 

A chance to own a piece of history from the action on the court.

After Jason Kidd and the Dallas Mavericks parted ways a few weeks ago, the Mavs kicked off the search for his replacement. We previously covered the news that Dallas was exploring potential fits with collegiate stalwarts Jon Scheyer and Dusty May, and now word has come out that Terry Stotts is also being considered for the job.

If Stotts’ name strikes you as familiar, that’s because he was an assistant under Rick Carlisle during the Mavericks’ 2011 championship season. Aside from that memorable run, Stotts has held coaching roles at the NBA level since 1994 when he began as an assistant for the Oklahoma City Thunder’s former iteration, the Seattle Supersonics. That stint afforded him some NBA Finals experience when the Sonics came up short to the Chicago Bulls in 1996. He was then an assistant with the Milwaukee Bucks, and then the Atlanta Hawks for whom he eventually took the head coaching job. He then spent a year with the Golden State Warriors as an assistant, before returning to Milwaukee for two years as the head coach.

After that, he was with Dallas as an assistant coach from 2008-2012 where he again returned to the NBA Finals, but with better results. 2011 put Stotts in the rarified air of those that were a part of the pinnacle of Mavericks’ history, playing an instrumental part in the championship run. He parlayed that stint into a long tenure as the Portland Trailblazers head coach from 2012 to 2021, then took some time off before returning to the Warriors as an assistant coach for the past two seasons.

In all, Stotts has accumulated a 402-318 record (55.8% winning percentage) as a head coach in the NBA. Over more than 30 years, he has either coached, or coached against, some of the best coaches and players the league has ever seen. He is a basketball lifer – you don’t stick around as long as he has unless you both belong and badly want to be there.

Rumors are that Stotts now only wants to consider head coaching jobs, and will be in the mix for the open position in Dallas. The Mavericks would be well served with Stotts steering the ship. At age 68 and with his resume, he has seen it all. He would instantly command respect simply based on who he is – there would be no rookie coach inexperience to harp on from either the players or media. He would bring the necessary discipline to what will likely be a young team led by Cooper Flagg, while also knowing full well how to manage the veteran players. Throwing back to the 2011 championship team would also bring a nice connection to the past for the Mavs, who could still afford to bolster good will with the fanbase.

Stotts would likely be something of a transitional coach, but that too could be a boon to the franchise. He could ably prepare one of his assistant coaches to take the reigns from him in a few years, or Dallas could simply choose to go another way when the time comes. Either way, Stotts brings a safe – but not mundane or low-ceiling – coach to the franchise, and one who can help lead the team into the next phase. The Mavs could certainly do worse.

I invite you to follow me @_80MPH on X, and check back often at Mavs Moneyball for all the latest on the Dallas Mavericks.

A funny thing happens when your team gets eliminated from the playoffs. For a few days you’re angry. Then you’re depressed. Then you start convincing yourself that next year will be different. Then the offseason rumor mill starts churning, and suddenly you’re arguing about hypothetical trades involving players who may or may not even be available. But before all of that takes over completely, there is still basketball to be played, and for Timberwolves fans, that basketball now comes with a clear rooting interest.

The New York Knicks marched into San Antonio and stole Game 1 of the NBA Finals, putting Karl-Anthony Towns just three wins away from capturing the Larry O’Brien Trophy.

For nearly a decade, Towns carried the weight of a franchise that was often wandering through the wilderness. Now, two seasons removed from the blockbuster trade that sent him to New York, he finds himself on the doorstep of basketball immortality.

If you’re a Timberwolves fan, you should be cheering for him. You’d have to be a particularly bitter person not to. For all the frustrations that occasionally accompanied Towns’ tenure in Minnesota, he gave this franchise everything he had. He showed up. He played through difficult circumstances. He helped bridge the gap between the dark years and the emergence of Anthony Edwards.

So when Wolves fans see him standing three wins away from a championship, the reaction isn’t jealousy. It’s pride.

That doesn’t mean anybody should start engraving the trophy yet. If the Timberwolves taught us anything a few weeks ago, it’s that winning Game 1 in San Antonio guarantees absolutely nothing. The record books tell us that the winner of Game 1 goes on to win the series roughly 70 percent of the time. That’s an impressive number. It’s also the kind of statistic that gets thrown around confidently until reality punches it in the face.

Minnesota walked into San Antonio during the Western Conference Semifinals and stole Game 1 from the Spurs. Wolves fans were feeling pretty good. The team had weathered injuries. Anthony Edwards had made his miraculous return. San Antonio looked vulnerable. Suddenly everybody was talking about how the Wolves had taken home-court advantage.

Then Game 2 happened. The Wolves treated that second game like they were playing with house money. San Antonio responded by blowing the doors off them. The lesson was simple: Winning Game 1 isn’t the accomplishment. Protecting the advantage is.

That’s why Game 2 feels so massive for New York. If the Knicks can somehow pull off the Texas two-step and leave San Antonio with both games in hand, the entire complexion of the series changes. Suddenly the Spurs find themselves staring at a 2-0 deficit heading into Madison Square Garden, one of the loudest and most chaotic environments in basketball when things are going well.

At that point, New York would be firmly in control. Not champions, not even close. But firmly in control.

The challenge, of course, is that Victor Wembanyama rarely stays down for long. One of the recurring themes throughout the series with the Wolves and Thunder was how quickly Wembanyama adjusted. There would be games where he looked slightly uncomfortable. There would be stretches where defenses bothered him. Then he’d spend 48 hours making adjustments and return looking like a basketball-playing extraterrestrial sent to punish mankind for its arrogance.

Game 1 of the Finals felt familiar. Wembanyama wasn’t quite himself.

The rhythm, the dominance, and the overwhelming sense of inevitability wasn’t there. History suggests that won’t last. Great players adjust. Superstars adjust faster, and Wembanyama increasingly looks like the type of player who solves problems overnight.

That’s why Towns becomes such a fascinating figure in this series. The Knicks need him to be the version of Karl-Anthony Towns that Wolves fans spent years dreaming about. The disciplined version that avoids silly fouls and stays on the floor. The version that uses his skill and size to create problems. If Towns can continue making his presence felt inside while forcing Wembanyama to work on the other end, suddenly New York has a pathway to pulling this off.

That’s what makes this series so compelling. The Knicks have been red hot and look like a team that genuinely believes it’s destined to finish the job. Meanwhile, San Antonio still has the most terrifying player in the sport and the type of roster that can make you feel foolish for doubting them.

It feels like we’re headed toward something special. Maybe it’s six games. Maybe it’s seven. Maybe it’s one of those Finals that gets remembered for years because of the stars involved, the momentum swings, the iconic moments and the pressure that comes with chasing a championship.

Whatever happens, Game 1 already accomplished one thing. It reminded everyone that San Antonio is beatable. The Knicks proved it. Now comes the hard part. Can they do it again?

Can they avoid the mistake Minnesota made? Can they leave Texas with both games? Because if they can, suddenly Karl-Anthony Towns won’t be three wins away anymore. He’ll be standing on the edge of a championship with Madison Square Garden waiting to carry him the rest of the way.

For Wolves fans, that would be a pretty cool sight. We never get to be the bride around here. Most years we aren’t even the bridesmaid. But seeing one of the greatest players in franchise history get his moment? That’s something worth rooting for.

The Canis faithful will be watching, and most of Wolves Nation is probably saying the same thing:

Go get it, KAT.

Here’s part two of my conversation with J.R. Wilco of Pounding the Rock. He and Spurs Nation are recovering from a stunning 10-point loss in Game One of the Finals. The Knicks, led by the Villanova roomies, made the game a thriller with a 24-point turnaround. Now San Antonio must regroup and try to clean up the mistakes of their first effort. 

Click the link if you missed part 1 and would like to catch up.

J.R.

After one game, we’re a lot closer to your prediction than we are mine. If San Antonio doesn’t fix the problems I’m about to address, you’re in a great position to see Wilco with your wife without having to miss a Finals game. Great performances from your team. Truly. And not a very good showing from the hometown boys, which was not at all what I was expecting. In some ways, it looked like San Antonio didn’t prepare any kind of Knicks-specific approach to the game, which seems puzzling.

So puzzling that I’m reminded of the last time I was puzzled like this: Game 1 of the 2017 playoffs’ second-round series against Houston. The Spurs didn’t cater their standard game plan to the Rockets. They came out with a plain-vanilla offense and defense and got absolutely trucked. Lost by almost 30. Do you remember Mike D’Antoni’s “three is more than two” press conference? That was after Game 1. The overwhelming narrative leading up to Game 2 was the antiquated nature of the Spurs system and how inevitable Houston’s victory was.

Then Popovich made adjustments based on what he saw after Game 1, and the Spurs won four of the next five games, with an overtime win in Game 5 that ended with Manu Ginobili’s over-the-back block of James Harden’s three-point attempt and led to a Game 6 in which Harden failed to show up in any meaningful way. (You may have experienced something like that from Harden yourself.) So San Antonio has had this kind of weird series start before, and they’ve come out smiling.

While I have no insight into the adjustments being cooked up by Mitch’s Coaching Staff (MCS?), here are the things I noticed that I would like to see addressed.

First, Victor had his first truly disappointing game of the playoffs. Some people would say that Game 5 of the WCF qualifies, but for me that was passive Wemby, and Wednesday night was … I dunno what to call it. Hyperactive Wemby? Whatever it was, it can’t happen again if SA wants to win. Since February 1, there have been only three games in which Wemby has been a minus in his minutes on the court. And two of those have come against the Knickerbockers, which is not very confidence-inducing when all of the games for the rest of the season are against the same team. Expect angry-but-composed Wemby for Game 2.

Second, in a game-on-the-line, clutch situation, your go-to play can’t be a Wemby isolation from outside the three-point line. A couple of hours before the game, I was talking with one of my writers, and I said that Wemby’s favorite play is probably freelancing. Well, if your default mode is letting him have his favorite play, that’s fine. He can have it for 43 minutes of the game. But when it comes down to the final five minutes of a nip-and-tuck Finals game, how about we run some kind of action, some kind of pet play that we like our chances with? Expect a firm left hand from Mitch in these situations going forward. Or at least expect the guys to get an earful and handle it differently next time.

Third, against a lineup without OG, the Spurs allowed Brunson and Shamet to stay on the floor without running any offense at them. That should probably not be allowed to stand. There are so many ways to get them involved in actions that it’d be silly to even start a list. Either play Shamet off the court or tire him out. Force Jalen to exert himself on his own end, and even if he’s still fresh as a daisy in crunch time, at least you’ll be scoring points along the way, which would be a far cry from posting 18 in the fourth like in G1. Expect SA to do more targeting of NY’s weaker defenders.

Fourth, more Harper, and a greater range of actions run for him during said more. What did the kid try to do in his Finals debut that he couldn’t do? I can’t think of anything realistic that could’ve been asked of a player that he didn’t deliver on. I could go on, but that’s over 600 words already, and I don’t want to try your patience.

What did you see that you liked from the first Finals game, and what concerns you?

R.R.

It was a thrilling Game One, from our vantage at least. We thought San Antonio played well enough to win, especially given how rusty the Knicks were on offense. After a promising start, we didn’t expect them to finish the first quarter with 19 points. They had played eight games in 23 days, and it showed in the halftime numbers.

Nor did we think this game would so closely resemble the NBA Cup Final, in which New York rallied from a double-digit third-quarter deficit and held the Spurs to 19 points in the fourth to win. Uncanny similarities!

I agree that the series is far from over if San Antonio makes your recommended adjustments. I was surprised at how underutilized Harper was in the second half and that Brunson wasn’t hunted more—especially when he was initially injured. Shamet’s a better defender than his reputation suggests, but admittedly one of the weaker links in the chain. Targeting him makes sense.

As for Wemby, we agree again: bombing threes late in a tight game (or freelancing, as you say) seems a suboptimal use of his talent. Keep sending that big fella to the cup! He’s more likely to get three points that way (with an and-one) and stop the clock.

Tell me, do you communicate suggestions to Mitch Johnson by text or email? For Thibs, I used to hide video messages on VHS tapes, mislabel them (randomly, e.g., “Portland vs. Pacers, Jan. 5, 1982”), and leave them on the sidewalk outside the practice facility. VHS is Thibs’ catnip.

Regrettably, Mike Brown has a restraining order against me.

We liked plenty of what we saw in this first contest. New York remains confident and resilient. It’s reassuring to know Captain Clutch still has his mystical powers. KAT was pretty sweet, too. When New York runs the Towns-Brunson pick-and-roll, it opens multiple scoring options for them. Why they don’t spam it 100 times per game baffles me. That said, the Spurs had real trouble containing Towns whenever Victor rested. Come to think of it, Wemby didn’t do much to slow him, either.

Bridges and Hart combining for 12 points wasn’t too concerning. I wrote about Josh in the postgame piece:

“By the end of the game, Josh would have three points on 1-of-5 shooting, which looks bad. But run your eye across the stat line and let the truth reveal itself: 14 rebounds, six assists, four steals, a block, and a team-high +22 in his 27 minutes. His relentless energy rescued this game from the loss column.”

New York won’t have many more off-shooting nights in the series. Wait till you see these guys really cook with gas! Not only has New York won 12 games in a row, but 11 of those were by double digits. Impressive stuff from a team that is considered the underdog.

Brunson’s shooting reminded me of 1994’s Game One. In that tilt, Patrick Ewing went 10-for-26, and in this one Brunson shot 12-of-31. Same stinky, different outcomes. Even after a janky shooting performance by Jalen, we can sing his praises. Yet again, his shots fell in the clutch.

The Knicks have so many weapons that when Brunson is cold, someone else can step into the void. You saw it in Game One. KAT carried the team through the middle of the game. Anunoby was kind of a dud through three quarters, then knocked down eight points to swing the game. Another night, Bridges will drop 20 points on eight shots. Or Shamet might go 5-of-9 from deep, or Clarkson contribute 15. Mike Brown has a lot of cool toys!

Were you surprised by the contributions of your supporting cast, namely Fox, Vassell, and Johnson? I see they combined for 19 points. Also: Champagnie loves shooting three-pointers against the Knicks, making 18-of-34 in four games against NY this season. Finally, at last, Mike Brown schemed to stop this kid, limiting him to one point post-intermission. You’ve watched more of him than I—does he just go gonzo for Knicks games, or is he a for-real gunslinger? (I could look this up on Basketball-Reference, but stats can be suspicious … and I’m falling asleep.)

J.R.

The last time I had a mode of secret communication with a Spurs coach, it was Bob Hill. And I don’t need to tell you how that turned out. Suffice it to say that there was nothing else for it but to work my way into the blogging business and lob my thoughts to the team that way.

In the game, San Antonio has a lead and loses a lead because they only score 19 in the fourth while Brunson goes off; I can’t tell whether I’m talking about Wednesday night or the NBA Cup Final. That’s far too uncannily similar, but I have a solution. We need more cans in this series ASAP! Now, I just need to figure out what a can is in this context, and we’d have something. I know! I’ll make a VHS tape and—my wife is shaking her head … apparently I don’t have a camcorder anymore. That’s unfortunate.

Instead, let’s talk about Wemby’s defense on Towns (besides a few choice words I have that I won’t share here—suffice it to say they aren’t complimentary). I’d love to see Vic never leave his defensive stance while guarding a shooter on the perimeter unless his man is already off the ground in the middle of his jump shot. It’s not that Wemby can’t block three-pointers, it’s that it’s just so rare that anyone does. In the meantime, the number of times he’s been blown by for a layup this season is measured in the dozens! I don’t see anything of value being accomplished by Vic hunting blocks so far from the basket when he gives up far more total points when his timing isn’t perfect and he jumps too soon. I’d love to see what KAT can accomplish if Wemby simply plays solid perimeter defense on him. If he still goes off, then something structurally will need to change, but I doubt that. And it seems like Victor agrees because one of his postgame quotes was about how he needed to just make normal plays.

Next to Brunson, who I will get to in a minute, I thought Hart was the MVP for New York. Relentless energy isn’t enough to explain Hart’s impact. Plus/minus isn’t enough either. He’s got that thing. The one where you know it when you see it. It jumps off the screen as you watch on TV, and it smacks you in the face when you’re viewing in person. Alex Caruso has it too. After seven games of seeing one of Those Guys in the right place at the right time with the exact play, maybe the only play, that would stop the Spurs’ score or run, San Antonio fans have run right into another! Hart is a guy you hate but would love in an instant if he was on your team, and I don’t want to say another word about it right now.

Jalen’s late hot streak cures all—you can shoot as badly as possible if you’re able to can the looks that matter. (There’s another “can.” I told you they were important!) Shooting is important too, and by the time your guys are cooking with gas, then Wemby will need to be operating at fully operational Arrow Station levels, or it’ll get ugly.

I wasn’t surprised by the inability of Fox, Vassell, and Johnson to score more. Fox will have a bad game even when he’s healthy, and his ankle is obviously still limiting him. He bounces back regularly, though. Vassell has played great in the playoffs, and while he had an off night from deep (1-6), he hit 3 of 5 from the field, dished three assists, and grabbed nine huge boards. I’m not concerned about him. Johnson’s the one that’s weird to me. He only saw eight minutes of playing time, and I didn’t see much of a reason for that. Sure, he was 1-4, but he was the lone Spur with a positive +/-. Mitch obviously saw something he didn’t like. Gotta hope that turns around.

Which brings us to Julian Champagnie, who doesn’t just like shooting against the Knicks. Julian is now a certified flamethrower, and while he had a cold spell during the season and an early lull against OKC, he’s firing on all cylinders and will need to occupy a good amount of New York’s defensive attention.

R.R.

I’m glad you ‘can’ (ouch) maintain your humor after the opening loss. Surely the Spurs will reward your confidence soon. Despite their 12-game win streak, I still doubt New York will sweep. There’s too much talent on your side of the court.

The mismatch tortured us the last time these two fought in the Finals, back in 1999. Compared to then, this is already basketball nirvana. Cynicism aside, it is pretty cool that the NBA will have a different champion for the eighth straight year.

Your comparison of Caruso to Hart is dead on. I feel the same about Caruso (and used to about Jose Alvarado): that stinker is insufferable until he’s on your team, when he becomes your favorite player. For whether that holds true for Dillon Brooks, we’d have to ask a Phoenix or Memphis fan. And I stand by my solemn vow not to root for any team that employs the services of Kelly Oubre Jr. It’s an irrational dislike, but real.

I don’t know what to make of Keldon Johnson. He must have played some great games this season to earn Sixth Man of the Year honors, but he’s underwhelmed in the small sample size I’ve witnessed. Vassell impresses me more, and I’m bracing for him to perform better in his second chance. Your comments about Wemby seem to point to the immaturity of youth. The more he hangs out with the monks, the more disciplined he’ll become, and then the league will really be screwed.

A note about Champagnie. We are spoiled to have Mike Breen and the great Walt “Clyde” Frazier as our commentators for Knicks games. Clyde is in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame twice, as a player and broadcaster, and our SB Nation site is named after one of his colorful colloquialisms. One of his most endearing qualities is his singular ability to mangle names. To hear him say “Julian Champagne-y” is one of life’s joys.

We were glad that Knicks superfans Ben Stiller and Spike Lee made it to Texas. There may still be time for me to buy a ticket, fly to San Antonio, rent a hotel room, grab a secondary-market seat, and attend Game Two. Sadly, the grand total would be cheaper than trying to get into MSG for Games Three or Four. New York has two strata of fans: the wealthy set who can afford astronomical ticket prices, and the unwashed masses who watch from home or behind barricades on the street outside MSG. I proudly represent the latter, although, admittedly, sometimes the greed at the Garden is a nagging stone in my shoe.

Along those lines . . . as a fan, how does it feel when so many at Frost Bank Center are cheering MVP! for Brunson at the free-throw line? Poor Donovan Mitchell may never recover from that particular torment.

Here’s a true, unflattering story to wrap this up. Around the eight-minute mark of the second quarter, my wife texted from the bedroom to ask for help removing a splinter from her foot. Since she’ll never read this: I absolutely considered pretending to miss the message because the game was so good. Luckily, Mitch Johnson called a challenge timeout that allowed me to fulfill my husbandly duties.

Later, Jen texted that she was now streaming the game on her laptop because “everyone is talking about the game.” Hence, down the stretch, I was shouting in the living room, she was shouting from the bedroom, and our house must have sounded bananas from the sidewalk. I imagine things were equally wild at La Casa de Wilco. Let’s hope for more of the same great basketball in Game Two. Good luck to you (but Go Knicks, obviously).

Who’s the best NBA free agent in the summer of the 2026? There’s not a lot of great options. LeBron James remains the biggest name, but he’s set to turn 42 years old midway through the season. Coby White and Ayo Dosunmu are both solid players, but they were most recently in a sixth man role. Norman Powell can get buckets, but his defense is a bit of an eyesore, and he’s older than you might think at 33. There’s a nice list of restricted free agents — Jalen Duren, Peyton Watson, Walker Kessler, Tari Eason — but it’s going to be hard to pry them away from their teams.

For my money, the best available NBA free agent this year is Austin Reaves. Reaves will turn down his  $14.9 million player option to become an unrestricted free agent in early July, and he could cash in in a huge way thanks to a depleted marketplace.

Reaves’ max contract would be five years, $239 million if he re-signs with the Los Angeles Lakers. If he signs with another team, the most he could get is four years, $178 million. Given the leverage he has right now, it’s no surprise that Reaves and his representation are pushing the Lakers for the full max. Los Angeles Times reporter Brad Turner went on local TV on Thursday night and said “based on what I understand and what I keep hearing, Austin wants the max.” Turner added that he’s not sure Reaves will give the Lakers a hometown discount. Watch the video here:

"Based on what I understand, what I keep hearing: Austin wants the max. Is he willing to give the Lakers a hometown deal? I'm not so sure about that" – @BA_Turner on Austin Reaves pic.twitter.com/tCMgicHEtY

— Oh No He Didn't (@ohnohedidnt24) June 5, 2026

Reaves signed what was a considered a very team-friendly team last time he was a free agent — and he easily out-played it. In the summer of 2023, the guard agreed to a four-year, $54 million that had a player option in the final season. Negotiating that option was a brilliant move by Reaves’ agents, and now he gets to hit he open market again at 28 years old.

The Lakers are entering a pivotal summer. This is their big chance to build around Luka Doncic, and they need to get it right. Los Angeles has Reaves, James, Rui Hachimura, Luke Kennard, and Maxi Kleber all coming off the books. Do any of these players fit the Lakers’ long-term vision around Luka? If so, they will work to re-sign them, but only if the front office believes they still have enough flexibility to continue to build out the team.

The Lakers are slated to have about $48 million in cap space this summer, second most behind only the Chicago Bulls. Chicago doesn’t seem like a threat to sign Reaves at the moment under a new front office led by Bryson Graham. Would the Brooklyn Nets — potentially armed with $44 million in cap space — get involved? That seems more possible. Here’s the cap space leaders this summer, via insider Keith Smith.

I'm continuing to tweak my cap space projections for this summer as we gather more intel and plans for the offseason become clearer. Now, I'm projecting only four cap space teams in July:

1 Bulls: $58.4M
2 Lakers: $48.1M
3 Nets: $44.6M
4 Pistons: $26.9M

ATL & LAC could be cap…

— Keith Smith (@KeithSmithNBA) May 1, 2026

Of course, teams can create cap space pretty easily. Got a bad contract on your hands? Brooklyn or Chicago would likely be willing to take it for the low, low price of a promising young player or future draft picks.

Is there another free agent the Lakers could value over Reaves? Given the way Doncic gets the most out of his centers, I like the idea of Los Angeles targeting Duren with a max offer sheet. It’s possible Detroit would match to retain him, but it would feel like a hard decision after Duren’s disappointing playoff run this year.

How much should the Lakers offer Austin Reaves?

Reaves is an awesome offensive player who struggles on defense. Can you really win a championship with two weak defenders like Doncic and Reaves on the floor at the same time? You better have three awesome defenders around them if so. Reaves graded out as the 30th best player in the NBA this season by EPM by being the 27th best offensive player and the 156th best defensive player. That’s just one metric, but it doesn’t seem too crazy to me.

If I’m the Lakers, I’m trying to get Reaves to sign for under $40 million annually when his max would put him at $47.8 million per year. Given how the current CBA is squeezing salaries for mid-level players, I just can’t see Reaves getting his full max anywhere, including LA.

A fair offer for Reaves would be four years, $150 million with a player option on the final season. That’s an average of $37.5 million per year. The Lakers could front-load the deal to maintain more cap space going forward.

This is such a critical summer for the Lakers if they ever want to build a championship team around Luka. Figuring out what to do with Reaves is their first big decision.

New York Post may be compensated and/or receive an affiliate commission if you click or buy through our links. Featured pricing is subject to change.

The drought at the Garden is finally over.

After 27 long, long years — from the lows of the Isaiah Thomas era to the giddy highs of Linsanity to the infamous Andrea Bargnani trade — the New York Knicks are playing in the NBA Finals at MSG.

To say New York is excited might be the understatement of the year.

“I think the Finals are going to be surreal,” Post social media guru and Knicks diehard Olivia Silio said. “…you’re not ready for what’s to come. Win or lose, this series will be a part of the Knicks legacy forever.”

If you’d like to be at the Garden cheering on Jalen Brunson, Karl-Anthony Towns, OG Anunoby, Mikal Bridges and Josh Hart live, last-minute tickets are still available for all three potential NYC contests against Victor Wembanyama’s San Antonio Spurs.

They’re scheduled to take place:

Game 3Monday, June 8
8:30 p.m.

Game 4Wednesday, June 10
8:30 p.m.

Game 6Tuesday, June 16
8:30 p.m.

As expected, seats are a bit…pricey.

Like “most expensive in NBA history” pricey.

At the time of publication, the lowest price we could find on tickets for any one game at MSG was $8,079 including fees on SeatGeek.

Other Madison Square Garden games have seats starting at $8,190 and $8,417 including fees.

While these prices are beyond exorbitant — Taylor Swift concerts typically go for $1,000 and it usually costs around $4,500 to get into the Super Bowl — it’s hard to put a price tag on seeing the Knicks at MSG in the NBA Finals for the first time this Millennium (especially while they’re in their element).

This is beyond bucket list. This is the stuff of dreams.

“Nothing compares to Knicks playoff energy,” Silio told us.“…the roar of the crowd, the fans jumping up and down after every shot, the celebrities hyping up the crowd, the MSG organist leading the chants, the announcer after every point. MSG makes you feel like you’re a part of history…if you have the money, it’s totally worth going.”

Bing Bong.

For more information, our team has everything you need to know and more about attending 2026 NBA Finals games between the New York Knicks and San Antonio Spurs at Madison Square Garden below.

What do tickets cost for Knicks NBA Finals games at MSG?

A complete calendar, including all announced Knicks NBA Finals home game dates and the best prices on tickets are listed here:

New York Knicks NBA Finals home game dates	Ticket prices start at
Game 3 Monday, June 8	$8,417(including fees)
Game 4 Wednesday, June 10	$8,079(including fees)
Game 6 Tuesday, June 16 (if necessary)	$8,190(including fees)

Make sure to use promo code NYPOST10 for $10 off purchases over $250 at checkout (Editor’s Note: this discount is only valid for users’ first purchase on SeatGeek).

What do tickets cost for Spurs NBA Finals games in San Antonio

All Spurs playoff home game dates at the Frost Bank Center and the cheapest tickets available can be found below.

San Antonio Spurs home game dates	Ticket prices start at
Game 2 Friday, June 57:30 p.m.	$634(including fees)
Game 5 Saturday, June 13 7:30 p.m.	$1,710(including fees)
Game 7 Friday, June 197:30 p.m.	$3,942(including fees)

Knicks playoff home game giveaways

Silio also let us know that there are some additional perks to attending games at MSG.

“The first home game of the series, you’ll go home with a souvenir t-shirt, commemorating the game,” she said.

“Other games have ‘Always Knicks’ towels for fans to keep as well as interactive arena bracelets, used for light shows and hyping up the crowd. Another bonus is you may see your favorite actor, singer or athlete, rooting alongside you.”

How to watch the Knicks and Cavs on TV

Fans hoping to catch Mike Brown’s ballers on the tube can watch all NBA Finals games on ABC and ESPN.

Just make sure to review your local listings before tuning in.

If you don’t have cable, your best bet may be DIRECTV.

Huge concerts at MSG in 2026

Not sure what to do once the final buzzer sounds on the 2025-26 NBA season?

MSG has you covered.

The legendary venue has booked a number of exciting acts to entertain audiences all summer long.

Here are just five of our favorites you won’t want to miss live.

• Bon Jovi (July 7-9, 12, 14, 16, 19, 21, 23, 26)

• Earth, Wind, and Fire with Lionel Richie (July 11)

• Phish (July 22, 24, 25, 27, 29)

• RUSH (July 28, 30, Aug. 1, 3)

• J. Cole (Aug. 2, 4)

Want to see who else is Big Apple-bound? Check out this list of all the upcoming events at Madison Square Garden to find the show for you.

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Why you should trust ‘Post Wanted’ by the New York Post

This article was written by Matt Levy, New York Post live events reporter. Levy stays up-to-date on all the latest tour announcements from your favorite musical artists and comedians, as well as Broadway openings, sporting events and more live shows – and finds great ticket prices online. Since he started his tenure at the Post in 2022, Levy has reviewed a Bruce Springsteen concert and interviewed Melissa Villaseñor of SNL fame, to name a few. Please note that deals can expire, and all prices are subject to change.

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Elmo tried to keep the peace ahead of the 2026 NBA Finals, but Knicks fans were not having it.After the "Sesame Street" star posted on X that he hoped the New York Knicks and San Antonio Spurs would “have fun” before Game 1, fans flooded the replies demanding he pick a side – with many in New York arguing the furry red Muppet should back the hometown team.

The post quickly sparked a wave of viral reactions, as Knicks fans, who've been waiting for decades for another shot at the title, took over the conversation and turned Elmo’s message into a debate over loyalty.

Knicks fans go after Elmo: ‘These streets ain’t sesame’

The Knicks fandom has been going viral for their passionate support for the team, which has not made the NBA Finals since 1999. For context, the team's all-star player, Jalen Brunson, was 3 years old at the time.

Here's how fans responded to Elmo:

"If you don’t say something nice about Jalen Brunson before Game 2 I am going to have to rethink everything I know about who Elmo is," a fan wrote on X.

"This isn't the time for sportsmanship, Elmo," one person wrote. "These streets ain't sesame."

Fast food chain Wendy's even put in its two cents: "NOT NOW ELMO."

"This is your moment to finally pick a side, little buddy. We’ll forgive the neutrality if you rock the orange and blue tonight," another X user posted.

More: Knicks vs. Spurs Game 2 predictions: Will Knicks grab 2-0 NBA Finals lead?

Multiple people pointed out how "Sesame Street" is set in the Big Apple. "Traitor to New York," one reaction stated.

The fans didn't let up: "I'm sorry you getting cursed out for this, Elmo but you're from ... NY rep your city!!!"

"Elmo be serious you're a New Yorker, you know you can't act like this," a post said. Someone else responded: "They're revoking Elmo's New Yorker status in real time." Another added, "Elmo, you’re from the city. Pick a side man."

Elmo eventually responded to the discourse and waved the white flag in a follow-up post, "KNICKS that last message! Elmo didn’t mean to SPUR you on!"

But of course, some fans had to have the final word, including comedian and New York native Desus Nice: "this ain’t a softball team ... pick a side. blood in, blood out."

What was the result of Game 1? Knicks fever at a high

The Knicks defeated the Spurs 105-95 in Game 1 to take an early lead in the best-of-7 series.

After the victory, there were street celebrations outside Madison Square Garden. Even NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani was spotted wearing a Knicks jersey under his suit jacket.

The New York Knicks and San Antonio Spurs are playing in Game 2 of the NBA Finals on Friday, June 5, at the Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Texas. Tip-off is scheduled for 8:30 p.m. ET.

Contributing: Lorenzo Reyes, USA TODAY

Taylor Ardrey is a news reporter for USA TODAY. You can reach her at tardrey@usatodayco.com.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Elmo’s NBA Finals post sparks backlash from Knicks fans

Welcome to our annual Lakers season in review series, where we’ll look back at each player on the team’s roster this season and evaluate if they should be part of the future of the franchise. Today, we continue our series with a look at Jake LaRavia. 

With the NBA Finals in full swing, one can’t help but notice how many good players the Knicks and Spurs have at their disposal.

This is, of course, not a controversial observation. But it is rather the latest example of how important depth still is to winning from both a quantity and quality perspective.

The Lakers actually took a significant step forward in this regard with their roster this season. All of their notable free-agent additions hit to varying degrees, and each made a credible case why they should be back in the fold next year as well. 

Among those players is Jake LaRavia. While not a household name like Deandre Ayton or Marcus Smart, LaRavia’s gritty and versatile play showed why he warranted being the Lakers’ first call in free agency last summer.

However, like the Lakers themselves, there was ultimately a ceiling to LaRavia’s effectiveness, an unfortunate truth that was crystallized when the team needed him the most.

How did they play?

Before diving into how he played, it’s wise to acknowledge when LaRavia played, which turned out to be a lot and all the time.

As the only player to appear in all 82 games this past season for the Lakers, LaRavia’s doggedness and durability were a breath of fresh air for a team that has been riddled with injuries in recent years. His constant presence on the floor was also a result of his biggest role to date.

After previously playing on middling and rebuilding franchises, LaRavia arrived in Los Angeles in search of a bigger spotlight. And that is exactly what he got with the Lakers, as, alongside games played, LaRavia also posted career highs in minutes.

It was easy to see why JJ Redick and the rest of the coaching staff quickly entrusted LaRavia with opportunities. From the start, the 25-year-old played with motor, toughness and a level of versatility that made him a useful part of nearly any lineup.

A true master of none, LaRavia performed his best when he could leave his fingerprints all over the court. He finished the year in the 75th percentile in block%, 84th percentile in steal%, 90th percentile in offensive rebound% and was tied for first on the team in deflections. 

Unfortunately, LaRavia’s erratic 3-point shooting would end up preventing him from playing even more. Following three seasons of shooting 40% or better from beyond the arc, LaRavia converted a career-low 32% of his threes in the regular season.

His inability to keep defenses honest eventually became detrimental in the playoffs as his minutes (13.5) and effective field-goal percentage (34.5%) plummeted.

Noticeably looking off his shot, LaRavia’s lack of confidence came at a suboptimal time given the injuries to the team’s key offensive engines. It became such an issue that Redick ultimately opted not to play him in two games.

If the poor shooting proves to be an outlier rather than a new trend, LaRavia could become exponentially more valuable. If it continues, it could be the very thing that jeopardizes his upside and future with the Lakers.

What are their contract situations moving forward?

LaRavia is one of just six Lakers who have guaranteed deals heading into next season. But there is nothing guaranteed about his future in Los Angeles.

After signing a straightforward two-year, $12 million deal back in July, LaRavia is set to earn just $6 million this upcoming campaign before becoming an unrestricted free agent the following offseason cycle.

Externally, the combination of his team-friendly salary and expiring nature could make him an attractive trade chip. Internally, LaRavia and his contract could also be the exact player and price point the Lakers will look to surround Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves with going forward.

Should they be back?

With so much uncertainty about how the roster will look heading into the new year, it is still difficult to conceive a scenario where LaRavia wouldn’t deserve to have a spot on whatever shape it ultimately takes.

He certainly shouldn’t be off limits if a trade presents itself, but the Lakers also shouldn’t be actively looking to move off a young player with his skill set and intangibles either. Especially given his comparability to the team’s stars on and off the court.

The Lakers were an impressive +12.2 when LaRavia, Doncic and Reaves were on the floor this season. And it is worth noting that LaRavia shares the same agent as Reaves. Before signing with the Lakers, Reaves also publicly recruited LaRavia.

Given Reaves is set to be paid as one of the team’s cornerstone stars, what he says and does could start to have some sway in which players find a long-term home with the Lakers. 

Ultimately, LaRavia must rely on only himself if Los Angeles is where he wants to be going forward. The scrappiness and connectivity he plays with have to continue. But if he wants to become the type of player who not only can survive in the playoffs but be counted on, he must also grow.

All stats courtesy of Cleaning the Glass unless otherwise stated. You can follow Alex on Bluesky at @alexregla.bsky.social

For the next month before the 2026 NBA Draft, we’ll take an in-depth look at different prospects here at Liberty Ballers and try to figure out which players would be the best fit for the Sixers at No. 22. Next up in this series is Baylor’s Cameron Carr.

Carr is coming off a breakout season at Baylor, where he set a school scoring record averaging 18.9 points per game despite the Bears finishing a disappointing 17-17. The Tennessee transfer arrived in Waco largely under the radar, with five-star freshman Tounde Yessoufou expected to be the program’s top NBA prospect. Carr flipped that script entirely. He now projects as a mid-to-late lottery pick, with most mocks slotting him somewhere in the 15-22 range heading into June. The Sixers sit at 22, and if Carr is still on the board, it would be hard to pass on a player with his upside at that spot.

Profile

2023-24 Stats: 34 games, 33.7 minutes, 18.9 points, 5.1 rebounds, 2.6 assists, 0.9 steals, 1.3 blocks, 49.4% FG, 37.4% 3P, 80.1% FT

Team: Baylor

Year: Junior

Position: SG/SF

Height & Weight: 6’4.5” | 184.4 lbs

Born: November 21, 2004 (21 years old)

Hometown: Eden Prairie, Minnesota

Strengths

When it comes to Cameron Carr, there’s a lot to like if you’re into freakish athletes with explosiveness and vertical pop. Carr posted a 42.5 inch max vertical at the NBA combine, paired with a 6’4.5″ frame (barefoot) and a nearly 7’1″ wingspan. He’s up there with the best dunkers in this talented draft class, capable of finishing through traffic with no shortage of authority or flair.

He uses his lengthy wingspan well, whether finishing around the rim or posting up against smaller guards, and that same length aids him as a positionally excellent rebounder at 5.8 per game. Even beyond the raw vertical, Carr is a fluid mover with real bend to him. He takes long strides, changes direction quickly, and his north-south explosiveness is genuinely special.

After transferring from Tennessee, Carr took serious steps in rediscovering his game during his redshirt season at Baylor and has become a legitimate go-to scoring option and offensive focal point. He can rock defenders off balance, use crossovers, and change direction suddenly to get by some of the better NCAA defenders.

Many elite NBA scorers showcase a herky-jerky or twitchy style, and there’s reason to believe Carr could be one of those guys with the right refinement. There are few prospects who can showcase a fluid, reliable handle while also carrying a plus wingspan frame.

Carr is also more than capable of hitting shots from range, and the numbers back it up across just about every situation you can put him in. At Baylor, he knocked down 37.4 percent of his threes on high volume, and he lit it up at the NBA combine a few weeks ago, shooting 14 of 25 on the spot-up portion and 22 of 30 on the off-the-dribble segment.

The majority of his three-point attempts have been catch-and-shoot, and what stands out is how little his efficiency drops with a hand in his face. He can also create his own shot off the dribble and has shown he can knock it down in that capacity too. He spots up the majority of the time but his efficiency holds up across just about every play type you can put him in, whether that’s as a pick-and-roll handler, coming off screens, or pulling up in transition. His range is genuinely limitless, extending well beyond the NBA three-point line with real consistency, and his clean, repeatable form suggests none of this is going away at the next level regardless of how he’s used.

Given his perimeter gravity, Carr is excellent at attacking closeouts and turning his off-ball movement into easy buckets. He’s a phenomenal finisher across the board, and his flexibility and body control really shine here. He can elevate, warp around contests, and take creative angles to the rim.

His non-dunk finishing is surprisingly feathery given how explosive the dunking is, and he’s even flashed a usable floater that would be a unique counter for a player of his type. When you give him a path to the rim he’s either finishing a dunk, converting an easy layup, or getting fouled. For a player with his athleticism and off-ball gravity, that kind of efficiency makes him genuinely difficult to game plan for.

One of the more surprising strengths in Carr’s game is his shot-blocking ability. For a guard, he’s one of the better rim protectors you’ll find in the prospect pool, swatting 1.3 blocks per game and providing excellent weakside flashes. He knows how to leverage his wingspan and athleticism on the defensive end, rebounds well for his size, and was productive within Baylor’s defensive schemes. There’s still room to grow defensively, but it’s not for a lack of skill or effort.

Weaknesses

Carr’s defensive consistency is probably the biggest question mark heading into draft night. He flashes real disruptive ability but the sustained focus and attention to detail on that end isn’t always there. He can lose assignments off the ball and has a tendency to struggle navigating screens and staying connected. He’s still filling out his frame too, and the lack of strength and core stability shows up when physical defenders try to bully him through contact at the rim.

Offensively, his development was slow to get going. Two seasons at Tennessee didn’t do him many favors in terms of carving out a real role, and some of that time likely cost him reps he needed. He can still improve as an off-ball scorer, particularly in terms of timing and reading screens. Some of which just comes down to a lack of experience. His shot selection and decision making are inconsistent at times, and while his playmaking is functional, he’s not going to be running an offense anytime soon. Pick-and-roll passing in particular is an area with room to grow.

Defensively, the concerns get more specific when you dig into matchup data. Quicker, shiftier ball handlers can expose some lateral limitations, and while his length does a good job masking certain rotations, on-ball containment and pick-and-roll defense against pro-level guards is a real area of development. NBA guards are faster and better at exploiting angles than anything he faced in college.

Positional Fit

Carr projects as a two at the next level, though his physical tools give him a real chance to defend multiple positions in a way most guards can’t. For now he’s best utilized as a movement shooter with secondary playmaking ability, as he doesn’t have much experience running an offense. His basketball IQ and work ethic leave the door open for that to expand over time, but it’s not something you’d want to lean on early.

Defensively is where things get interesting. His length and explosiveness give him a chance to bother bigger wings, and his toughness and smarts should help that role grow as he adds strength and NBA experience.

Draft Projection

SB Nation mock draft: No. 20, San Antonio Spurs

In this mock, the San Antonio Spurs do it again and land a real blue chip prospect just outside of the lottery. Carr on the Spurs would be a match made in heaven. The Spurs can never have enough shooting alongside Victor Wembanyama, and Carr could lean into his strengths right now: movement shooting, off-ball movement, and slashes to the rim. While they do have a crowded backcourt, the Spurs have the personnel to play three-guard lineups with Stephon Castle and Dylan Harper, both of whom are bigger than 6’5.

Tonight the Knicks return to the court at Frost Bank Center to face the San Antonio Spurs in Game Two of the NBA Finals. In the opening contest, New York fell behind by 14 points in the third quarter before Jalen Brunson and Josh Hart led them on a 24-point turnaround to win 105-95. Joy was felt throughout the land! (Except in The Land, where they’re still ruminating about the result of the Eastern Conference Finals.)

Victor Wembanyama was the biggest reason San Antonio lost Game One. The Knicks had played eight games in 23 days, and while they were rusty after the break (just like at the start of the Eastern Conference Finals), they were rested. Wembanyama, a massive talent in many respects, showed fatigue after multiple grueling rounds to get here. The Defensive Player of the Year watched Karl-Anthony Towns drive past him repeatedly and was seen with his hands on his knees during breaks in the action.

Wembanyama can spur a better outcome by attacking more decisively instead of holding the ball or lobbing bombs from the perimeter. Coach Mitch Johnson said in one of his pressers that his team needs to touch the paint more. Expect that tonight.

Keldon Johnson (the 2026 Sixth Man of the Year), Devin Vassell, and De’Aaron Fox laid a collective egg in the opening tilt, combining for 19 points. A high-ankle sprain is limiting Fox, so his lackluster effort can be forgiven. Odds are good that Vassell will play better through the rest of the series. Johnson, though? He certainly hasn’t looked like the NBA’s best sixth man in the playoffs.

For the good guys, Jalen Brunson missed a bunch of shots but came up huge when it counted, as usual. Captain Clutch forever! Have we totally overlooked the fact that Josh Hart is Dennis Rodman with an offensive upgrade? Someone here should write a piece about that. While New York lost the battle on the boards overall, they secured the most important rebounds, particularly through Hart (14 rebounds!!) and Towns in crucial moments. Karl carried the team through the middle of the game and has won over even the grinchiest of the KAT haters. Mikal Bridges had a quiet night offensively, but his defense is a big reason for his +11. And OG Anunoby was flat offensively, but when he got going—with eight straight points in the second half—he swung the momentum back New York’s way.

What else can be said about Game One? San Antonio’s Julian Champagnie sizzled in the first half, dropping 15 points on 5-of-6 shooting from deep, but Mike Brown schemed up solutions at halftime. After intermission, the sharpshooter from Brooklyn—who traded verbal barbs with fellow borough native Jose Alvarado—managed just a single point, and the Spurs as a whole managed just 40 points. Meanwhile, on the subject of Alvarado, he was great in his minutes, especially when injuries kept Jalen Brunson out of the game for extended periods.

History behooves the ’Bockers to win tonight. Only five teams have ever recovered from a 0-2 Finals deficit, and none has lost the first two Finals games at home and come back to win the championship. ESPN.com likes the Spurs to win at 57%. Fine. We like to be the underdogs. Dismiss New York at your peril, foolish bettors.

Wemby is a challenge even when exhausted. New York wisely made hay whenever he sat, and they will continue to exploit those stretches tonight. The French delight may have underwhelmed in Game One but has a habit of alternating his performances. Look for him to bounce back hard tonight, and for Jalen & the Justice League to be ready. Each team is capable of shooting better than it did in Game One, so get your popcorn ready and prepare for some fireworks. This is a dynamite series so far, and it shows no sign of slowing. Our prediction? Knicks by 10, naturally.

Game Details

Who: New York Knicks (1-0) at San Antonio Spurs (0-1)
Date: Friday, June 5, 2026
Time: 8:30 PM ET
Place: Frost Bank Center, San Antonio, TX
TV: ABC
Follow: @ptknicksblog and bsky