PHILADELPHIA, PA - APRIL 24: The sneakers worn by VJ Edgecombe #77 of the Philadelphia 76ers during the game against the Boston Celtics during Round One Game Three of the 2026 NBA Playoffs on April 24, 2026 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 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
The Oklahoma City Thunder may have the upper hand in this heavyweight Western Conference finals slugfest, but you can be sure the San Antonio Spurs will come out swinging in tonight’s must-win Game 4.
While mounting injuries are taking a toll, there’s still more than enough available talent to deliver another classic installment of this rivalry.
My favorite Thunder vs Spurs props include another Shai Gilgeous-Alexander masterpiece and a bounce-back effort from Stephon Castle.
Read on for my Top 3 NBA picks ahead of this May 24 showdown.
Best Thunder vs Spurs props for Game 4
Player
Pick
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
Over 29.5 points
-112
Stephon Castle
Over 23.5 points + assists
-120
Cason Wallace
Over 11.5 points + rebounds
-120
Game 4 Prop #1: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Over 29.5 points (-112)
The shooting efficiency numbers don’t reflect it, but Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is putting together an outstanding series.
He made all the right reads in Game 3, and it would be no surprise to see the San Antonio Spurs dial back the double teams and traps tonight after being picked apart by the Oklahoma City Thunder's 3-point shooters.
If that results in more one-on-one coverage, SGA has a path to easier mid-range jumpers — and I expect that to translate to his highest points total of these Conference Finals.
His 30-point effort in Game 2 provides a blueprint, and I’m picking Shai to sense the moment here with a chance to take a stranglehold on the series.
Game 4 Prop #2: Stephon Castle Over 23.5 points + assists (-120)
Stephon Castle brings so much to the table for the Spurs, but injuries to De’Aaron Fox and Dylan Harper have piled even more responsibility onto his plate. Predictably, it’s been a bumpy ride, but Castle isn’t backing down from the challenge.
San Antonio is going to load up all the minutes he can handle, and I expect a better shooting night here after his 1-for-8 dud on Friday, even if he doesn’t hit the heights of his 25-8-5 Game 2 stat line.
Castle has nailed this combo Over in three of his last four outings in these playoffs, and his connection with Victor Wembanyama is always a ticket to a few easy assists.
Game 4 Prop #3: Cason Wallace Over 11.5 points + rebounds (-120)
The Thunder’s depth shone through in Game 3, and they’ll need to shuffle those cards again here with Ajay Mitchell out and Jalen Williams still questionable.
That should mean even more minutes for Cason Wallace and Alex Caruso — and I love this Over for Wallace, who made a pair of huge 3-pointers on Friday.
He’s cashed this prop in all three games of this series, as well as two of the final three contests against the Los Angeles Lakers in the previous round.
With the Spurs leaning on guard-heavy lineups, Wallace’s tenacity on both ends of the floor stands out as an X-factor for OKC tonight.
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Cade Cunningham, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Luka Doncic and Victor Wembanyama made the First Team. The Second Team members are Jalen Brunson, Donovan Mitchell, Jaylen Brown, Kevin Durant and Kawhi Leonard.
The last Sixer to make an All-NBA Team before Maxey was Joel Embiid, who earned a First Team spot in his 2022-23 MVP season.
Maxey played through a nagging right pinky finger injury in the playoffs and his production dropped off during the Sixers’ second-round series loss to the Knicks. He still played a major part in the Sixers’ first-round series comeback over the Celtics and averaged 23.7 points, 5.9 assists and 4.0 rebounds in the postseason.
“I think this was a big-time jump and season for me,” Maxey said after the Sixers’ season-ending Game 4 defeat to the Knicks. “I did a good job of doing a lot of different things I wanted to work on last summer. I kind of came out here and executed them. This series was definitely tough for me. … I saw multiple bodies every single night. Every single pick-and-roll, it was a trap. Every single Brunson action, it was a trap. Every single time I got downhill, the entire team was in the paint and I was trying to kick out.
“I’ve got to really watch it because it was definitely one of the hardest series I’ve played in. I’ve got to be better for my teammates no matter what the case is, no matter what the defense is. … Next year I want to do some things off the ball and just not have to be in front of the defense all the time. When you’re in front of the defense all the time, it gives them opportunities to trap me a lot. … I feel like that’s one thing that really good players and great players can do. They can be on the ball and make plays on the ball, but they can also be off the ball and contribute that way, use their gravity that way.
“Drafting (Edgecombe) was huge for myself. He took a lot of pressure off me this season and he’s only going to get better, honestly.”
Jaylen Brown’s stellar 2025-26 season was recognized Sunday night with his second career All-NBA selection.
The Boston Celtics star received Second-Team All-NBA honors alongside Jalen Brunson, Donovan Mitchell, Kevin Durant and Kawhi Leonard. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Luka Doncic, Cade Cunningham, Victor Wembanyama and Nikola Jokic were named to the First Team.
Here’s a look at the full voting results, with Brown finishing as the top vote-getter on the Second Team.
A global media panel of 100 voters selected the 2025-26 Kia All-NBA Team.
With Jayson Tatum (Achilles) out until March 6, Brown embraced his role as Boston’s No. 1 option. The five-time All-Star posted career bests in points per game (28.7), rebounds per game (6.9), and assists per game (5.1).
In what was expected to be a “gap year” for the C’s, Brown led his team to a 56-26 record and the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference.
Brown finished sixth in the NBA MVP race with four fourth-place votes and seven fifth-place votes. Although the Celtics’ run ended with a disappointing first-round playoff exit, Brown called it his “favorite season” of his 10-year NBA career.
Even after his outstanding season, there are question marks surrounding Brown’s future in Boston. The Celtics have been linked to Giannis Antetokounmpo in trade rumors, and any deal for the Milwaukee Bucks superstar would likely require Brown being shipped out of town.
During a recent Twitch stream, Brown made it clear that he’d prefer to remain with the C’s.
“I love Boston. And if it was up to me, I could play in Boston for the next 10 years,” he said.
Brown last earned Second-Team All-NBA honors in 2022-23, when he finished with 26.6 points per game while shooting 49.1 percent from the floor.
PHOENIX, AZ - APRIL 7: Jordan Goodwin #23 of the Phoenix Suns plays defense during the game against the Houston Rockets on April 7, 2026 at PHX Arena 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 2026 NBAE (Photo by Barry Gossage/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The Phoenix Suns may have overachieved in plenty of ways during the 2025-26 season, still, overachieving doesn’t automatically translate to end-of-season recognition. That’s just the reality of how awards work now.
Because of the NBA’s 65 game eligibility rule, Phoenix had a very limited pool of players even eligible for postseason honors. Only Oso Ighodaro, Collin Gillespie, Royce O’Neale, Jordan Goodwin, and Ryan Dunn played in 70 or more games and qualified. So when the NBA released its All-Defensive teams aon May 22, you already knew Phoenix wasn’t going to have much representation.
2025-26 NBA All-Defensive teams:
First team: Victor Wembanyama, Chet Holmgren, Ausar Thompson, Rudy Gobert, Derrick White
Second team: Bam Adebayo, Scottie Barnes, Cason Wallace, Dyson Daniels, OG Anunoby
Someone like Dillon Brooks never really had a chance to be part of the conversation. Brooks played in 56 games, leaving him short of eligibility despite the kind of defensive season that absolutely would’ve warranted attention had he reached the threshold.
But what about Jordan Goodwin? That’s where the conversation gets interesting.
After all, he was one of the better defensive guards in basketball this season. He finished sixth among guards in offensive rebounds per game and seventh among guards in steals. His 110.1 defensive rating speaks for itself. When you isolate rebounding alone, you can absolutely make the argument that no guard in the NBA impacted the glass the way Goodwin did.
Which makes his absence from the All-Defensive voting feel a little perplexing. Not shocking. Perplexing.
A global media panel of 100 voters selected the 2025-26 Kia NBA All-Defensive Team.
When awards voting rolls around, players on national television every week and players with bigger names tend to dominate the conversation. That’s the reality of it. Goodwin spent the year doing a lot of the dirty work that wins games and changes possessions without necessarily creating the kind of headlines that drive national narratives.
Still, not receiving a single vote feels surprising. Especially when you watched him night after night. You saw the hands. The point of attack defense. The rebounding. The hustle plays that turned into extra possessions. The way he consistently made life uncomfortable for opposing guards. The value was obvious in Phoenix.
It’s a question that fellow teammate Collin Gillespie asked via Twitter.
Side note, I do love seeing that kind of support. It’s one of those little things that gives you more confidence heading into the offseason that the Phoenix Suns are going to do everything they can to retain both of these players. Because they’re exactly the kind of depth pieces you want around your core.
I do wonder why, in this day and age of award oversaturation, there are only two All Defensive teams. Why not three? There are three All NBA teams. It feels like another opportunity to recognize players who lean into the unsexy side of basketball and make a real impact doing it.
I also have an issue with the fact that there were three centers on the All Defensive First Team. Maybe that’s the traditional structure. I still don’t love it.
Personal qualms with the NBA award structure aside, there is one potentially positive thing to take from all of this. Had Jordan Goodwin received recognition, it probably would have driven his price up this offseason. For a team towing the luxury tax line, every dollar matters, and if Goodwin had picked up a few votes, it absolutely would have strengthened his case for more money.
And yeah, there’s something kind of sad about that. You catch yourself quietly rooting for a player not to receive recognition because it could help your team financially. That probably says more about the state of the NBA than anything else.
I’ll cool my jets before I spiral into a larger conversation on the league’s philosophical shortcomings, and there are plenty.
I’ll simply end here. I appreciated everything Jordan Goodwin brought to Phoenix this season. He won the Marley Hustle Award, easily outplayed the value of his contract, and became the personification of a team that competed with grit, connectivity, and attitude.
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Thunder Game 4 computer picks
Alex Caruso Under 10.5 points (-120)
Projection: 8.18 points
This may seem daunting after watching Alex Caruso in the first few games of this series, but the guard is due for regression.
Caruso went under this number in six of eight prior playoff games, and the San Antonio Spurs will do what they can to shut him down, along with the rest of the OKC bench.
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Isaiah Hartenstein Over 6.5 points (+102)
Projection: 7.86 points
After playing just 12 minutes in Game 1, Isaiah Hartenstein has played 20+ minutes in back-to-back outings. His increased floor time will lead to more shots, pushing him Over this total.
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Gilgeous-Alexander Under 7.5 assists (Odds)
Projection: 6.51 assists
With Ajay Mitchell out and Jalen Williams questionable, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is going to have to take on a much bigger offensive role. He'll be looking to shoot more, which should cut into his assists.
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Spurs Game 4 computer picks
Julian Champagnie Over 10.5 points (-105)
Projection: 11.72 points
Julian Champagnie has played his part well for the Spurs this season, and he's currently shooting 39% from three. As the Oklahoma City Thunder look to close in on Wemby, Champagnie will be there to knock down outside looks.
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De-Aaron Fox Over 14.5 points (-125)
Projection: 16.02 points
De-Aaron Fox returned from injury and still put up 15 points in Game 3. He's eclipsed this total in all but one playoff game so far, and he'll do so again tonight.
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Victor Wembanyama Over 24.5 points (-120)
Projection: 26.86 points
Victor Wembanyama knows he has to dominate if his team has any chance of winning. Going back to Oklahoma City down 3-1 is a death sentence, and Wemby will go all out to secure the win for San Antonio.
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How to watch Thunder vs Spurs Game 4
Location
Frost Bank Center, San Antonio, TX
Date
Sunday, May 24, 2026
Tip-off
8:00 p.m. ET
TV
NBC
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Karl-Anthony Towns (32) running across the basketball court during an NBA game as fans watch from the stands.
The only thing more unbelievable than the Knicks’ 10-game win streak through the playoffs are the ticket prices at Madison Square Garden.
It looks like two tickets for a potential Game 3 at The Garden in the NBA Finals have already been sold after the Knicks went up 3-0 on the Cavaliers with a chance to make the Finals for the first time since 1999.
According to sports business reporter Darren Rovell, two courtside tickets have been sold on StubHub for a staggering $279,804.
The first two courtside seats have sold for the first Knicks Finals home game at Madison Square Garden in 27 years.
The secondary ticket market for a Knicks Finals game has some eye-popping prices just for a chance to see these Knicks try to snap the franchise’s 53-year championship drought.
The cheapest price for a single ticket to Game 3 of the Finals at MSG is $3,265 as of Sunday morning on Tick PIck. That seat in is in section 418.
Fans who want to get closer to the action will find prices as high as $192,000 at Seat Geek to sit in Section 6 D behind the Knicks bench. Believe it or not, that’s more money than a few 1-bed, 1-bath apartments in midtown Manhattan listed on Zillow.
Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post
How does that compare to the two teams in the Western Conference finals?
If the Thunder make the Finals, they would host Game 1 at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City and the highest ticket price on the secondary market for that game is currently $12,339 for a seat in Section 106.
Prices for a good seat at a potential Finals Game 1 with the Spurs hosting are a bit higher. The most expensive tickets at Frost Bank Center in San Antonio are a center court seat in Section 8 for $21,803 at Seat Geek and a $29,126 Box seat.
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In both cases, the get-in price for a potential Game 1 at either area is around $1,000, which is a third of the price of the cheapest seat at The Garden.
New York took over in Game 3 with a 121-108 win behind Jalen Brunson's 30 points and Mikal Bridges' 20. The Knicks have won 10 straight games with nine of them by double digits, including five consecutive and all three in this series.
The Knicks are one game away from its first NBA Finals appearance since 1999. With a win, New York will have a nice rest advantage over the winner of the Spurs and Thunder. In the Game 3 win, the Knicks held Cleveland to 29% from three and the Knicks hit 39% from deep and 56% from the field. New York got a boost from Landry Shamet with 14 points in 28 minutes, which was more than the rest of the bench (9 points). The Knicks are a short favorite in Game 4.
Cleveland had four starters score at least 17 points in Game 3, but it wasn't enough. The Cavaliers lost its second home game of the playoffs and a third means the season is over. Cleveland has struggled from the free throw line in the series, going 67.6% overall and 63% in Game 3 (12/19). Cleveland will have a tough act to follow up with how hot the Knicks are.
Let’s 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 Live: Cavaliers vs. Knicks
Date: Monday, May 25, 2026
Time: 8:10 PM EST
Site: Rocket Arena
City: Cleveland, OH
Network/Streaming: ESPN
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Game Odds: Cavaliers vs. Knicks
The latest odds as of Sunday courtesy of DraftKings:
Moneyline: New York Knicks (-130), Cleveland Cavaliers (+110)
Spread: Cavaliers -2.5
Total: 217.5 points
This game opened Cavaliers -1.5 with the 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: Cavaliers vs. Knicks
Cleveland Cavaliers
PG James Harden
SG Donovan Mitchell
SF Dean Wade
PF Evan Mobley
C Jarrett Allen
New York Knicks
PG Jalen Brunson
SG Josh Hart
SF Mikal Bridges
PF OG Anunoby
C Karl-Anthony Towns
Injury Report: Knicks vs. Cavaliers
Cleveland Cavaliers
None
New York Knicks
None
Important stats, trends and insights: Cavaliers vs. Knicks
New York is 54-42 ATS
New York is 51-45 to the Under
New York is 12-19 ATS as a road favorite
New York is 16-15 to the Under as a road favorite
Cleveland has the second worst ATS record at 39-59
Cleveland is 49-50 to the Under on the season
Cleveland is 21-28 ATS at home, ranking second-worst
Cleveland is 26-22 to the Under at home
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 Monday’s Cavaliers and Knicks’ game:
Moneyline: Rotoworld Bet is leaning towards a play on the Knicks’ Moneyline
Spread: Rotoworld Bet is leaning towards a play on the Knicks -1.5 ATS
Total: Rotoworld Bet is leaning towards a play on the Game Total UNDER 217.5
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The New York Knicks have looked unstoppable for most of their series with the Cleveland Cavaliers, and my Knicks vs. Cavaliers predictions for tonight expect the sweep to be completed.
Read on for my free NBA picks for Game 4 on Monday, May 25, with tip-off set for 8 p.m. ET on ESPN.
UPDATE: Added a prediction for who will win tonight.
Knicks vs Cavaliers Game 4 prediction
Who will win Knicks vs Cavaliers Game 4?
Knicks: The Cleveland Cavaliers have looked thoroughly outclassed in the Conference Finals, and the New York Knicks lead them in shooting efficiency, rebounds, steals, and turnover margin.
The Knicks’ depth and versatility on both ends of the floor have fueled the team’s 10-game win streak. All 10 victories have come by 6+ points, with nine by double digits.
Cleveland looked wholly defeated at the end of Game 3 and gave up on its final defensive possessions. New York is in full control, and it’ll close this series tonight.
Knicks vs Cavaliers best bet: Knicks -2 (-110)
The New York Knicks can attack in a variety of ways, as all five starters are averaging 14+ points.
Cleveland has struggled to move the ball effectively, and New York’s size and rebounding depth have largely neutralized the Cavs’ double-big advantage of Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley.
I expect a comfortable victory, and I’ll bet this line up to 4.5, making it a strong wager at -2.
Game 1 totaled 219 points, but it took overtime to get there, and Game 2 went Under. New York’s stifling defense has dominated this series, and I don’t expect many points from the struggling Cavs. I like this line at 217, but I’ll bet it down to 215.5.
Bridges has averaged 26.1 PRA across his last eight games, clearing this combo line seven times. Cleveland’s lackluster defense won’t offer much resistance, particularly in transition as he scores and facilitates. I expected this line to be priced at 23.5, making it a solid value play.
Knicks vs Cavaliers SGP
Knicks -2
Under 217
Mikal Bridges Over 21.5 points + rebounds + assists
Our "from downtown" SGP: Team effort
Cleveland’s defense has allowed opponents to hit 37% of 3-pointers. Miles McBride only needs a pair of triples to cash this prop. I’m also willing to take a chance on his 3-point line at +150.
Anunoby is shooting a blistering 50.9% from distance and can exploit Cleveland’s defensive shortcomings.
New York’s 10-game heater has featured Towns as a key facilitator. His 30% assist percentage is significantly higher than his regular-season mark of 23.6%.
Cleveland sports a modest 47.9% rebound percentage, and Hart can grab 8+ boards as he’s done in eight of 13 appearances.
Over/Under: Over 218.5 (-110) | Under 218.5 (-110)
Knicks vs Cavaliers betting trend to know
The Knicks are 9-1 ATS across their 10-game win streak. Find more NBA betting trends for Knicks vs. Cavaliers.
How to watch Knicks vs Cavaliers Game 4
Location
Rocket Arena, Cleveland, OH
Date
Monday, May 25, 2026
Tip-off
8 p.m. ET
TV
ESPN
Knicks vs Cavaliers latest injuries
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Milwaukee Bucks co-owner Jimmy Haslem made it clear: He wants the future of Giannis Antetokounmpo with the Bucks decided by the June 23 NBA Draft. A date now less than a month away. It makes sense, a number of teams that might throw their 2026 first-round pick in the mix (Heat, Lakers, others) want to know, too.
Where do things stand now? Here are some of the latest reports and news around Antetokounmpo and a possible trade.
Is market for Antetokounmpo tepid?
At February's trade deadline, Milwaukee Bucks general manager Jon Horst gauged the market for an Antetokounmpo trade but, as league sources told NBC Sports, he didn't appear serious about making a deal. Now, as we are less than a month out from the NBA Draft, the Bucks are "open for business" and more seriously considering trade offers for the two-time MVP.
Did the Bucks make a mistake waiting? More and more, the buzz in league circles is that, while the Bucks are serious, the market for Antetokounmpo is much more tepid. The thought was the summer market would be better with more teams and better offers in the mix, but that appears not to be the case. For example, the Knicks were considered potential suitors, but they are on the verge of making the NBA Finals for the first time this century, they are not going to blow up what they have for Antetokounmpo.
"I had breakfast with an agent, a very high-powered agent the other day, and he was like, ‘I’m still betting no trade.’ And I said really? And he said, 'Just go through the exercise. Who has enough stuff and would be good enough with Giannis Antetokounmpo to contend right away?'"
Antetokounmpo wants to stay in the East and contend, but what option gives him that? (Keep reading for more talk about those teams.) If nothing appealing to him on the table, does he just take the larger check that the Bucks can offer (four years, $275 million) and call it a day?
League sources NBC Sports spoke with still expect Antetokounmpo to be traded this offseason, but maybe that is not as certain as it once seemed.
Cavaliers not interested in Mobley trade
Cleveland is getting its head handed to it by the Knicks in the Eastern Conference Finals (the Cavaliers are down 0-3 as of this writing) and realizes it needs to make changes this offseason if they want to compete at the top of the East next season with New York, a healthy Boston, a healthy Indiana and others.
Milwaukee wants a blue-chip young player and multiple first-round picks in return for any Antetokounmpo trade, but the problem is the only player who fits that bill in Cleveland is Evan Mobley, and Joe Varden writes at The Athletic that the former Defensive Player of the Year is not likely to be moved.
Otherwise, you’re looking at something drastic like trading Evan Mobley for Giannis Antetokounmpo — though two league sources say Cleveland has shown no interest in that move as of now.
Don't bet on that changing. Cleveland will extend Donovan Mitchell and James Harden this offseason (some kind of Harden extension had to be agreed to before he was traded there, or the deal would not have happened), and trading 24-year-old Mobley for a 31-year-old Antetokounmpo with an injury history is just not a smart trade.
Boston may not be interested, either
The team at the heart of Antetokounmpo trade chatter in recent weeks was the Boston Celtics, after they were bounced in the first round of the East playoffs. What was clear is that the Celtics need to put more pressure on the rim, and nobody puts pressure on the rim like Antetokounmpo. The idea would be a Jaylen Brown for Antetokounmpo trade (because people will forever want to split up Brown and Jayson Tatum, even though they won a title together).
"I think Giannis wants to go to Boston, and I’m not sure Boston wants Giannis. I think that’s the push and pull right now. I think he wants to stay in the East. I think a certain guy on the Celtics has the same shooting coach as him. I think there’s a lot of respect for the organization. I just think that would be a team he would be interested in."'
Boston won a title two years ago, but knowing that Tatum would be out for much of the coming season, the Celtics made a number of cost-cutting moves heading into this season, trading away their entire front line (Kristaps Porzingis, Al Horford, Luke Kornet) plus guard Jrue Holiday. While Neemias Queta stepped up and proved he could take on a larger role and be a solid center on a playoff team, Boston knows it is a few roster moves away from contending again. But moves it can make without blowing everything up.
Does adding Antetokounmpo to a team known for spacing the floor with 3-point shooting everywhere make sense? Is that the direction Boston wants to go, or does it just need some front-line help and a more traditional guard? Trading for Antetokounmpo is a big change, maybe one Boston does not want to take.
Miami still interested
The team at the front of the line to land Antetokounmpo remains the Miami Heat. They are interested, and can put together a trade package centered around Tyler Herro, Kel'el Ware, three first-round picks, including the 13th pick in this draft (Miami has to make the pick, then trade the player after the draft), and they can throw in the swap rights for other years.
"Basically, it will be up to the Heat to either blow away the Bucks with an offer, or to turn to alternative plans... The problem would be the Heat then losing the option of utilizing the No. 13 pick next month to select for the Bucks. What the Heat can’t afford is to draft a player they believe the Bucks eventually would want, only to see the Bucks move on to an alternative trade package elsewhere down the road. In other words, no repeat of selecting Shabazz Napier in the 2014 first round to appease LeBron James, only to have LeBron walk in free agency weeks later."
The main alternative plan is to wait until the summer of 2027, when the Heat could create a lot of cap space and go after potential free agents.
One way or another, we are a month out from a Giannis Antetokounmpo trade, or teams are going to pull out, and the two-time MVP likely takes the money to stay where he is. Something he has done every other time he's been in this situation before.
Neemias Queta embodied the Celtics’ season while speaking in the locker room following their Game 7 loss earlier this month. He showed so much promise and growth until it stalled against the Sixers. Foul trouble left him off the floor for most of the series, again raising questions of Boston’s front court despite a 56-win regular season.
“It starts with me, me being better,” Queta said. “But it’s just the nature of the job as a center — you’re in a lot of positions where you can get fouls. Whether it’s ball screens, whether it’s box-outs, whether it’s one-on-one defense, protecting the rim as well … I gotta start looking at myself, being better, first and foremost, and after that, it’s being consistent. I’ve shown flashes.”
The flash came in the form of a full regular season where Queta stayed healthy, logging 76 games, and emerged as one of the league’s most efficient starting centers at 26. He averaged 25.3 minutes per game, up from 13.9, with 10.2 points, 8.4 rebounds and 1.3 blocks each night on 65.3% shooting.
His fouls from 5.4 times per 36 minutes in his first season with Boston to 4.0, a process that began in his native Portugal after the Celtics traded Kristaps Porzingis and saw both Al Horford and Luke Kornet depart in free agency. He was preparing for the EuroBasket tournament, where he needed to play as his team’s offensive hub. In Boston, Queta would almost certainly become the Celtics’ starter, having spent the previous two seasons learning between the G-League and Boston’s bench.
“You have to give him credit,” Joe Mazzulla said in March. “Part of telling him in the summer that he was going to be the starting center was giving him the time to properly wrap his mind around it. Physically, mentally, and emotionally prepare himself for what it means to be the starting center for the Celtics. And I think he’s taken on that ownership and responsibility well, and he’s got to keep it going. He has a responsibility now to continue to get better, regardless of the process. In less than 24 hours, we have to do it again, and then on. He cares about winning, he cares about getting better.”
SACRAMENTO, CA – JANUARY 1: Head Coach Joe Mazzulla of the Boston Celtics coaches Neemias Queta #88 during the game against the Sacramento Kings on January 1, 2026 at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Watching Queta juggle those two responsibilities in Lisbon became an all-day affair last July while I attended his week-long basketball camp. Queta worked out in the morning, attended most of the camp sessions where he interacted with hundreds of kids, only breaking for a few hours to receive treatment and rest. Then, he returned to close out the days and train again before the sun set, tossing up hook shots, post jumpers, threes and more as he moved between offensive and defensive drills. The sessions often left Queta drenched and laid out on the gym floor as dinnertime approached. But even with the option to skip the final session, he chose to run sprints and get up more shots.
That trip made it clear what motivated Queta. His role as Portugal’s first and only NBA player ever attracted well-wishers and many more who wanted photos from athletes at his tiny old Barraleinse youth basketball gym to an older couple at a local favorite restaurant. His work ethic was born from the struggles of his parents, who immigrated from Guinea-Bissau; his late father Djaneuba lived abroad to work while his mother Mica spent most of the day traveling to Lisbon by ferry to earn money in the city. A mural that stretched the height of an apartment building in the neighborhood Vale da Amoreira where he grew up encapsulated that responsibility. Taking over the center position for one of the world’s most popular franchises only added to that pressure.
“It’s not really what we were expecting, but we’re in a position where I’m growing, I’m developing at a steady pace and with big responsibilities comes the demand of I need to show out every day … I’ve been working on it and I feel like I’m getting ready for it … I think I’ll step up for the occasion and all the other guys as well. We’re not really the group that everybody points out as the best,” Queta told me last summer. “We’re here to prove them otherwise.”
Queta did that between leading Portugal to EuroBasket’s knockout stage through battles with Alperen Sengun, Nikola Jokic and Porzingis in group play, albeit while watching the clinching game from the locker room following a controversial ejection. He finished fourth in Most Improved Player voting, received All-Defensive team votes and led the Celtics in net rating with Boston finishing as the league’s best team at deterring opponents from shooting at the rim. Steph Noh’s salary projection site assessed Queta’s contributions as worthy of $29.3 million this year under the current salary cap — he made the league minimum.
The 76ers erased that impact quickly by taking Queta off the floor. He logged only 15 minutes in the Celtics’ blowout win to open the series after picking up early fouls guarding Tyrese Maxey and Paul George. Deadline addition Nikola Vučević, a hedge against injuries or inconsistency at the position into the postseason, closed Game 2 in his place and received the bulk of the Game 3 minutes. Joel Embiid returned in Game 4 and drew two fouls in less than three minutes, taking him out again. Back court fouls frustrated Mazzulla, moving screens added to the trouble and Embiid barreled through anyone the Celtics placed in his way between Games 5 and 6. Queta finished the series with 4.1 fouls per 36 minutes.
“The big ones are some plays, it’s hard if somebody’s driving at him and he’s jumping vertical,” Vučević said. “Or he’s battling in the post, things like that, that just happens. But I think the ones where they get the rebound and we have to get back on defense and he’s trying to steal the ball, things like that, little cheap ones those could help him.”
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – MAY 02: Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers looks to shoot in front of Neemias Queta #88 of the Boston Celtics during the first quarter in Game Seven of the First Round of the NBA Eastern Conference Playoffs at TD Garden on May 02, 2026 in Boston, Massachusetts. 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 Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) | Getty Images
By Game 7, Mazzulla replaced Queta in the starting lineup with Luka Garza as part of bold, sweeping changes to the starting lineup. Queta responded with 17 points, 12 rebounds and a full fourth quarter effort with his fellow regular contributors. He survived most of the frame with five fouls, but it was too little, too late.
The Celtics will now assess Queta’s strides with his postseason shortcomings, similar to most of the rest of the roster that came up short in the first round. Queta’s emergence still emphasizes an astounding drafting, scouting and development job by the Celtics front office under Brad Stevens. Queta arrived in Boston on a two-way contract in 2023 and logged only his first 30-minute NBA game in 2024-25. Game 7 marked his 13th of the 2026 season, showing strides in the pick-and-roll once Jayson Tatum returned that’ll keep him in play to retain his starting spot.
For Queta, a final season playing on the three-year, minimum deal that he signed following the championship season comes with a team option that could allow he and the team to discuss a long-term deal as soon as this summer. That would’ve been a no-brainer at one time, and now, Queta might find himself in a familiar territory to the one he found himself in when the Sacramento Kings waived him three years ago: proving himself all over again.
“(The playoffs) were different,” Queta admitted. “I was on the bench a lot of times. I can be better with that, fouls and all that … obviously, the game slows down, you’re playing the same team over-and-over again. They understand your tendencies and know your scout, running plays is harder-and-harder, game-by-game. I think that’s the main thing. You go through the same team over and over again, there aren’t as many breakdowns offensively and defensively, and the attention to detail is more there.”
CLEVELAND, OHIO - MAY 23: Travis Kelce (R) of the Kansas City Chiefs reacts as Singer Taylor Swift (L) looks on during the fourth quarter in Game Three between the New York Knicks and the Cleveland Cavaliers in the NBA Eastern Conference Finals at Rocket Arena on May 23, 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 Jason Miller/Getty Images) | Getty Images
There are whispers out there…
…they say it’s virtually the same to go 3-0 and clinch a Finals berth.
Sit tight and rest. Mad times are coming.
Mike Brown was asked if he feels like the Knicks' path through the playoffs so far has been a little bit on the easier side:
On getting back to Karl-Anthony Towns as the offensive hub in Game 3:
“KAT, he was our hub offensively: seven assists, zero turnovers. He was really good for us offensively and defensively with three steals, but his ability to fire back in the pick-and-roll situation was really good.”
On Mikal Bridges and OG Anunoby imposing their will:
“I told (Bridges) and OG, because I don’t call a ton of play-calls, you guys got to find different ways to impose your will on the game. They’re both doing a phenomenal job of imposing their will on the game.”
On OG Anunoby’s performance:
“OG was fantastic. He had some timely buckets for us, play after play after play.”
On Mikal Bridges’ defensive feel:
“What makes him special on that end of the floor is that he’s a big long guard so he doesn’t have to always get all the way up in you to defend. He’s got a great feel, extremely smart. Mikal got to his spots all night. He hit big shot after big shot and on top of that, he had six rebounds and then trying to defend James, a Hall of Famer, without fouling him. Just a really good ballgame from Mikal.”
On what changed with Mikal Bridges:
“Just his aggression. But I also have to help him by putting him in position to be able to make plays, to make plays for himself, make plays for his teammates, but he just started to impose his will on the game a little bit more while I also tried to make sure I called his number every once in a while, make sure he stays in the flow, because he has a tough assignment every day defensively. He gets out and runs, he slips pick-and-rolls and re-spaces. And so I have to make sure that I continue to involve him offensively to let him know that, hey, we know you can do this for us, so go do it.”
On Landry Shamet’s impact in Game 3:
“Landry was huge. And then on the other end of the floor, he’s gotta match up with a guy like Donovan Mitchell, who is a tough cover for anybody. You’re not gonna stop him but you gotta work your tail off. Landry’s trying to work.”
On the team staying locked in amid the season-long adjustments he brought to New York:
“You know what? They’ve been fantastic trying to pay attention to all the details that we’ve been throwing at them. And we’ve thrown a lot of adjustments offensively and defensively at them throughout the course of these playoffs. And to still see them locked in and try to be focused on the details at hand, again, that just speaks volumes of my coaching staff and the way that they’re presenting and changing and all that stuff. But more so about these players and their want to go try to get a ring.”
On whether or not the Knicks have had an easy path through the Eastern Conference bracket:
“No. Not at all. This is hard. We’re playing good teams.”
On the value of having a deep bench during the season:
“They both always used to say, ‘it’s not about now, it’s about the postseason.’”
On Dolan and Rose deserving their flowers:
“Mr. Dolan and Leon Rose, they’re just as big a part of this thing as I am or Jalen is or anybody else is, for sure.”
Jalen Brunson was asked if he wants to ask the NYPD to re-consider their decision to cancel the watch party outside Madison Square Garden:
“You don’t look ahead. You deal with what’s in front of you.”
On Knicks fans invading Cleveland:
“Knicks fans travel. They’re going to be heard no matter what building we’re in.”
On staying focused despite fan excitement:
“I mean, they’re probably excited. Rightfully so, but we have a job to do and we have things that we need to focus on. That’s on them being them, but we have to be locked in to do what we do.”
On the team chemistry during the playoff run:
“We genuinely like playing together. We created a chemistry that’s been great. It’s been a lot of fun.”
On OG Anunoby’s Game 3 performance:
“OG’s playing great. Most importantly, he’s locked-in and he’s doing the things that we know that he’s capable of.”
On the Knicks’ work ethic:
“We have a bunch of individuals in that locker room who work really hard, and they’re very psychotic about their work and the things they do, and that they’re ready physically and mentally.”
On Landry Shamet’s role within the Knicks:
“Big time…True professional…Whatever is asked of him, he shows up, and he does it.”
On the Knicks’ ability to adjust to different game plans:
“I think it’s an advantage for us, learning how to play differently. There are going to be times where one game plan is going to be different than the next. Being able to learn on the fly and adjust on the fly is something that we need to continue to get better at, but I think we’ve been doing a great job with it.”
On the canceled watch party outside MSG:
“That’s a tough one… I’ll come back to you on that one.”
Josh Hart is asked if the Knicks winning 10 straight playoff games feels surreal:
"Nah. We don't think about it that way. We're 1-0 today. Monday, we're 0-0. We're far from our goal." pic.twitter.com/JxOdVifrjE
“We just came out with energy. We knew we had to with it being their first home game with their backs against the wall, their fans were going to be making noise and cheering and supporting them from the start. So we came out aggressive and set the tone, and we just continued to play with that pace throughout the night.”
On Landry Shamet’s Game 3 performance:
“Big shots, amazing defense… he’s a heck of a player.”
On maintaining the right mindset heading into Game 4 with a 3-0 lead:
“We set a tone from the jump. And we never let up. We knew we needed to. We went 1-0 today. Monday, it’ll be 0-0 all over again.”
On expectations around Mikal Bridges:
“The expectations don’t matter. That’s for y’all to talk about. That’s something that, I mean, nothing he can do about it. He didn’t call Leon [Rose] and say, ‘Yo, this is the trade package,’ you know what I mean? He got put into this situation and he hit the ground running. We wouldn’t be here without him. Last year, you can look — how many games has he won for us in terms of getting stops down the stretch, steals, blocks, big shots. He’s won games in every single way for us, and that’s why we want him, that’s why he’s here. The expectations and all that is just background noise.”
On Bridges’ winning mindset:
“He’s all about winning. Everything else doesn’t matter for him. I think that’s why he’s playing well right now. Because he’s not focused on shots, touches, those kinds of things. He’s focused on how can I help this team win? I’m not surprised. Because that’s the player he is. I’ve seen him since he was 17. That’s the kind of person that he is.”
"He's getting the best from us as well as, I think we are getting the best from him."
Karl-Anthony Towns talks about the job Mike Brown has done with the Knicks this season: pic.twitter.com/yKrwp0otO3
“We won all these games in a row as a team. We’ve had this winning streak as a team. We’ve found these ways to get these great wins, even down 22 in Game 1, we came back as a team. As long as we stay together, we stay unified, we feel, we always have felt, the sky is the limit for us.”
On maintaining desperation despite a 3-0 lead:
“It’s the mindset on this team that the next game, we are 0-0. We have to come out with the same desperation as Game 1. Come with that energy and intensity and passion. And on top of that, lean on each other. That’s what got us here. We won all these games in a row as a team. We’ve had this winning streak as a team. We found ways to get these great wins as a team. Down [22] in the first game, we came back as a team. As long as we stay together and stay unified, we feel — we always have felt — the sky’s the limit for us.”
On keeping a 0-0 mentality in the series:
“You have to keep your mind on the task at hand. The game is over and we found a way to win, but you have to have the same desperation like it’s a 0-0 series, just Game 1.”
On adjusting within Game 3:
“We do a great job of adjusting as the game goes along. I have to always be able to adapt to what the game needs from me to win the game. In the first half, it needed me to be a scorer, very aggressive, get to the basket, shoot the ball well and get points. Second half, they adjusted and we adjusted and I had to adjust. The adjustment was more being the hub, making the right passes, getting my teammates involved. … I continue to just feel out the game. The game will tell me what to do.”
On adjusting to Mike Brown this season:
“He’s had to learn us and had to adjust to us and then, on the flip side, we’ve had to do the same as well. I think now we’re at a point where we’re both working seamlessly. We understand each other’s language. And he’s getting the best from us as well as I think we are getting the best from him. And that speaks to a season. Especially a first season with a new coach and a new system and a new philosophy. …Obviously, the players are doing an amazing job. Coming together, showing the unity that was made special last year, with the coaching staff being receptive to the players. Adjusting to us and finding ways to get the most out of us.”
On the team’s offensive flexibility:
“That’s the blessing of our group. We have multiple ways and systems that we can utilize to help us get the win. I’ve been happy because we’ve continued to win.”
On sacrificing to impact winning:
“I’ve always said I’m willing to sacrifice and do whatever it takes to impact winning and help this team win. That’s the blessing of our group. We have multiple ways and systems that we can utilize to help us get the win. I’ve been happy because we’ve continued to win. There’s nothing to be sad about.”
On confidence in Mikal Bridges:
“We never worried about Mikal. We know what he can do. There was never a worry in our locker room about Mikal or anything like that. We know when we need Mikal, he’ll show up just like he did last year in Boston for two big steals. He does a lot of things that don’t end up on the stat sheet that he doesn’t get credit for. Right now, the stat sheet is giving him credit for it, but we always know the impact that he has on our team.”
On OG Anunoby’s All-Defense recognition:
“He’s one of the best defenders in the world and he got robbed of (first-team All Defense)!”
"Just come out with desperation like it's still 0-0"
OG Anunoby talks about the Knicks' mindset going into Game 4 with a 3-0 series lead: pic.twitter.com/b9DKosYZT8
“Just come out with desperation like it’s still 0-0”
On his health improving throughout the series:
“Each day I started feeling better and better. We have a great medical staff. Getting stronger each day. Great team, great coaches. It’s been very collaborative.”
"I just think taking possession by possession and having that 0-0 mentality and playing desperate. I think that's kind of what we brought from Villanova."
Mikal Bridges was asked if there's any similarities between what the Knicks are doing now and what Villanova did: pic.twitter.com/FLgkh314Bj
“Just a team. Team defense. Team effort. Our scouting, our coaches, and everybody being on a string. I think it’s just a habit of guarding him for eight-plus years now. So just learning and grow each time you guard him. So just learning … It’s a lot of reps. A lot of time. And I’m grateful he was in the West when I was in the West, so I got to line up against him a lot of times.”
On pushing through early playoff struggles:
“It was tough because you want to be great at whatever you want to do. A lot of toughness comes from the mental part. I think I’ve been raised the right way, been coached by a lot of the great coaches who talk a lot about mental toughness. And sometimes you got to thrive in it even if you’re struggling. The more you thrive, the better it’s going to be for you.”
On bringing a Villanova mentality to the Knicks:
“I just think taking possession by possession and having that 0-0 mentality and playing desperate. I think that’s kind of what we brought from Villanova.”
On his teammates keeping him confident:
“I’m so close with a lot of guys on this team. Just them just being there and knowing that I want to play better and especially to help the team win. They want that too.”
Miles McBride
On adapting within a playoff series:
“I think you have to just take it game by game. [Teams] are going to make adjustments, and you have to have to stay solid to who you are as a team and a foundation. But when your opponent makes an adjustment, you have to adjust and adapt and figure it out. So I feel like that’s why we get paid what we get paid. So we have to adapt in the moment.”
"We won tonight and we got one more tomorrow to put a team away. We know they're going to give us their best punch. This is the hardest game of the year."
“The ball goes in, I’m thinking about guarding an All-Star on the other end, my assignment defensively, or what we’re doing defensively.”
On the challenge of closing out the Cavs in Game 4:
“We won tonight, and we got one more tomorrow to put a team away. We know they’re going to give us their best punch. This is the hardest game of the year. Sending a team home is the hardest thing to do, especially at this point – there’s no time to sit and celebrate, it’s onto the next one, and how do we go get a win?”
On Mikal Bridges’ versatility:
“In a way, it’s a blessing (that he’s played in different teams with different roles). You’ve been asked to do so many different things in your career. Some nights, Mikal only gets five shots up, but he’s got to guard the best player, run around and keep him under 13 points or something. Each night is something different.”
On the Knicks’ locker room vibes:
“That’s our group, 1 through 15, everybody wants to see each other do well, genuinely. It’s not some locker room banter bullshit, it’s very real with this group. We cheer each other on. It’s a beautiful thing. And that’s what we have.”
Ahead of Game 3 tonight, Knicks’ C Mitchell Robinson (@23savage____) put this message out.
“I’m deleting all apps for a little while until I can get back to myself. I had a very upsetting experience a few days ago. I’m not gonna go into detail about it, just gonna focus on the playoffs and myself. I know some of you have called and texted and it popped up green. That’s because I got a new [phone] number. My mental health is not the best right now but I am fighting to get back on track while playing on the biggest stage in the world in the Eastern Conference finals.”
Kenny Atkinson is asked where the Cavs are at mentally after going down 3-0:
"After Game 2, we were in a good place. This is a tough one. No one is hanging their heads…you never know what can happen." pic.twitter.com/JYGpVXCAn7
“After Game 2, we were in a good place. This is a tough one. No one is hanging their heads…you never know what can happen.”
On possible rotation changes for Game 4:
“Do we extend our rotation? That’s something we could do. Gotta look at it…”
On the Knicks’ being rested while the Cavs are not:
“Listen, there’s no big mystery. Our guys have played 50 percent more minutes than them. If I’m the opposing coach, I’m like, ‘Man, get these guys, run these guys, wear them out, be super physical.’ It’s a good strategy. But we were not sharp in transition. We weren’t sprinting back like we should tonight.”
On leading the Knicks in “expected” shooting:
“I think we won the expected (shooting percentage) all three games. But, you know, there is expected and there’s real.”
On the Knicks’ physicality in Game 3:
“Their physicality was much higher than ours…credit to them. They were into the ball, very handsy, the whole grab-and-hold thing, which is part of it… We struggled to play through that physicality tonight.”
On the Knicks’ momentum in the series:
“They’re playing great basketball. We haven’t been able to stop their momentum. We had one chance in that first game to stop it, but we haven’t been able to halt their momentum.”
On being outplayed in Game 3:
“They were the much better team. They’re on a hell of a run.”
James Harden Postgame After Game 3 Loss vs Knicks:
“[0:00] We could never really get a grip on the game…more times than not they [Knicks] just played a little bit faster & made some shots—[0:20, Little Rest] No excuses but in reality, definitely. You can see it. A lot of open… pic.twitter.com/rUk3rtLvZN
“We’re still confident. Our confidence is never going away. We’re more than capable… Make some shots, and the series turns around.”
On the Knicks dictating pace through the series:
“They played a little bit faster. We never could really get a grip on the game. We had times where we played well both ends of the ball, but just more times than not, they just played a little bit faster, and they made some shots.”
On the balance between offense and defense:
“When you’re not making shots, you put more pressure on your defense. So you’re going to be on defense much more. Then you got to take the basketball out of the rim… Basketball is obviously both sides of the ball. But if we can make some shots, it gives our defense a chance to get back in and set up half-court. So, it’s a balance of both of those things, but they’re a great offensive team. They got a stretch big and they obviously [got Jalen] Brunson handling the ball, so they’re a difficult matchup, but it just makes it more difficult when you’re not making shots. Then you got to keep relying on your defense, which they are good team, so they’re going to score.”
"Get the next one, that's all we can do – backs against the wall"
Evan Mobley after the Cavs go down 3-0 in the Eastern Conference Finals to the Knicks: pic.twitter.com/9JFnKKz3AP
“Get the next one, that’s all we can do—backs against the wall.”
On fatigue in the Eastern Conference Finals:
“There’s definitely a toll there, but we’re in the Eastern Conference Finals, so there’s no excuses right now. There’s no excuse there.”
Donovan Mitchell on hearing "Let's Go Knicks" chants in Cleveland:
"I'm from New York, this doesn't shock me. They do it in every arena. That's how Knicks fans are. I was one back in the day." pic.twitter.com/7UJxC6uVj7
“Let’s start with making some shots, getting some stops, and making some free throws.”
On fatigue being self-inflicted:
“We did it to ourselves.”
On not feeling overmatched by the Knicks:
“I don’t feel like we are overmatched. I hate to harp on it, but we were up 22 (in the fourth quarter of Game 1). So it’s on us. It’s on everyone in that locker room. We know that, we feel that, and we have an opportunity to get Game 4 and go from there.”
On the Game 1 loss impacting the whole outcome of the series:
“Don’t lose Game 1 after being up 22. Changes the entire dynamic of the series. We’re not sitting there and reflecting on that (yet). But if I were to say one thing, it would be that. But hey, it happened, and now we have to find a way to get back from 3-0.”
On hearing Knicks chants in Cleveland:
“I mean, I’m from New York. This doesn’t shock me. They do it in every arena. It’s like Cowboys fans, just who they are. I don’t think it’s a Cleveland thing. Wasn’t just us. You look at Philly… It’s what Knicks fans are. I was one back in the day. So, that had nothing to do with what we got going. Cleveland’s best fans in the world. I stand on that. So, that doesn’t affect that. That doesn’t label who Cleveland is. I have nothing but love for the fans in Cleveland, and we didn’t get it done for our home crowd tonight. And we didn’t get it done, which enables the Knick fans to go off like they did. If we get it done, then they’re silent, right? So, we didn’t do our part. When we ran out, they were loud, and Cleveland fans were behind us, but we didn’t do our part, and that’s the result.”
Jarrett Allen Postgame After Game 3 Loss vs Knicks:
“[0:00] I think they [Knicks] just hit first in the first quarter. They made the first impact in the game then had the energy & effort from there—[0:10, Fatigue & A Lot of Games] It’s been wearing on us for awhile but like you… pic.twitter.com/gvhoLMxSMw
“We just have to realize that they’re gonna come—they’re gonna come deep.”
On the Cavs’ defense suffering when shots don’t fall:
“When you don’t hit shots, your defense suffers. That’s just how a player’s mentality is. We can’t let that happen, though. We have to understand that we’re going to hit shots, eventually.”
The NYPD has canceled watch parties outside Madison Square Garden due to 'rowdiness' from Knicks fans, per the New York Post.
As many as 6,000 fans have congregated around the parties, with six arrests being made during Game 2. pic.twitter.com/TDKuuBrFVD
“We have seen progressively more problematic issues at the watch parties outside MSG — there were six arrests [Thursday] night alone. The NYPD will not support more watch parties outside the stadium, but we will continue to review requests to support parties at alternate sites like Summer Stage.”
On crowd behavior and safety concerns:
“The crowds are very rough, with people jumping police barriers and throwing things into the crowd, including glass bottles. The crowds blocked vehicle traffic on 34th and 33rd Streets and 7th Avenue. Additionally, people climbed on top of subway entrances and there was drinking in the street. This is not about having enough of the unruly fans — this is about keeping people safe.”
Nah man they made a commercial for the ‘Unethical Hoops’ operation board game 🤣
OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA - MAY 20: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander #2 of the Oklahoma City Thunder drives around Stephon Castle #5 of the San Antonio Spurs during the first quarter in Game Two of the NBA Western Conference Finals at Paycom Center on May 20, 2026 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Alex Slitz/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Fraternizing with the Enemy, my series-long conversation with Cray Allred of the Daily Thunder, continues with the Spurs down 1-2 heading into a Sunday night matchup with a ton on the line.
J.R.
After running out to a 15 point lead, the Spurs were outscored by 30 points in about 45 minutes. After the game there were a multitude of ideas tumbling through my head, and when I woke up I found that the tangle of thoughts had been kindly organized into several discrete easily numerated actions. So I decided to make a list.
J.R. Wilco’s Realistic Dos and Don’ts
Do
Prioritize Fox/Harper/Castle in PNRs with Wemby
Feed Wemby when he’s close to the hole
Stay on the ground on SGA fakes
Get the ball to Wemby on the move
Don’t
Leave guys alone on the three point line (unless you are Wemby, and it better not be Caruso)
Turn the ball over so much
Just stand around at the three point line
Forget what got you here
I call this list realistic because I’ve only chosen things that the team has already demonstrated that it can do against the Thunder. What do you think of the list and what is your reaction to Game 3?
Cray
That’s a pretty good list. I’m riding pretty high after that win, but I know that there are several of those correctable items that San Antonio coukd very well fix. After Game 2, I was prepared for an energy and momentum swing to boost the Spurs at home. It clearly did for those first five minutes, but I couldn’t believe it evaporated before the second quarter was finished.
I would guess a mixture of exhaustion, inexperience, and personnel are to blame for the Spurs falling apart after that 15-0 burst. Fox and Harper could get healthier. San Antonio can get Wemby moving to his most effective. And the home crowd+postseason desperation could put the wind back in their sails.
What I am less sure of: whether more disciplined defense on Shai will actually slow him down. As he did in the first two rounds, he’s mastering the most aggressive and attentive defensive looks as the series goes on. San Antonio might lay off more and foul less, but that doesn’t mean he won’t punish them with more buckets. Give SGA an inch and he’ll take a mile, whether that’s room for his jumper, illegal limbs in his airspace, or freedom for his teammates.
Do you think the rest of the series will be dictated more by the bench play, or more by Shai and Wemby?
J.R.
Sounds like you’re saying, “Exhaustion, inexperience and personnel issues: ladies and gentlemen, it’s your 2025-2026 San Antonio Spurs!” and I’m not even all that sure I can disagree — assuming that those personnel issues are referring to injuries. Amazing what taking on the defending champs can do to a team, isn’t it?
And I’m sure you are riding high, I know I was during that 15-0 run. Isn’t it something how when a run extends like that it’s hard to imagine your team ever missing again, or the opponent ever making. And vice versa. It’s the same between games too. Right now, even a single win seems improbable, but that’s considering that only what has happened will happen. Since we don’t know what’s being cooked up, we’re left with supposition which leaves things murky. One thing is clear though, there’s no denying that adjustments are required.
As to your question, there are two options. Either San Antonio finds a way to make Wemby’s minutes so productive that they can weather any run OKC makes when he rests (see above list), or the bench finds a way to hang with the Thunder in the non-Vic minutes. The odds may be stacked against both of those, but I’d say the first is the most likely.
What we’ve seen all year is Wembanyama experiencing obstacles before shifting tactics or adjusting mindset or coordinating with teammates, and then going on an epic run that rewrites history books and looks inevitable in hindsight. It’s happened in the micro (during the second half of games to come back from huge deficits) and in the macro (during the post-All Star Break when the team went 37-3 when Wemby played).
Here’s my question: how much of OKC’s bench play do you think is sustainable through an entire series?
Cray
You teed up my favorite wonky Thunder question, which has been my hobby horse (or dead horse, maybe) all year: whether the role players can hold up throughout the most crucial postseason stretches. OKC has really underperformed on offense in both their 2024 & 2025 runs, particularly from behind the arc. Until now, they’ve been very good in the regular season, and very human during the playoffs–succeding despite shooting variability rather than because of it. This season has been their least reliant on three-point shooting as a contender, and I’ve wondered if they were leaning into the two-pointer by design or necessity this time around.
My working theory: Shai’s midrange brilliance, and their stated premium placed on absolute shot quality over the three-pointer as the best option, has moved their floor and ceiling higher on offense. In past playoffs, the opposing defense could funnel more and more shots to Lu Dort and Josh Giddey. With the development of Jaylin Williams and the addition of Jared McCain, the Prince of OKC’s Disney Process, the range of players capable of getting hot when the ball is forced out of Shai’s hands has expanded significantly. So far, at least. I know that the Thunder role players will maintain elite effort and defense. For the first time in forever, I believe they will maintain their shooting.
I can feel the Spurs fans getting bored, so I’ll move on. Now that we know Ajay Mitchell (out) and Jalen Williams (questionable, but very doubtful in my opinion) won’t be around for at least another game, OKC’s bench and starters are blending together. The reserves won’t be scoring 70+ points again, but they’ll at least keep the scoring advantage against the struggling Kornet and Keldon club.
And to rejoin your other point: Wemby’s capacity to rewrite NBA history and basketball physics is the true x factor from here on out in my view. If I were you, I would love seeing Wemby and Mitch Johnson dismissing free throw & fouling gripes after these losses to focus instead on what they can do better to get back to winning. NBC showed Wemby warming up with trainers pulling and grabbing him in the post–that’s the right stuff.
If I thought Fox and Harper were really right, I’d pick SAS to easily even it up in Game 4. With the short rest and big minutes still necessary for the shortened Spurs rotation, I’m bracing for another game going down to the wire. I gotta stick with my pre-series pick of Thunder in 5 as long as it has legs, but I’m prepared to be wrong.
What’s your pick? And has it changed from what you thought before the series?
J.R.
As soon as you ask me for my prediction, I immediately think back to the 2012 Spurs versus Thunder Western Conference Finals when I traveled to Oklahoma City to stay with my sister’s family and cover the games. I was but a naïve editor-in-chief then, (only having taken over PtR in 2012) and had no idea of the heartbreak that was in store for me. San Antonio had won the first two games at home and there was no hint whatsoever of what was about to befall the Spurs.
They were dominated. For four straight games Oklahoma City showed that they were the superior team. They were more physical and they scored more easily than San Antonio. After being up 2-0, there was rarely a moment in the next four games where I felt comfortable that the Spurs had been able to figure out the new status quo of the series.
I spent those four games trusting that Popovich would “figure it out.” After the series and over the next summer I realized that you can’t figure out a way to play differently than you have all season. There are wrinkles you can put in place and adjustments that can be made but playing style is something you prepare through the course of the season, and can’t be changed on the fly.
These are the thoughts that I was thinking before the series when I realized that I simply couldn’t imagine San Antonio playing differently than they had when they won three games against a mostly-healthy Thunder team. But now that it’s obvious that the status quo of the series is not the same as it was in December, my prediction is entirely based on Game 4.
Usually, it is the odd-numbered games that define a playoff series in the NBA, but I’m gonna know everything I need to know about the rest of the series in the first 12 minutes of Sunday night‘s game. If the Spurs have a different way to: a) handle the physicality, b) contain SGA without allowing role players to go off, and c) consistently create offense, then I believe the series can go to seven games and be up for grabs.
But if OKC has a sizable lead going into the second quarter, then I would expect the series to be over in five or six games. Forcing San Antonio to take the next step of their development over the off-season and the next couple years, just as the 2012 San Antonio Spurs had to.
Game recognized game between LeBron James, Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift.
The Lakers star and Cavaliers icon shouted out the power couple on Instagram as they sat courtside for Game 3 of the Eastern Conference finals between Cleveland and the Knicks at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse on Saturday night.
Kelce was wearing the LeBron 7 MVP colorway from his signature Nike line, which was certainly an added reason to shout out the couple.
James, who played 11 seasons in Cleveland, posted a photo of the Chiefs tight end and the 14-time Grammy winner in their seats to his Instagram Stories with a caption that included a salute and crown emoji.
Kelce, an Ohio native who played his college ball at Cincinnati, went viral for more than his presence at the game after chugging a beer that hyped up the crowd and left Swfit having to put her hand to her face to hide her laughter.
LeBron James NBAE via Getty Images
It didn’t help the home team as the Knicks, whose offense has impressed James, never trailed in the game, leaving Kelce looking broken and slumped in his seat in the fourth quarter. The four-time NBA champion gave up his “crown” to Kelce as the most famous athlete in Northeast Ohio in 2023 during the height of the buzz around Swift and Kelce.
James, who is currently a free agent, was on the team the last time the Cavaliers were in the Eastern Conference finals during the 2017-18 season before they eventually lost to the Warriors in their fourth-straight trip to the Finals.
The NBA’s all-time leading scorer did deliver the franchise its only NBA championship when he and Kyrie Irving helped rally Cleveland from a 3-1 deficit to beat Golden State in seven games in 2016. A return to Cleveland to likely end his career can never be ruled out.
Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce sit courtside during the first quarter of Game 3. Charles Wenzelberg/New York Post
Kelce also knows a thing or two about rings, having won three Super Bowls with the Chiefs, who he returned to on a one-year contract this offseason after retirement rumors had swirled around him following the last two campaigns. Kansas City is hopeful to have quarterback Patrick Mahomes back for Week 1 after he suffered a torn ACL against the Chargers in December.
His most important ring, however, was given to Swift when the couple got engaged in August and the two are expected to get married in New York City on July 3.
Lance Stephenson might have found his next career move.
The former Indiana Pacer entered the cage on Saturday night for an MMA scrap against fellow NBA alum Michael Beasley — and it was Stephenson who decidedly came out on top.
Just one round into the pair’s fight at Brand Risk 14, a promotion run by influencer Adin Ross, Stephenson choked out his basketball rival and former Lakers teammate and got him to tap out.
Lance Stephenson got Michael Beasley to tap out in the first round of their MMA fight Kick/Adin Ross
Lance Stephenson just submitted Michael Beasley in the first round
Moments before, the two traded punches before Beasley attempted a guillotine choke on Stephenson.
However, Stephenson managed to wriggle free and get his opponent into a rear-naked choke, which Beasley was unable to break free of.
Following the fight, Beasley seemed surprised that he had gotten choked, but said he’d be willing to box Stephenson in the future.
Stephenson agreed to that deal and Beasley, whom he played against in the BIG3, jokingly threw a punch in his direction. The two also squared off in a much-hyped one-on-one game for $100,000 that Beasley won last year.
The fight card also featured a bout between Johnny Manziel and social media influencer Bob Menery, who the former NFL quarterback defeated by TKO in the first round.
Stephenson looked pleased following his quick win in the fight. Kick/Adin Ross
Stephenson and Beasley both enjoyed lengthy careers in the NBA, including the 2018-19 season together with Lakers.
Stephenson, now 35, was drafted by Indiana in the second round of the 2010 NBA Draft and starred for Indiana before moving on to other stops around the league, including Charlotte, New Orleans and Memphis.
Beasley, 37, arrived as the second overall pick in 2008, and is best known for his productive stints in Miami and Minnesota.
Stephenson and Beasley last played in the 2021-22 and 2018-19 NBA seasons, respectively.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
Stephon Castle
COVERS INTEL: New York is +225 during its current win streak, which is the 
