Category: Basketball

A brutal night for Victor Wembanyama continued even after he returned to his New York hotel on Wednesday, as he was pelted with boos from jeering Knicks fans and nearly struck by a flying egg.

A video shared online showed at least one egg tossed in the direction of the San Antonio Spurs superstar as he entered his hotel, flanked by security, after the team’s Game 4 loss to the Knicks.

It was not clear who threw the egg. The video showed taunting fans swarming the hotel, a few blocks south of Madison Square Garden.

Related: Wembanyama condemns apparent attacks on Spurs fans in New York during NBA finals

A few seconds after the egg cracks on a street sign, Wembanyama turns around and confronts a person standing near the hotel’s entrance, before continuing inside.

The Spurs did not immediately respond to a request seeking clarity on whether the object struck Wembanyama.

The confrontation followed a historic collapse by the Spurs, who now find themselves on the brink of elimination after blowing a 29-point lead to the Knicks. Wembanyama missed two key free throws in the game’s final minutes.

The Knicks’ victory prompted scenes of bedlam and jubilation across New York City, as ecstatic fans packed the streets, set off fireworks, scaled lamp-posts and at times clashed with police. According to the New York police department, 56 people were taken into custody for charges that ranged from assault to disorderly conduct.

“Once again, there were large crowds of people who engaged in incredibly reckless and dangerous behavior last night both during and after the game,” the police department said in a statement.

An NYPD spokesperson said they had nothing on file about the egg incident.

Earlier this week, players from both teams condemned apparent attacks on Spurs fans by supporters of the Knicks. Video had circulated showing San Antonio fans having their jerseys ripped off in the streets of New York after the Spurs’ win in Game 3 on Monday.

“My thoughts of course [are] that we can’t forget it’s a game,” Spurs star Victor Wembanyama said about the incidents. “We’re just playing a game out there. I am all for passion, but [with] the respect of each other. It’s unacceptable.”

Added Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns: “The game is built off of respect and passion. We want everyone to respect each other. We want everyone to enjoy basketball at its purest state. It’s the NBA finals. There’s no better place to watch basketball. Leave the physicality to everyone on the court.”

Every once in a while, you see something you've never seen before. Something that makes the impossible, possible, regardless of what the odds say. On June 10, the New York Knicks gave fans another moment that will forever be a snapshot in time.

Erasing a 29-point lead in Game 4 of the 2026 NBA Finals to take a commanding 3-1 series lead, the Knicks' comeback story is one that will be told for years to come. You'll remember where you were, what the weather was like, what you ate for dinner and maybe the first call or text you made in the immediate aftermath of the OG Anunoby shot heard around the sports world.

Whether the comeback is the greatest in sports history is up for debate. At the very least, Game 4 of the NBA Finals went from being a game Knicks fans couldn't wait to turn off to being a game they can't relive enough.

Anatomy of a stunning comeback: How Knicks pulled off improbable win

Now on the doorstep of their first NBA title since 1973, the job isn't finished. In the meantime, let's put the comeback into context.

Here's a look at how the Knicks' comeback compares to the New England Patriots' famous 28-3 comeback against the Atlanta Falcons in Super Bowl 51, by the numbers.

Celtics ‘in on' Giannis, ‘open to trading anybody' but Tatum: Reports originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston

The Giannis-to-Boston rumors are heating back up.

Prominent NBA insiders Kevin O’Connor (Yahoo Sports) and Bill Simmons (The Ringer) reignited the Giannis Antetokounmpo trade discourse with eye-opening updates on the Celtics’ interest in the Milwaukee Bucks superstar. O’Connor said the C’s are willing to part ways with all but one of their players.

“I have heard Boston is shopping people around a lot right now, that Boston is making calls, Boston is open to trading anybody besides Jayson Tatum,” O’Connor said on The Kevin O’Connor Show. “And that doesn’t necessarily mean they land Giannis at the end of the day, but I do believe, based off of everything and all the conversations I’ve had, is that the Celtics are in on Giannis, and that they are making a push on him… This feels very, very real to me.”

Simmons, who had initially poured cold water on the Giannis-to-Boston rumors, changed his tune on Thursday.

“I thought Boston was out of this,” Simmons said on theBill Simmons Podcast. “I know Boston was out of this. I was wondering if they were playing possum or not. I think they were playing a little possum. I think they are in on Giannis.

“I’m not recanting what I said before. I don’t know the reasons for it. Maybe they felt like Miami’s offer is an offer they could beat. Maybe they want to drive the price of Miami’s offer up and don’t really have interest in him.”

Simmons added that Boston remains among Giannis’ preferred destinations.

Those updates coincided with an interesting X post by Celtics star Jaylen Brown, who would presumably be the centerpiece of a Giannis deal.

“The neighbor’s rice always smells better,” Brown wrote.

So, what should we make of the latest Giannis rumors? Kayla Burton, Phil Perry, and Marc Bertrand shared their reactions during Thursday’s Early Edition.

“I wouldn’t mind it as long as the guy is healthy,” Burton said. “He only played 36 games last season. … That’s my only concern when it comes to him. … He’s on the upside of 31 years old now, had some injuries. … I just don’t know the number of pieces that they have to trade away.”

Antetokounmpo was limited to 36 games due to multiple injuries, including a hyperextension and bone bruise in his left knee. The two-time NBA MVP remained elite when healthy, averaging 27.6 points, 9.8 rebounds, and 5.4 assists while shooting over 62 percent from the field.

“He’s still a great player, and when you look at some of the advanced numbers, he’s still one of the best offensive players in basketball when he’s on the court,” Perry said. “I think part of the reason he’s missed time is because he’s just been checked out in Milwaukee, so I don’t worry as much as some others do about his health.

“I just take away from the reporting from Kevin O’Connor, they’re willing to trade anybody, or they’re shopping anybody not named Jayson Tatum. OK, they’re willing to potentially move Jaylen Brown, and they’re in on Giannis. … I’m not sure there’s a package out there, whether it’s Miami or anywhere else that would beat the Celtics’ willingness to trade away a second-team All-NBA guy.”

Trading Brown would be a stunning development. The 2024 NBA Finals MVP has been key to Boston’s success since being selected third overall in the 2016 draft. He took his game to another level this past season with Tatum sidelined, averaging a career-high 28.6 points per game and finishing sixth in the MVP race.

But after blowing a 3-1 series lead in their first-round playoff matchup vs. the Philadelphia 76ers, it’s time for Brad Stevens and the C’s to reevaluate their situation.

“You’ve got to watch what is playing out right now with the teams that are dominating, whether you want to say it’s the Knicks or it’s the Spurs,” Bertrand said. “Which of those teams are you going to compete with with this current roster? The Knicks have already beaten you once. Are you going to compete against the Spurs with the way this roster is currently constructed?

“If the Celtics are all in on building a championship team, they might need it to look different than the way it looks now.”

If Antetokounmpo is moved, it’ll likely happen before the 2026 NBA Draft on June 23.

Watch the full Early Edition segment in the video player above.

The Lakers have a clear need for athleticism across the floor and, particularly, on the perimeter. It’s something that was apparent even at the trade deadline and could be seen in the players the team was targeting.

There were a ton of other players they were connected to, like Keon Ellis, that they couldn’t pick up at the deadline. In the end, Ellis was traded to the Cavaliers. However, his time in Cleveland wasn’t exactly a great experience. In the playoffs, he was ineffective and non-existent.

Ellis played beyond 10 minutes only once in the postseason, did not play multiple times and provided nothing offensively. He went 5-15 from the field, scoring just 19 points across eight games and had a plus-minus of -31.

Now that the season is over, the Cavaliers have some tough decisions to make. As a second-apron team, money is going to be tight. Ellis was already set for free agency and, after underperforming, it looks unlikely Cleveland is going to retain him.

In a recent article, NBA insider Jake Fischer reported on Ellis likely being the odd man out with the Cavs.

The most pressing piece of roster business in Cleveland, outside of the Cavaliers ironing out a future agreement with James Harden, will come down to its decisions on Dean Wade and Keon Ellis as they seek to move out of the second apron.

Sources say that team officials already concede behind the scenes that it will be extremely difficult to keep both players. My early read: The priority is likely going to be bringing back Wade, who started a career-high 38 games this season and has been one of Cleveland’s top point-of-attack defenders as a jumbo-sized swingman.

This could be exactly the kind of opportunity the Lakers could take advantage of. They have more cap space than most teams this offseason, and they can pick up quality players other teams can’t retain due to the apron restrictions.

And considering the down postseason Ellis had, there’s a chance for LA to buy low on Ellis as Fisher detailed later in his report.

Ellis’ market, meanwhile, has seemingly taken a bit of a hit since February, when league sources say half the league was expressing interest in acquiring him from Sacramento via trade. The Cavaliers always appeared to be a curious landing spot for Ellis compared to a team like the Lakers that had a clear need for perimeter defenders. It remains to be seen how Ellis fares in free agency now after largely falling out of Kenny Atkinson’s playoff rotation.

Ellis averaged a modest 6.7 points, 1.9 rebounds and 1.0 assists per game this season. He actually was better statistically in many ways with Cleveland as he averaged 8.3 points, 2.8 rebounds, 1.6 assists and shot 49.1% from the field. His greatest value lies in his defense. He is a solid perimeter defender who averaged 1.3 steals per game in Cleveland.

While things didn’t go according to plan for him in the playoffs with the Cavs, it’s hard to trust a franchise that traded for James Harden to push them over the top in the playoffs. If they do move on from Ellis this offseason, don’t be surprised if the Lakers are involved.

You can follow Edwin on Twitter at @ECreates88 or on Bluesky at @ecreates88.bsky.social.

Josh Hart nearly brought Larry David to his knees.

The guard’s missed layup with 1:57 left in the fourth quarter as the Knicks sought to fully realize their 29-point comeback in Game 4 of the NBA Finals on Wednesday caused David, the “Seinfeld” co-creator and “Curb Your Enthusiasm” star, to nearly fall over in shock on celebrity row.

Hart was later beaten to a rebound and fouled Stephon Castle, who sank a pair of free throws with 30.3 seconds left to give the Spurs a lead.

Fortunately for Hart, the flub became a moot point, thanks to OG Anunoby’s tip-in with 1.2 seconds left to give the Knicks the 107-106 lead they wouldn’t relinquish.

“I’ve got a special shoutout for OG, man, because he saved me, at least for this game, a lifetime of regret,” Hart said.

Anunoby not only saved Hart, but also David, a native New Yorker, longtime Knicks fans and sideline staple, who was able to revel in the record win with the rest of celebrity row.

The bonkers postgame scene saw David and Jerry Seinfeld embrace, both being among a fan base unable to believe what they’d just seen.

Pop superstar Taylor Swift was hugging pals and fellow musicians Alana and Este Haim along with “Law & Order: SVU” star Mariska Hargitay — all decked out in custom “Stevie Knicks” t-shirts.

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Timothée Chalamet celebrated wildly after the win, jumping up and down with fans and even stealing a reporter’s mic to tell the world that the Knicks would win in 5. 

In less than two minutes, David went from near-collapse to over-the-top jubilation — and now, the Knicks, up 3-1 in the series, sit one win away from their first NBA title in 53 years.

As David’s version of himself on “Curb Your Enthusiasm” famously says, “Pretty, pretty, pretty good!”

The ninth pick in the NBA Draft is quite the interesting place to be. When you look back at the past 25 to 30 years, the swings between “complete flame out” and “Hall of Famer” are quite volatile. Dirk Nowitzki, Amar’e Stoudamire, Andre Iguodala, DeMar Derozan and Kemba Walker were all selected at the ninth pick. In that same span, Rodney White, Mike Sweetney, Ike Diogu and Pat O’Bryant were all picked. Volatile is an understatement!

In recent years as teams have refined the draft process, the swings have gotten a bit less dramatic. With that in mind, let’s look back specifically at the last ten NBA Drafts to see if we can find any trends that could help us see what the Dallas Mavericks could be doing in this draft.

Flame outs

2017: Dennis Smith Jr. (Dallas Mavericks)

2018: Kevin Knox II (New York Knicks)

2022: Jeremy Sochan (San Antonio Spurs)

It doesn’t take an incompetent organization to miss on a pick, as evidenced by the Spurs missing on Sochan in 2022. Jalen Williams and Jalen Duren were taken just a couple picks after the Spurs took Sochan at ninth. Others taken after that pick include Tari Eason (17^th), Christian Braun (21^st), Walker Kessler (22^nd) and Andrew Nembhard (31^st).

In the case of the Mavericks and Knicks, I think it’s fair to classify those front offices as incompetent. But even then with DSJ and Dallas, it seems like he was doomed due to coaching, which is unfortunate. However, organizations can make their own luck here, and the all three of these failed to with their picks.

Jury is still out

2023: Taylor Hendricks (Utah Jazz)

I think Hendricks has the potential to be a good pro. Obviously, his career was thrown for a loop after he suffered that awful leg injury in Dallas a couple of years ago, but Hendricks is a talented player who could thrive in the correct system.

Stars in their role

2016: Jakob Poeltl (Toronto Raptors)

2019: Rui Hachimura (Washington Wizards)

2021: Davion Mitchell (Sacramento Kings)

The interesting parallel here is that only one of the three here, Poeltl, is making an impact for the team that drafted him. And even Poeltl was shipped off early on in his career before finding his way back. That’s why it’s important to do the scouting on all of the guys in this range, because you never know if eventually, you’ll be the place where the player shines brightest.

All-star ceiling

2020: Deni Avdija (Washington Wizards)

2024: Zach Edey (Memphis Grizzlies)

2025: Collin Murray-Boyles (Toronto Raptors)

Deni is the only All-Star to come from the ninth pick since Andre Drummond, who was drafted in 2012. That being said, even in consensus weaker classes in 2024 and 2025, the ninth pick has panned out well. Edey, when healthy, has been a force for Memphis. Murray-Boyles was Toronto’s third best player in their seven-game battle against the Cavs this postseason.

Tally it all up, and there’s truly nothing off the table with this pick. Which makes it all the more interesting as we turn to our friends at the FanDuel Sportsbook to see who is favored to be selected ninth overall.

What do you think about the options who could be available? Let us know in the comments!

Wager Responsibly! Odds are subject to change. If you need help, call 1 (800) GAMBLER.

In today’s Dub Hub:

• Warriors not a factor in Bucks trade talks for Giannis Antetokounmpo, per The Stein Line’s Jake Fischer.
• Michigan’s Yaxel Lendeborg completed a workout with the Warriors on Thursday.
• Knicks complete historic 29-point comeback against the Spurs to take a commanding 3-1 series lead in the NBA Finals.

Once again, the Golden State Warriors appear to be on the outside looking in when it comes to the Giannis Antetokounmpo sweepstakes.

According to NBA insider Jake Fischer of The Stein Line, the Warriors have not been a factor in the Milwaukee Bucks’ most recent trade discussions surrounding the two-time MVP.

Via The Stein Line:

Minnesota and Golden State were both prominent Antetokounmpo suitors in February when the Bucks briefly invited trade interest in their Face of the Franchise, but sources say neither team has factored into the Bucks’ recent trade talks.

Golden State has long been viewed as a potential destination for Antetokounmpo in an attempt to extend Stephen Curry’s shrinking championship window. However, the Warriors currently lack the combination of young talent and draft assets that other contenders can offer Milwaukee. Any trade package would likely require Golden State to part with multiple future first-round picks, which have become increasingly valuable under the NBA’s revised draft lottery system.

Meanwhile, according to Fischer, the Bucks have a firm offer on the table from the Miami Heat centered around Tyler Herro, Kel’el Ware, Jaime Jaquez Jr., and “prime draft capital.” If that’s the case, the Warriors would likely have a difficult time fielding a more competitive offer without mortgaging their post-Curry future.

Of course, trade talks can evolve quickly during the offseason, but for now, the Warriors’ long-rumored pursuit of Antetokounmpo has seemingly lost momentum.

For more on this and other news around the NBA, here is our latest news round-up for Thursday, June 11th:

Warriors News:

NBA Intel: Domantas Sabonis, Michael Porter Jr, Pelicans trade talks; Raptors, Cavs | Hoops Hype

Porter Jr., who turns 28 on June 29th, drew trade interest from teams, including the Golden State Warriors, as the deadline neared. The Warriors considered parting with a first-round pick for Porter Jr. hours before the deadline, league sources told HoopsHype. In addition, Terance Mann was brought up in expanded discussions involving Porter Jr., but there were complications regarding his involvement, which would’ve necessitated a potential third team, HoopsHype has learned. Brooklyn also values Mann, who was a starter last season and is considered a strong veteran presence in their young locker room. 

2026 NBA buzz: Latest news, injuries, league intel, updates | ESPN

Lendeborg’s individual workout and in-person meeting with the front office Thursday will assuredly play a role in whether the Warriors decide to draft him in two weeks. It’ll also matter how the board in front of them falls. There are plenty of intriguing players who could surprisingly fall out of the top 10, including Arizona guard Brayden Burries, who league sources said is expected to be among the lottery prospects working out for the Warriors next week. — Anthony Slater

‘Curiosity’ on both sides for a potential Warriors-LeBron James team-up

NBA News:

The Knicks, one win from NBA championship, really look like a team of destiny | The Athletic

“When you do it once, you know you can do it again,” said OG Anunoby, who strengthened his NBA Finals MVP case with a 33-point performance to help New York take a 3-1 series lead back to San Antonio for Game 5. “You never want to be down, but that’s just how it goes. It’s a game of runs. They went on their run early, but we knew we had a run to go on, as well. So, just staying with it, not getting too low in the moment, and keep pushing, having confidence, believing in ourselves and knowing it’s a 48-minute game. Play until the end.”

Knicks complete 29-point comeback to take a 3-1 series lead against the Spurs

In case you missed it at Golden State of Mind:

Warriors to work out Michigan star Yaxel Lendeborg

That could make him the perfect fit on the Warriors, who are still chasing superstars, and hoping to build one more NBA Finals contender around Steph Curry. Lendeborg, who is talented defensively on both the perimeter and interior, can score in a variety of ways, and is very polished, would likely slot right into the rotation, as he figures to be one of the most NBA-ready players in the draft. But, despite his age, there’s also a belief by many that Lendeborg has a lot of untapped potential, and has a star ceiling rather than just a high floor.

Follow @unstoppablebaby on X for all the latest news on the Golden State Warriors.

On today’s episode, Andrew Dukowitz of Zone Coverage joins the show to discuss a wild New York Knicks win in Game 4 of the NBA Finals and the 10-2 start of the season for the Lynx:

— The Knicks erased an NBA Finals record 29-point deficit to win Game 4 to take a 3-1 series lead. Jalen Brunson was incredible yet again down the stretch, and OG Anunoby had the clutch block and tip-in layup to seal the victory.

— Karl-Anthony Towns picked up two early fouls, which kept him out most of the first half, but still finished with a game-high +17 as the former Minnesota Timberwolves franchise player is one win away from becoming a champion.

— It is easy to look back on the trade of Towns and have regret. Ultimately, the Knicks will end up winning the trade if they close out these Finals, but the Wolves still have a path to make the trade a positive from their perspective as well.

— The Minnesota Lynx have started the season with a 10-2 record, including eight straight wins. They are leading the WNBA in almost every conceivable category, including best record, most points scored, and fewest points against, while Napheesa Collier hasn’t played a single minute.

— Olivia Miles has been incredible to start her WNBA career. She has put up 17.8 points, 6.3 assists, and 5.2 rebounds per game on 53.2/37.1/91.2 percent shooting splits. Miles is well on her way to winning Rookie of the Year and may finish on the ballot for Most Valuable Player.

— It is still unclear when Collier will return to the court, but it appears as though the talk of her leaving in the offseason has died down at least for now, with the Lynx getting off to a hot start.

Actress Mariska Hargitay delivered a heartfelt message to Jalen Brunson after the Knicks’ historic comeback from down by as many as 29 to beat the Spurs 107-106 on Wednesday night at The Garden.

The “Law & Order: SVU” actress was ecstatic as she and Brunson, who finished with a game-high 36 points, hugged on the court.

“I love you so much, I’m so happy!” Hargitay said.

Before that, she sprinted onto the court and hugged Brunson’s father, Rick Brunson, an assistant to Knicks head coach Mike Brown and member of the 1999 New York Knicks team that reached the NBA Finals.

The moment was captured on video by actor Ben Stiller, a fellow diehard Knicks fan who last season described Hargitay as the “envy” or celebrity row.

“The love that Mariska Hargitay gets from you postgame is the envy of every other Knicks fan, Knicks celebrity fan. She gets a hug after a loss,” Stiller said on Brunson’s “Roommates” podcast with Josh Hart.

During a recent appearance on the “Today” show, Hargitay described Brunson as “magnificent” and called him “my inspiration.”

She previously said the two became friends when they learned they were fans of each other.

Hargitay sat with her friend, superstar singer Taylor Swift, and singing sisters, Este Haim and Alana Haim, at Game 4 — and they wore matching blue and orange shirts with “Stevie Knicks” written on them.

They were seen jumping up and down after a go-ahead tip-in by Knicks forward OG Anunoby with 1.2 seconds remaining sealed the win over San Antonio.

The Knicks could close out the series in Game 5 in San Antonio on Saturday.

Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a survey of fans across the NBA. Throughout the year we ask questions of the most plugged-in Celtics fans and fans across the country. Sign up here to participate in the weekly emailed surveys.

The Celtics will have roughly $20 million in wiggle room if they want to stay under the luxury tax next season. At their disposal are the $27 million traded player exception generated after dealing Anfernee Simons and the $15 million non-taxpayer mid-level exception. Brad Stevens is on record that he wants to add some rim pressure to the roster and after getting crushed by Joel Embiid in the first round, he could choose to add a penetrating point guard or a back-to-the-basket, rim-rolling big man to solve his team’s problems.

In their 2024 championship run, they really had the best of both worlds. In one offseason, Stevens added Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis and the rest is history. It’s unlikely that there are seismic opportunities like that this upcoming July, so the front office might be faced to make a choice between the two.

There are a few options on the table. Could Stevens and Mazzulla convince Coby White or Ayo Dosunmu to be the next starting point guard? With Nikola Vucevic reportedly not returning to Boston, is there a reunion with Porzingis or Robert Williams III in the future? Would the Celtics be willing to part with Derrick White or Sam Hauser to upgrade at the 1 and/or the 5?

With rumors dying down that Giannis Antetokounmpo — a player that would seemingly solve Boston’s problems — isn’t joining the Celtics, what would you do, armchair GM?

These Knicks fans are flying high — very, very high.

As the New York Knicks secured the Game 4 comeback win in the NBA Finals on OG Anunoby’s miraculous put-back shot with 1.2 seconds, you may have heard distant screams from 30,000 feet. 

After Wednesday’s history-making victory over the San Antonio Spurs, a viral video showed nearly every plane passenger on a flight glued to their screens, reacting to the nail-biting matchup together on individual seat screens, and erupting into cheers as the final seconds dropped to the buzzer

“That moment when the Knicks cinch the win on your flight back to New York,” the fan wrote. 

The video was filmed by Kyle Heiner, traveling in the dreamily blue-lit cabin of a Delta flight from Los Angeles International Airport to New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport.

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Another passenger also posted their angle of an excited, jaw-dropped young boy watching from his seat, followed by other passengers cheering in unison around him.

What caught the eye of multiple social media users, however, was the one passenger who was completely oblivious to it all — and while everyone cheered around him, he watched the animated movie Avatar.

“One guy watching Avatar while the whole plane is witnessing history, priorities are crazy,” one poster commented.

“Honestly I kind of admire the focus. He picked his universe and stayed there,” said another.

Even Delta Airlines — the operator of the flight — got in on the action, hailing the commitment of their passengers.

“THIS is community, ONE MORE TO GO,” the Delta Airlines account commented on the video. 

“Folks celebrated in the sky. It’s really that serious,” another user wrote. 

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Other die hard Knicks fans have been gathering to watch the historic run in the wackiest of places, like a funeral home, a planetarium

With the hometown heroes only one game away from winning their first championship in over 50 years, strangers are unifying in their shared joy of witnessing New York sports history. All across the five boroughs, bar watch parties and city streets are filled with electrified fans.

Tens of millions of other people have been catching this week’s nail-biters from more down-to-earth spots. Monday’s matchup was the most-watched Game 3 of the NBA Finals since 1988, Michael Jordan’s last final with the Bulls, raking in 23.8 million viewers.

Emotions were high even for players, with Karl-Anthony Towns and Jose Alverado on the verge of tears after the game, and Josh Hart shouting out teammate Anunoby for saving him from a “lifetime of regret” after missing a transition layup with 1.57 seconds left.

The Knicks will face the Spurs in San Antonio on Saturday for the chance to win the finals.

Every game of the NBA Finals will air on ABC. If you don’t have cable, you can take advantage of a DIRECTV free trial to cheer on the New York Knicks from home.

Want to be in the room where it happens? Shop NBA Finals tickets on SeatGeek and make sure to use promo code NYPOST10 for $10 off purchases over $250 at checkout if you’re a first-time SeatGeek user.

There’s only one reason the Utah Jazz should try to loosen the Washington Wizards’ vice-like grip on the number 1 pick in the NBA Draft: AJ Dybantsa. Combine his elite athleticism, prolific scoring and defensive potential with his close ties with Utah and the Jazz organization and we’re looking at a prospect who could thrill local fans for many years to come. But would the price to wrestle him away from a hungry Wizards team, when potential franchise players like Darryn Peterson and Cameron Boozer will still be available at number 2, be worth it?

The thought of Dybantsa slotting into the starting line up next to Markkanen, Jackson Jr., Keyonte George and Walker Kessler/Ace Bailey should have every Jazz fan drooling into their Cheerios. He is an elite scorer at all three levels, has an all-round game that opens up the floor and creates scoring opportunities for his teammates, and has the length and athleticism that make him an instant problem for opposing teams.

Dybantsa’s transition to the Jazz would be relatively easy. He has already spent two years in Utah, playing high school and college ball, and his parents are here too, having relocated to Provo when he declared for BYU. For their part the Jazz would be getting a rookie who is already acclimatized to the altitude and community and is more likely to stick around to not only shine in the short term, but to be part of their ultimate push for an NBA Championship.

The Jazz Owner, Ryan Smith, is keeping draft trade options open, telling the Deseret News that “Everything should be on the table” and that “Austin and Danny [Ainge] have also been known to do some pretty crazy stuff on draft night” (Deseret Voices Podcast, 5/12/26). Boston Celtics fans will remember the 2017 NBA draft when Danny Ainge traded the #1 pick to the 76ers to pick up Jason Tatum at #3. At the time this seemed a little crazy, but when you compare Tatum’s career to that of Markelle Fultz, who the 76ers drafted, you begin to see the method behind the madness. Are the Ainges preparing a similar surprise on draft night for the Utah Jazz?

Drafting Dybantsa would certainly put to rest some of the health concerns associated with Darryn Peterson or the worry over Cameron Boozer’s lack of athleticism. But assuming the Wizards are open to a trade, what kind of assets would they expect from the Jazz? You have to remember that Washington had their fans endure a similar slide to the cellar that we experienced here in Utah and are looking to build around recent acquisitions Anthony Davis and Trae Young. They will likely require a hefty (nonrefundable) deposit for the number 1 pick, which will almost certainly involve players and future draft capital.

Would the Jazz consider the loss of a Kyle Filipowski, a Cody Williams, or even an Isaiah Collier, along with a first round pick in the 2027 or 2028 draft? We have a mere 12 days to find out. One thing is for sure: Jazz management is looking at all options (crazy and otherwise) to maximize the return on what could be their most consequential draft in decades.

The New York Knicks are on the cusp of their first NBA championship in 53 years after the greatest comeback in the history of the NBA Finals. What was looking destined to be a tied series with the San Antonio Spurs through four games is now a commanding 3-1 Knicks lead, with the first of three title-clinching opportunities set for Saturday night in San Antonio.

Unlike the Spurs, whose core pieces have come through the draft, the Knicks are the polar opposite. Karl-Anthony Towns, Mikal Bridges, Josh Hart, and Game 4 hero OG Anunoby were all acquired via trade, while Jalen Brunson was the bargain of a free agent signing who got this era of Knicks basketball rolling. But there was another piece added at February’s trade deadline who had a massive role in New York’s epic 29-point rally.

Jose Alvarado, a fan favorite with the New Orleans Pelicans, was dealt to his hometown team for Dalen Terry, cash, and a couple of second-round picks. Aside from his high effort and pesky defense, Alvarado gave the Knicks with another ball-handling guard who could initiate offense and create rim pressure with Jalen Brunson off the court. During the regular season, Brunson and Alvarado played all of 114 minutes together through 20 games. In the postseason, that number dropped all the way to zero.

That is, until Knicks head coach Mike Brown made maybe one of the most impactful coaching adjustments we’ll ever see in a Finals game.

As had been the theme all playoffs, Brunson and Alvarado’s minutes were separate in the disastrous first half of Game 4. Alvarado played a shade over three minutes, fouled twice (perhaps fortunate to avoid a flagrant foul while grabbing Victor Wembanyama’s leg), and his turnover was a “bad pass” that sure looked like an uncalled goaltend against Luke Kornet.

Down by 19 points at the 5:33 mark of the third quarter, Brown sat the largely ineffective Mikal Bridges and paired Brunson and Alvarado together. Brunson was in for all but two defensive possessions (10 total seconds) in the second half, while Alvarado was in for 12 of the game’s final 17 minutes. It was the most Alvarado had played all postseason. The result was something the Spurs had no answers for.

In 9:40 of fourth quarter action, Alvarado scored 8 points on 3/3 shooting (including a critical 3 in clutch time), along with 2 rebounds and 3 assists, which was one fewer than the entire Spurs team had in the second half. The Knicks were a +19 overall in the Brunson-Alvarado minutes, and Alvarado had double the points of the rest of the bench, which combined to shoot 2/16.

“I know a lot of you guys can’t [clap] because you’re in the media and you’ve got to be neutral, but I’m gonna f—king clap for Jose,” Mike Brown said in his post-game press conference. “Sorry, Mom.

“Jose was unbelievable tonight. He changed the game. His speed, his ability to touch the paint. You give San Antonio a lot of credit for trying to throw a lot of different things at us defensively—kind of a match-up man/zone. If you don’t close out to Jose as hard as he works on his shot, he’s going to make you pay. If you close out to him, he’s quick enough to go by you. He made some great basketball plays offensively tonight, and then he was great defensively.”

Alvarado provided a much-needed release valve and screen-setter for Brunson in the face of Spurs double teams and constant on-ball pressuring up near half court. Brunson could work a little bit more off-ball while Alvarado spaced the floor in a way that, say, Josh Hart really cannot as a secondary ball-handler in a half-court offense.

“Jose’s been good in the pick-and-roll,” Brown said. “Jose’s been good touching the paint. And if Jalen wanted to get off the ball for a few possessions, Jose could handle it. And he could touch the paint and make the game easier for others. If Jalen was on the ball and the ball got sprayed and it found Jose, Jose can then touch the paint with his speed.

“So that’s all I was trying to do, is see if we could touch the paint a little bit more with the two guards out there, while the floor was spaced the right way, see if we can get some easy looks, especially from the three-point line, while trying to play faster.”

Mike Brown was in desperate search of something to crack the Spurs defense. Nothing was working in the first half and Karl-Anthony Towns’ early foul trouble created a cascading effect where he went seven-deep in his rotation. Much like in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals when Brown sat Josh Hart for the three-point shooting of Landry Shamet in New York’s other improbable 20+ point comeback, Brown unstuck the offense by finding his solution off the bench—an antithetical to what’s regularly felled his predecessor, Tom Thibodeau.

On an unforgettable, still scarcely believable night at Madison Square Garden, the decision to call on the New York City native to play the role of backcourt super sub alongside the Knicks’ superhero could end up as a championship-winning coaching masterstroke.

Bronny James gave his fans a rare glimpse into his personal life on Wednesday.

In an effort to shed light on CPR & Automated External Defibrillator Awareness Month, LeBron James’ son recorded a video where he spoke all about the 2023 cardiac arrest he suffered while he was practicing with the USC men’s basketball team.

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And in the footage, he shared for the first time on his social media page an image that showed off his heart surgery scar.

Bronny, who now plays guard for the Lakers alongside his dad, explained in the clip that he had been “in the best shape of my life” at the time of his medical emergency.

“Out of nowhere, I sat down for a little bit, got back up, walked around and kind of felt a little dizzy. A little nauseous,” he said.

“And then I ended up passing out. Woke up on the practice floor, like, ‘What happened?’”

Bronny said a coaching assistant saved his life by grabbing an AED and performing CPR.

“I’m alive today because medical staff and my coaches were prepared for the worst,” he said. “And it ended up saving my life. So, I’m really appreciative of that.”

Following the incident, Bronny was diagnosed with a congenital heart defect, and he underwent surgery to correct the issue a short time later.

The procedure was successful and Bronny hasn’t sustained a scare since. However, it all left him with a six-inch scar in the center of his chest, which could be seen prominently in the photo he shared in his Wednesday Instagram video.

Bronny, who released the vid in a partnership with the American Heart Association, finished his message by imploring his fans and followers to get familiar with CPR in the hopes that it will save more lives like his going forward.

“Learn it,” he wrote in a caption on the video. “Practice it. Be ready.”