Former NBA star Carmelo Anthony is mistakenly trending.
There seems to be confusion between the 42-year-old Anthony and the young Texas native Karmelo Anthony, who was sentenced to 35 years in prison by a Texas jury on Tuesday, June 9, following a 2025 fatal stabbing of a fellow student.
This isn't a case of that Spider-Man meme. The two are not related and have zero connection to each other.
The one we call "Melo" is a 10-time All-Star, a six-time All-NBA team member, a three-time Olympic gold medalist and one of the NBA's 75 greatest players of all time. Now, he serves as a lead studio analyst for NBC Sports and Peacock during their national NBA broadcasts alongside Maria Taylor, Tracy McGrady and Vince Carter.
Karmelo Anthony was convicted of killing 17-year-old Austin Metcalf over a disagreement about Anthony's presence under a team tent at a track meet at Memorial High School in Frisco, Texas. The trial drew national attention that raised questions of race and school safety in Frisco.
But there could be a few baseless conclusions as to why people connected the young man to a future Basketball Hall of Famer. The obvious is the name. Not just the last name, but the first name is phonetically the same.
The former NCAA champion also has a son that plays at Syracuse whose name is Kiyan Anthony. But make no mistake, Karmelo and Kiyan aren't siblings. Carmelo only has two children: Kiyan and a daughter named Genesis.
BOSTON, MA - MAY 2: Jameer Nelson looks on before the game between the Philadelphia 76ers and the Boston Celtics during Round One Game Seven of the 2026 NBA Playoffs on May 2, 2026 at TD Garden 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
As the Sixers’ search for a new president of basketball operations zeroed in on Mike Gansey, a corresponding promotion for Jameer Nelson became increasingly likely. Nelson slowly rose through the organization, starting with the G League affiliate Delaware Blue Coats. Nelson became a lot more involved with the big club last season. He was on the road a lot, interacting with players and coaches, according to Bob Myers.
It’s likely the path the organization originally had in mind for Elton Brand before a collars related incident accelerated that timeline. When Gansey was hired, he said that a promotion for Nelson was a “sticking point” for him.
“It’s actually a surreal moment,” Nelson told reporters. “When I started this journey six years ago, I had no idea where it would take me.”
Nelson admitted that when he started he thought he would become a coach, not an executive, but discovered that working in the front office is a type of coaching in its own way. As he’s risen up the ranks from scout to executive VP, Nelson has had plenty of offers from plenty of places along the way.
Having the opportunity to do the job in the place he is from for the team he grew up rooting for was an opportunity Nelson was willing to wait for. He admitted that the fact that he’s able to do so now gives him goosebumps.
“Things that matter here most to me is I’m home, right? My family’s here,” he said. “I’m a Sixers fan. My favorite basketball player of all time is Charles Barkley, and [Allen] Iverson and Kobe [Bryant]. So people from this area or played in this area, I feel like some responsibility to help this organization move forward.”
Nelson’s ties to the region came up quite a bit in his introductory press conference. His most From Here trait was the reminder he gave that he didn’t grow up within the city limits.
“Growing up in Chester — everybody keeps saying Philly, I’m Chester native,” Nelson said, “but Philadelphia has adopted me.”
Getting a higher up in the organization that is from the area was a clear priority in this hiring process.
“I think it’s important that somebody from this community is in a leadership role with this team,” Myers said later that day. “Not being from here, you recognize the importance of connecting to the community and the fanbase and Jameer has that.”
A follow-up was thrown at Myers as to whether the organization felt there was a disconnect with the community that the Sixers organization felt the need to correct. While Myers didn’t say that was the case, it’s definitely criticism that has been leveled at an ownership group that owns two teams in rival cities. Much like Josh Harris’ answer to a luxury tax question a month ago, it’s something the new leadership group wanted to address.
“This is a uniquely spirited community and the history of the organization, ” Myers said. “ I think having someone, just that knows that and grew up here and feels that and the responsibility that comes with that. I just love that Jameer is in the place that he’s in and he deserves it, he’s earned it, and bottom line, I think he’s going to help us win.”
Between the local roots they’re trying to cultivate with Nelson and the fact that he, Gansey and Myers all played the game at at least the collegiate level, the Sixers have made sure that their new front office has a different presentation than the previous regime. Gansey and Nelson literally go back to their days playing against each other in the Atlantic-10.
“I was 0-2 against him when I was at St. Bonaventure’s and he was at St. Joe’s,” Gansey said at his introduction, “but I think I got the win now because I got him on my side.”
So with less than a month left before their big first test in the draft, the Sixers have their new front office in place. Now it’s time to see just how much they’ll be able to reconnect this team to the community.
Jalen Brunson best bet: Over 5.5 assists (-155 at bet365)
Jalen Brunson wrapped up Game 3 with five assists on nine potential helpers, but the table was set for more dimes in the second half. His turnovers as well as ice-cold shooting from the rest of the New York Knicks soured those set-ups.
The San Antonio Spurs have dialed up the pressure on Brunson, picking him up sooner in the halfcourt and playing tighter on-ball defense while showing double teams at times. They’re packing the paint when Brunson drives, leaving open hands on the outside for kickouts.
Brunson also has a bad habit of dribbling away seconds on the shot clock, leading to a bad look — either from him or off a hurried pass — as the clock ticks down.
Those troubles and a lack of playmaking wasn’t lost on Brunson after the Game 3 loss, pinpointing his play when asked about what the Knicks offense needs to correct in Game 4.
“Most importantly, not turn the ball over. Give my team an opportunity,” Brunson told the media.
New York head coach Mike Brown is preaching more activity from his entire team heading into Game 4, asking for sharper off-ball action and aggressive cuts. That means less useless dribbling from the point guard and better situational shooting from the team overall.
With Brunson getting a ton of touches and limiting his mistakes, the opportunities that evaporated on Monday will be there tonight.
He’s averaging nine potential assists for the series, panning out to 4.3 actual dimes. His assist prop has slid to 5.5 Over/Under but Game 4 projections still all sit north of six helpers, ranging from 6.4 to a ceiling of 7.2.
My number comes out to 6.8 assists from Brunson, which should have the Over 5.5 priced around -190, which makes the vig easier to swallow. You can find this prop result as short as -140, while some books have gone to 6.5 O/U.
Jalen Brunson same-game parlay
The Knicks were playing with a lot of outside pressure in Game 3, beyond just winning an NBA Finals game. Their winning streak and a packed Madison Square Garden (with Donald Trump in attendance) piled on the loss.
Game 4 comes with less baggage.
New York’s issues Monday were self-inflicted, with turnovers sparking the Spurs transition attack. The Knicks have a focus on playing cleaner with better offensive activity, forcing San Antonio into halfcourt sets.
Brunson got a good look at the Game 3 film and I expect the Knicks’ point guard to be more active as a facilitator, not just finding his teammates but putting them in better situations to shoot the basketball. His potential assists are at 9.0 but with less turnovers and more off-ball action, that metric ticks up and gets him Over his assist total for the first time in six games.
Projections all call for six or more assists.
Brown’s call for more action on offense was pointed at Karl-Anthony Towns, who couldn’t get into a flow in Game 3. He passed up shots and was also passed up on passes. Towns is drawing smaller defenders and will utilize his size to attack and shoot over the top.
His game models all sit above 18 points with most at 20+ points in Game 4.
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It didn’t take long for Chris Russo to go after Victor Wembanyama.
During “First Take” on Wednesday morning, “Mad Dog” ripped into the Spurs’ young superstar for shoving Jalen Brunson in Game 3 of the NBA Finals Monday night in what he described as a “dirty play.”
“This was out of line,” Russo said. “This I don’t like. Brunson did nothing wrong and a very good job of avoiding a technical in this spot.”
“[Wemby’s] a dirty player. … This was out of line. … You’re giving the Knicks a lot of juice tonight, and that’s not what San Antonio needed to do.”@MadDogUnleashed reacts to Wemby not receiving a flagrant foul for shoving Jalen Brunson in Game 3 pic.twitter.com/Pv2tTlzRLS
Russo’s reaction comes after Wembanyama wasn’t assessed a flagrant foul for shoving Brunson in the back of the head with 4:44 remaining in the first quarter of Monday’s game.
Brunson tried setting a screen on the 7-foot-4 big man near the free-throw line, and once Wembanyama turned around, he shoved Brunson to the ground.
Despite immediate protests from the Knicks, no foul was called on the play.
“Let’s take it easy if you’re the Spurs. You’re 2-1 down on the road and still have to win a road game,” Russo added. “The idea now that you’re going to beat them four in a row, Wembanyama’s going to show how tough he is … bring it down. Don’t rile ’em up.”
“And now you have the Knicks all annoyed now because they go and look at the highlights and say the NBA should’ve said it was a flagrant foul … you’re giving the Knicks a lot of juice tonight. And that’s not what San Antonio needed to do.”
Victor Wembanyama shoves Jalen Brunson during Game 3 of the NBA Finals Monday night. Wembanyama wasn’t assessed a flagrant foul for the play.
With no flagrant foul assessed, Wembanyama remains at two flagrant points this postseason following an ejection in the second round against the Timberwolves for an elbow on Naz Reid.
Four flagrant points trigger a suspension, so if the referees called a Flagrant 2, Wembanyama would’ve missed a game.
After beating the Knicks 115-111 in Game 3, Wembanyama and the Spurs can tie the series at two games apiece Wednesday night at Madison Square Garden.
The Spurs trailed 2-0 in the NBA Finals after losing the first two games at home and faced the possibility of their season ending in a sweep at Madison Square Garden.
Gregg Popovich. Getty Images
Popovich, who now serves as San Antonio’s basketball president after his coaching career was cut short by a stroke in November 2024, did not make the trip to New York with the team.
But before the Spurs’ charter left Texas, he boarded the plane and spoke to the group.
The moment came during an unexpected delay on the runway, caused by a flat tire on another plane ahead of San Antonio’s flight.
Popovich, 77, used the extra time to remind the Spurs that the series was still within reach.
De’Aaron Fox told The Athletic that Popovich’s message was that San Antonio had dug itself into a hole, but could still climb out of it.
Fox added that Popovich urged the team to be “confident” and reminded them “there’s a reason why we got here.”
The speech landed at the right time.
Victor Wembanyama #1 of the San Antonio Spurs and De’aaron Fox #4 of the San Antonio Spurs react during the fourth quarter against the New York Knicks in Game Three of the 2026 NBA Finals at MSG on June 08, 2026 in New York City. Getty Images
San Antonio responded by beating the Knicks 115-111 in Game 3 at the Garden, cutting the series deficit to 2-1.
Fox helped seal the victory, hitting a midrange jumper over OG Anunoby with 12.2 seconds left to put the Spurs ahead by five points.
Popovich spoke to the team for close to 10 minutes before spending additional time talking individually with players and coaches, per The Athletic.
He reportedly was also seated next to Victor Wembanyama during part of the visit before leaving the plane.
Gregg Popovich introducing Mitch Johnson as the new coach of the Spurs in 2025. AP Photo/Eric Gay
Fox said Popovich’s words still matter because he does not address the full group without purpose.
“It’s always good when he comes around,” Fox told The Athletic, adding that Popovich “doesn’t just address the group just to talk.”
That presence remains significant for a young Spurs team trying to win a title sooner than expected.
San Antonio missed the playoffs last season, but it finished 62-20 this season behind Wembanyama, Fox and a young roster that has come together quickly under head coach Mitch Johnson.
Johnson replaced Popovich on an interim basis before getting the job full time.
The New York Knicks are known for rolling out the celebrity carpet for those who sit in the famed courtside seats, and they continue to bring out the big guns for NBA Finals halftime entertainment.
For Game 3 of the NBA Finals between the Knicks and the San Antonio Spurs, the halftime entertainment at Madison Square Garden was Cardi B, a Bronx native.
Game 4's halftime show will be Staten Island's own Wu-Tang Clan.
The iconic rap group with members the RZA, the GZA, Inspectah Deck, Raekwon the Chef, U-God, Ghostface Killah and Method Man, along with Masta Killa and Cappadonna, will take the court on Wednesday, June 10 before heading back on their tour in late August.
Once they conclude their final stop of Wu-Tang Forever: The Final Chamber in Phoenix, Arizona, on Oct. 4, the group will be inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in November.
The latest updates on the Giannis Antetokounmpo trade situation feel more like confirmations of things we already knew and expected. Things have largely felt quiet on the Antetokounmpo front, and Adam Silver and the league are good with that — they would like to avoid a repeat of last year, when the news of Kevin Durant's trade to Houston fell on the day of Game 7 of the NBA Finals and changed the conversation around the biggest game of the year.
There is an increasing belief in league circles that the trade will fall before the NBA Draft, reports Jake Fischer and Marc Stein of The Stein Line. That report also says the Bucks want to wait until after the NBA Finals to secure a deal, just to see if another team wants to jump into the mix — ideally the Celtics, at least from Antetokounmpo's and the Bucks' perspective. However, Boston has shown no real signs of interest.
One clear sign that the Bucks' plan to get this deal done before the draft: They are acting like a team that will have more than one high pick this year (they already have the No. 10 pick, their own), the report notes. It's worth adding that the Miami Heat have the No. 13 pick in this draft, which brings us to another point from that same report.
Miami remains frontrunner, Portland interested
Miami has been the clear frontrunner to land Giannis Antetokounmpo in a trade for some time and nothing has changed, reports Fischer and Stein. There are good reasons Miami is at the front of the pack, the pair notes.
• Antetokounmpo reportedly is open to going there (and because he only has one guaranteed season left on his contract, he has leverage in any trade by saying he will not sign an extension somewhere he does not want to be).
• The Heat are in the East, and Antetokounmpo reportedly wants to stay in the East.
• Miami can put together a compelling — and probably best available — trade package centered around All-Star Tyler Hero, promising young center Kel'el Ware and multiple first-round draft picks.
The rest of the market remains tepid for Antetokounmpo. The Bucks and Knicks talked last summer, but New York is playing in the NBA Finals as this all goes down and is not about to blow up this roster. The Cavaliers don't want to trade former Defensive Player of the Year Evan Mobley, and that was their only viable path to a deal. Teams in the West that might be a fit (like Minnesota) have not come hard because Antetokounmpo wants to stay in the East.
That said, Portland has made it known it still wants Antetokounmpo and would like to talk about a deal, but Stein and Fischer report it's more likely the Trail Blazers are the third team in a deal (Milwaukee would like to get back some of the draft picks it sent to Portland in the Damian Lillard trade).
LeBron likely stays in LA, Warriors interested
The Antetokounmpo domino has to fall before a number of other major deals — like a Ja Morant trade — go down. LeBron James' future is also on that list, but Stein and Fischer report the most likely outcome is him remaining with the Lakers "because he is so entrenched" with the organization (he's been there eight years) and with his family in Los Angeles. That includes his son, Bronny James, who remains on the Lakers roster.
That said, the pair says the Warriors are "legitimately interested" in pairing LeBron with Stephen Curry, Draymond Green, and (once he's healed from his torn ACL) Jimmy Butler in the Bay Area. Part of the pitch is that LeBron could "commute" to Los Angeles at points in the season relatively easily and not have to uproot his family.
The Curry/LeBron/Butler/Green core would be box office gold for the Warriors (and the league's broadcast partners) and a good team in the West, though not really a threat to Oklahoma City or San Antonio. Having four core players all age 37 or older also is a recipe for a busy medical staff.
It still all comes down to money with LeBron. At best, with some roster manipulation, the Warriors could offer LeBron the $15.1 million mid-level exception (that would hard cap the Warriors at the first tax apron, and they are currently just a little more than $19 million under that line, but with at least four more roster spots to fill after a hypothetical LeBron addition).
The Lakers can offer whatever they wish to LeBron, they have his Bird rights. That said, the organization is prioritizing re-signing Austin Reaves (also a free agent) and retooling the roster with players who better fit with Luka Doncic and his skill set. Lakers fans expecting major roster moves or even a radical overhaul of the role players on the team may want to prep themselves for a more status quo offseason, league sources told NBC Sports.
LeBron and his agent, Rich Paul, are reportedly going to ask for the max from the Lakers and want to know how the Lakers plan to spend that money if they are offering less, which is really a complicated way of saying they want to know what the Lakers' plans are.
It's easy to imagine LeBron returning to the Lakers on something like a two-year, $50 million contract with a player option on the second year and a no-trade clause. Maybe easier than imagining him in the Bay Area.
Police arrive to disperse fans near Madison Square Garden after Game 3 in New York City on 8 June.Photograph: Eduardo Muñoz/Reuters
The owner of the New York Knicks basketball team sharply criticized both the New York police department and Zohran Mamdani after city officials announced an extensive security strategy for Game 4 of the NBA finals, featuring a large restricted zone and additional access controls.
The expanded security measures follow Monday’s Game 3 watch party at Bryant Park, where disorder erupted and led to arrests, damage to property and incidents involving assaults on police officers.
In response to the plans for Wednesday night, Madison Square Garden Sports (MSG Sports), James Dolan’s company that owns the Knicks, issued a strongly worded statement titled “Mayor Mamdani and Police Commissioner Tisch Are New York City’s Biggest Party Poopers”.
“The last several victories the Knicks have had have been celebrated by thousands and thousands outside MSG,” the statement said. “The joy and happiness were palpable everywhere. Apparently, Mayor Mamdani and Police Commissioner [Jessica] Tisch, despite what they say, don’t want to see these celebrations happen.”
MSG Sports argued that while similar restrictions put in place earlier in the week had been attributed to Donald Trump’s presence at Game 3, the decision to maintain the perimeter for Game 4 is evidence that the president’s appearance was “a convenient excuse to restrict how and when Knicks fans celebrate”.
The sports holding company also claimed that shutting down the surrounding area hurts the atmosphere of the celebration and negatively affects nearby small businesses that depend on game-day crowds.
NYPD officials told the Athletic that MSG’s permit request for Wednesday’s watch party proposed a crowd limit of between 500 and 1,000 attenders. City officials approved attendance up to the maximum of 1,000 people.
The heightened security measures come after Monday night’s gathering in Bryant Park turned chaotic following the Knicks’ defeat. Fans left Bryant Park and moved on to nearby streets, where fights broke out and resulted in 21 arrests. Five police officers were reportedly among those injured.
Footage shared online showed individuals wearing Spurs apparel being chased and attacked. Several videos gained widespread attention, including one showing a fan’s Victor Wembanyama jersey being ripped off and torn apart.
Ahead of game four, Mamdani called on New Yorkers to refrain from targeting Spurs supporters. “We’re back outside the Garden. We have approved a ticketed MSG watch party for Game 4. More details soon. As we prepare to watch together, let me be clear: this is a historic, joyful moment for our city. We will not allow it to be disrupted by violence.
“Be safe, take care, and celebrate responsibly. Knicks in 5,” the mayor wrote on social media.
Last week, Mamdani signed a symbolic executive order repealing bedtime curfew for NYC’s children during the Knicks’ NBA finals run.
For Wednesday night’s game, entry into the restricted area will be limited to people with game tickets, train tickets or proof of residence within the area, or those visiting a specific local business. Fans entering the area will use a designated access point at Sixth Avenue and 33rd Street, where all attenders will undergo screening. Trump, a longtime friend of Dolan, is not expected to attend.
Jun 8, 2026; New York, New York, USA; San Antonio Spurs guard Stephon Castle (5) reacts in the fourth quarter against the New York Knicks during game three of the 2026 NBA Finals at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images | Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
The San Antonio Spurs were knocked off their rocker in the first two games of the NBA Finals at home by the New York Knicks. Entering as heavy favorites, many Spurs players eased off the gas pedal.
UConn’s Stephon Castle averaged 15.5 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 4.5 assists across those first two games. However, he was part of a critical turnover in the final seconds of Game 2. With 14 seconds left in a tie game, Victor Wembenyama grabbed a rebound off a Jalen Brunson miss and raced up the floor. With Castle in front of him, Wemby passed the ball off his back the second Castle looked away. Brunson snatched the loose ball and secured the Knicks’ second straight road victory to open the finals.
Monday’s game 3 was the most important game of Castle’s young career. A sold-out Madison Square Garden with many important folks in attendance surely would be too much pressure for the 21-year-old, right? The Knicks looked to slam the door shut and go up 3 games to none, as no team has come back from a 3-0 deficit in NBA history. Castle started off the night with an 18 point 1st half, hitting an early triple to get San Antonio moving. He threw the first punch early, as the Spurs struggled to open the first two games in the series.
Castle ended the night with 23 points on 8-for-14 shooting, including knocking down the dagger 3-pointer to go up 7 with under 2 minutes to play.
Another late Knicks comeback saw them down two points with 6 seconds remaining, as they sent Castle to the charity stripe with the game on the line. The forward buried both free throws and the Spurs held on to take Game 3, making the series 2-1.
“I expect us to win the next three. Those first two games really hurt. I feel like it was an eye-opener for us… We wanna punch first and be on the front foot,” Castle said in an interview with ESPN.
ESPN currently has the Spurs at +160 to win the championship, with the Knicks at -190 odds. No team in NBA history has won the NBA Finals after dropping the first two games at home.
San Antonio looks to steal another game on the road as Game 4 tips off Wednesday at 8:30 p.m. on ABC.
When matchups for the 2026 SEC/ACC Challenge were revealed last week, the LSU men’s basketball program was handed a home game against Wake Forest — meaning that, for at least one year, Tigers coach Will Wade was spared from having to square off against NC State, where he coached last season.
The mercurial coach’s battle with his former employer, though, is far from over.
Three months after Wade left the Wolfpack, NC State has launched an investigation into whether LSU violated North Carolina law by persuading Wade to return to the Tigers, according to letters between lawyers from the two universities that were obtained by WRAL in Raleigh, North Carolina.
In one of the more notable moves in this year’s coaching carousel, Wade resigned from NC State on March 25 after only one season before being announced one day later as the head coach at LSU, where he had previously coached from 2017-22.
According to WRAL, NC State is refusing to release LSU from potential legal action as the university examines whether the Tigers violated North Carolina’s Unfair and Deceptive Trade Practices Act. NC State said it has reason to believe LSU may have worked with Wade for the new coach to avoid a larger buyout when he left the Wolfpack.
Wade had agreed to pay NC State a $4 million buyout, which LSU passed along in early May. Wade’s buyout had been set to drop from $5 million to $3 million on April 1, but the two sides negotiated a figure in the middle so that Wade could leave and the Wolfpack could begin their search for a new coach.
“The timing and circumstances of Coach Wade’s departure from Raleigh and his resignation, along with the LSU term sheet, and the eventual (buyout) payment of $4 million to NC State raise questions about LSU’s potential liability in this matter,” NC State General Counsel Allison B. Newhart wrote in correspondence to LSU General Counsel Carlton Jones, which was obtained by WRAL.
In a June 4 letter, NC State wrote that it would not agree to a mutual release and settlement agreement LSU sent two weeks earlier. In the letter, Newhart wrote that the Tigers may have “influenced efforts to avoid or delay notice to NC State of LSU’s recruitment of Coach Wade and perhaps even the timing of Coach Wade’s employment with LSU in order to avoid larger buyout fees.”
Wade’s exit marked the end of months of speculation that linked him to LSU, which fired coach Matt McMahon the same day Wade was hired after the former Murray State coach went 60-70 in four seasons in Baton Rouge.
Can the Spurs continue the trend of the visiting team winning every game in this year's Finals? Or will the Knicks bounce back and put aside any outside distractions to take a commanding 3-1 series lead?
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Spurs Game 4 computer picks
Dylan Harper Under 6.5 rebounds (-120)
Projection: 4.49 rebounds
Our prop projections rank this as a five-star play, showing a 26.48% EV edge. Yes, Dylan Harper snared nine rebounds in Game 3, but the market has gone too far the other way.
Seven boards is a high number, and our model sees him grabbing four or five.
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De'Aaron Fox Over 14.5 points (+100)
Projection: 16.92 points
De'Aaron Fox's efficiency has taken a hit in this series, but he's still taking double-digit shots in each outing. Our projections expect a similar night to Game 2, where he dropped 20 points on 75% shooting.
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Julian Champagnie Over 2.5 threes (+145)
Projection: 2.58 threes
Julian Champagnie is an excellent 3-and-D player for the San Antonio Spurs, and he's not afraid to shoot the rock. The wing has cleared this line in two of three games vs. the New York Knicks, and we're getting juicy odds for him to do so again.
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Knicks Game 4 computer picks
Jalen Brunson Under 27.5 points (-120)
Projection: 24.75 points
Jalen Brunson cannot find any real consistency against the Spurs. It took him 25 shots to reach 32 points on Monday, and our model projects he'll come close to 25 points tonight. Even a 27-point effort still puts him Under the number.
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Josh Hart Under 1.5 threes (-112)
Projection: 1.17 threes
Josh Hart drilled four threes for New York in Game 3 after hitting zero in the first two outings. Hart is a capable shooter, but the Spurs will place greater emphasis on shutting him down on the perimeter now that he's proven to be a threat.
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Karl-Anthony Towns Over 3.5 assists (-112)
Projection: 4.84 assists
Karl-Anthony Towns has the ball in his hands a lot throughout the game, and he makes the best read more often than not. His kickouts often lead to buckets, and our model sees him getting at least four dimes tonight.
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How to watch Spurs vs Knicks Game 4
Location
Madison Square Garden, New York, NY
Date
Wednesday, June 10, 2026
Tip-off
8:30 p.m. ET
TV
ESPN/ABC
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Good luck finding someone to back down in this feud.
President Donald Trump continued the back-and-forth with Stephen A. Smith on Wednesday when he called the ESPN host “an arrogant fool” in an early morning social media takedown.
“Stephen A. Smith is an arrogant fool,” Trump posted to Truth Social. “A low IQ individual. In other words, he’s ‘dumb as a rock,’ and totally unqualified to ever think of running for high political office, or even low political office, for that matter! He’d get annihilated in a debate by the most incompetent of politicians. Joe Biden’s now ‘fabled’ performance would look great by comparison to anything that this loudmouth huckster has to offer, which isn’t much! Within a few weeks, they’d laugh him out of politics!!!”
Donald Trump called Stephen A. Smith “Dumb as.a rock.” REUTERS
“I’ve been approached by people on Capitol Hill,” Smith said in Las Vegas in 2025.
This Finals-centric feud started when Smith was highly critical of President Trump’s appearance at the Knicks vs. Spurs Game 3 of the NBA Finals when he sat in a MSG suite next to Knicks owner James Dolan.
“This president has no business showing up in New York City,” Smith said ahead of Game 3. “I am dead serious. It is selfish, it is narcissistic, it is ridiculous that he is coming to this game.”
Stephen A. Smith hasn’t been afraid to feud with President Trump. Getty Images for SiriusXM
“I think he’s a nice guy, but you need a certain aptitude to run for president,” Trump said.to OutKick “You need a high IQ. I’m not sure that Stephen has that. I don’t think he does actually.”
Though President Trump appeared to fall asleep during the game, which Smith noted in his retort.
President Donald Trump attends an NBA Finals playoff basketball game between the New York Knicks and the San Antonio Spurs at Madison Square Garden in New York, Monday, June 8, 2026, with Kai Trump. AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein
“Guess what he was doing during the game, ladies and gentlemen? Go online, look at the videos,” Smith said. “I’m not gonna accuse of him of snoring because I wasn’t an ear shot, but the brother wasn’t awake.”
Smith then took a shot at Trump’s nickname for former President Joe Biden.
“If it was that important for you to be there, why did you look like you were asleep,” Smith continued. “Didn’t you call out former President Joe Biden, ‘Sleepy Joe’? Well, what should we call you?”
President Trump is not attending Game 4 of the NBA Finals due to a scheduling conflict.
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After three thrilling NBA Finals games, Knicks fever is at an all-time high in New York City.
Yet, somehow, ticket prices keep free falling for Game 4 of the NBA Finals at Madison Square Garden on Wednesday, June 10.
These past few days, our team has tracked how much the cheapest seats cost to get into MSG for the pivotal second contest at home for the Knicks (that will also feature a halftime performance from Wu-Tang Clan).
On Monday, tickets started at $9,280 including fees on SeatGeek. That made sense; before the painful Game 3 loss, fans were ponying up top dollar to potentially see Jalen Brunson and co. sweep Victor Wembanyama’s San Antonio Spurs on their home court.
Following their unfortunate defeat, prices roundly plummeted on Tuesday. In fact, they halved. Over a mere 24 hours, the cheapest seats went from $9,280 to $4,585 including fees.
That’s a steep $4,695 drop.
Now, on game day, tickets can be found for as low as $3,383 including fees at the time of publication.
If math isn’t your thing, that means prices went down a whopping $5,897 in two days.
And, while we’ll concede that seeing the Knicks play a Finals game that won’t clinch the series isn’t nearly as exciting as a game that would net New York the Larry O’Brien Championship Trophy, one thing is clear:
This might be your best and most inexpensive chance to see Brunson, Karl-Anthony Towns, Josh Hart, OG Anunoby and Mikal Bridges in the NBA Finals on their historic postseason run.
Plus, who knows when they’ll be back?
It has been 27 long, long years since the club’s last Finals appearance after all.
Need a few more details before smashing that buy button?
You’re in the right place, Brunson, Egg and Cheese lovers.
Our team has everything you need to know and more about catching Game 4 of the NBA Finals between the New York Knicks and San Antonio Spurs at Madison Square Garden below.
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 Knicks NBA Finals games at MSG?
A complete calendar, including all announced Knicks NBA Finals home game dates and the best prices on tickets versus what they cost on June 8 are listed here:
New York Knicks NBA Finals home game dates
Ticket prices start at
Ticket prices started at on June 9
Ticket prices started at on June 8
Game 4 Wednesday, June 10
$3,383(including fees)
$4,585(including fees)
$9,280(including fees)
Game 6 Tuesday, June 16 (if necessary)
$9,791(including fees)
$11,348(including fees)
$11,510(including fees)
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 5 Saturday, June 13 7:30 p.m.
$1,440(including fees)
Game 7 Friday, June 197:30 p.m. (if necessary)
$4,241(including fees)
What are the Knicks Finals home game giveaways at MSG?
New York Post social media guru Olivia Silio let us know that there are some additional perks to attending Finals games at MSG.
“The first home game of the series, you’ll go home with a souvenir t-shirt, commemorating the game,” she said, based on her experience attending the Eastern Conference Finals.
“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 can I watch the Knicks and Spurs in the NBA Finals 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.
Wu-Tang Clan
GZA, Method Man, Young Dirty Bastard, Ghostface Killah, Inspectah Deck, Raekwon, U-God and Masta Killa aren’t only playing the halftime show at Madison Square Garden this summer.
They’re also embarking on their ‘Final Chamber Tour’ with special guest Bone Thugs-N-Harmony from August through October.
Darien Lake AmphitheaterDarien Center, NYThursday, Aug. 27
Hard Rock Hotel and CasinoAtlantic City, NJFriday, Aug. 28
PNC Bank Arts CenterHolmdel, NJFriday, Sept. 11
Jones Beach TheaterWantagh, NYSunday, Sept. 13
Want to see the Staten legends live for less than $50?
You can find tickets for all 2026 Wu-Tang Clan ‘Final Chamber Tour’ concerts here.
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.
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.
The president, though, seemed to have a positive experience. He told reporters the following day that he heard "mostly cheers" from the crowd.
Still, some Knicks fans would seem to prefer he passes on Game 4 at the Garden on June 10. Here's what know about his possible attendance and fans' reactions.
Knicks fans give Trump mixed blame for Game 3 loss
After Game 3, Knicks fans had mixed opinions about whether Trump's attendance affected the outcome.
"I blame Trump," fan Ty Jackson told Reuters outside the Garden.
"I don't think it was Trump's fault but the aura – like the fact that they had to show him on the jumbotron, everybody was booing him, like we shouldn't even have to do that, we should be cheering," another, Taylor Perlmutter, told the outlet.
On social media, the consensus was similarly divided.
"I blame Trump for this Knicks loss. Bad juju," one person wrote on X.
"If you play badly, admit it," another X user said. "If you can't beat them, practice. Don't scapegoat the president next time, it's embarrassing."
Is Trump attending NBA Finals Game 4?
The White House has not confirmed whether or not Trump will be attending the next game at Madison Square Garden, though many signs are pointing to him not being there.
As of 9 a.m. ET on June 10, the president's schedule does not show a planned trip to New York.
ESPN's senior NBA insider Shams Charania also reported that Trump is not expected to attend due to scheduling conflicts.
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani also announced that a watch party outside the Garden was back on for Game 4 after the previous one was canceled, in part because of heightened security in the area.
Stephen A. Smith, Cardi B among those blaming Trump for Knicks loss
Some celebrities are even joining the chorus of those Knicks fans aiming fault at the president.
"It has nothing to do with politics. Zero," Smith said. "It has everything to do with the fervor and the momentum that exists surrounding the New York Knicks and he is singlehandedly disrupting everything that the New York Knicks have been vibing with."
"I think he's a nice guy, but you need a certain aptitude to run for president. You need a high IQ. I'm not sure that Stephen has that. I don't think he does actually," Trump told reporters.
Smith later doubled down on his opinion that the president interrupted the team's "mojo."
The Bronx-born rapper responded to a comment during an Instagram Live session after the game asking whether Trump was "bad luck" for the team.
"It probably was. But it is what it is," she said, per social media reposts. "You can't stop the president from … going to a game. But it did feel a little dark in there."
"It felt like the principal was there, and everybody had to be on their best behavior," she added. "But, nevertheless."
Charlamagne tha God, Charles Barkley address Trump's affect on NBA Finals
On the other side of the conversation, some big names weren't quick to point blame at Trump for the Spurs win.
Former NBA star Charles Barkley said the Knicks simply did not play to their full potential.
"That has nothing to do with it," he told TikToker Adam Glyn when asked whether Trump's attendance could have influenced the game. "I thought the Spurs outplayed them."
Similarly, Charlamagne tha God also said on "The Breakfast Club" that the outcome of the game was not tied to the president, though his being there did have an affect on fans.
"Donald Trump wasn't responsible for the loss of the game, but he was responsible for the loss of joy that the New York Knicks fans had been feeling," he said.
Melina Khan is a national trending reporter for USA TODAY. Keep up with her on X @melinakh and Instagram @bymelinakhan.
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