Mar 13, 2026; San Francisco, California, USA; Golden State Warriors forward Kristaps Porzingis (7) spins away from Minnesota Timberwolves guard Ayo Dosunmu (13) in the third quarter at the Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-Imagn Images | Cary Edmondson-Imagn Images
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?
“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.
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.
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.
NEW YORK, NY - JUNE 9: Stephon Castle #5 of the San Antonio Spurs and AJ Dybantsa pose for a picture during 2026 NBA Finals Practice and Media Availability on June 9, 2026 at Madison Square Garden in New York, New York. Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
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.
NEW YORK, NY - JUNE 5: Jose Alvarado #5 and Head Coach Mike Brown of the New York Knicks talk during the game against the San Antonio Spurs during Game Three of the 2026 NBA Finals on June 8, 2026 at Madison Square Garden in New York, New York. 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 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.
NYK scored 1.727 points per possession with these two on the court in G4.
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.
The Jose Alvarado 4Q sequence. Working off the tilted defense the Spurs were sending towards Jalen Brunson.
“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.
DENVER, CO - JUNE 5: Starting pitcher Ryan Feltner #18 of the Colorado Rockies delivers a pitch in the second inning against the Milwaukee Brewers at Coors Field on June 5, 2026 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The rookies pulled through for the Colorado Rockies as they secured a series victory with a 3-2 victory on Tuesday. Pitching was great for both teams, and things didn’t really happen until the final two innings. TJ Rumfield had a go-ahead home run and Sterlin Thompson later delivered the walk-off single. Now, the Rockies look to sweep the Cubs to close out the homestand.
Ryan Feltner (2-1, 4.22 ERA) takes the hill for the Rockies, looking to continue his string of quality starts. Since returning from the injured list, Felter has allowed just one run on five hits over 12 innings with six strikeouts and two walks. He has done a good job of throwing strikes and getting soft contact. Even more important has been the ability to keep composure on the mound to not let things spiral out of control. In his last start against the Milwaukee Brewers, he ended up throwing 37 pitches in the second inning, but worked out of the jam and went back to being efficient for six innings. He has made one career start against the Cubs back in 2022, where he allowed three runs on six hits over 5.1 innings.
Edward Cabrera (3-3, 4.99 ERA) makes the start for the Cubs, his second since returning from the injured list last week. After a solid run in Miami, the Cubs acquired Cabrera in a trade over the offseason to solidify the rotation. He has been decent for the Cubs, but it’s been a little inconsistent as he has had a hard time preventing runs. After two scoreless outings to begin the year, he has allowed at least three runs in every start since, including a season-high eight runs in his previous start against the San Francisco Giants. He can get wild at times, resulting in several walks, but he also has utilized his deep arsenal to get strikeouts. Cabrera has made four career starts against the Rockies, posting a 4.22 ERA over 21.1 innings. Three of those starts have come at Coors Field with a 3.12 ERA.
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.
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.
Bronny James #6 of the USC Trojans warms up prior to the game against the Long Beach State 49ers at Galen Center on December 10, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. Getty Images
“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.”
Bronny James’ heart surgery scar runs about six inches. Instagram/@american_heartBronny James of the Los Angeles Lakers shoots over Ziaire Williams of the Brooklyn Nets. Corey Sipkin for NY Post
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.”
ARLINGTON, TEXAS - MAY 9: Jalen Beeks #68 of the Texas Rangers pitches against the Chicago Cubs during the fourth inning at Globe Life Field on May 9, 2026 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ron Jenkins/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Texas Rangers have placed lefthanded reliever Jalen Beeks on the 15 day injured list with back spasms, the team announced today. To take his place on the active roster, the Rangers have recalled righthanded reliever Luis Curvelo from AAA Round Rock.
Beeks was one of the legion of relief arms the Rangers signed to one year deals this past offseason. He has a 3.81 ERA in 26 innings over 29 games so far this season, although with a 5.41 FIP, owing to the fact he’s allowed six homers already this season. He last pitched on Tuesday, in the opener in the series against the Royals, when he faced five batters, retired two of them, and gave up three hits, including a homer.
Curvelo started the season in AAA, but has now been recalled three times, with a stint on the major league injured list mixed in. He has allowed five runs in 7.1 IP over 7 games.
As her famous friends celebrated, Selena Gomez was in pain across the Atlantic.
Gomez, who is currently in London, took to social media to reveal her “heart break” after watching her beloved Spurs blow a 29-point lead to the Knicks in Game 4 of the NBA Finals.
Gomez shared a photo of a previous trip she made to MSG with friends, while rocking a Spurs jersey.
Gomez took to social media to describe her feelings after her Spurs blow a 29-point lead to the Knicks. Instagram/@selenagomezTaylor Swift gestures as Este Haim, right, looks on during the second half of Game 4 of the NBA Finals basketball series, Wednesday, June 10, 2026, in New York. AP Photo/Frank Franklin II
“Happy for NY but my heart breaks just a lil lol,” Gomez wrote. “It’s okay. I’m happy for the team! Thanks for giving us some great games @NBA.”
“3 am in London but can’t miss it,” Gomez, a Grand Prairie, Texas native, posted on Instagram with a photo of her watching the game on a laptop.
Gomez watched as new Knicks hero OG Anunoby tipped in the game-winning basket with 1.2 seconds left to the give the Knicks a 107-106 that he would hold onto after a defensive stop.
New York Knicks forward Og Anunoby #8, falls to the floor after scoring the game winning basket with a put back as New York Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns #32, watches the ball go through the net in the 4th quarter. Charles Wenzelberg / New York PostGomez is tight with pop star Taylor Swift, who was sitting front and center on Celebrity Row with the Haim Sisters. Instagram/@selenagomez
The Knicks now own a 3-1 series lead with Game 5 back in San Antonio on Saturday night.
After the shot, all of Madison Square Garden and the city of New York erupted in cheers, celebrating the largest comeback to take place in NBA Finals history, leaving the Knicks just one win away from winning their first NBA Finals since 1973.
Download The California Post App, follow us on social, and subscribe to our newsletters
Madison Square Garden was packed out with celebrities attending, as Swift, Timothée Chalamet, Ben Stiller, and Spike Lee were all in attendance rooting on the Knicks.
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - NOVEMBER 22: Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics and Derrick White #9 defend a shot from Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks during the second half at TD Garden on November 22, 2023 in Boston, Massachusetts. The Celtics defeat the Bucks 119-116. 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
As the New York Knicks made an incredible 29-point comeback to beat the San Antonio Spurs in Game 4 of the NBA Finals on Wednesday night, there were rumblings of a potential Giannis Antetokounmpo trade to the Boston Celtics starting to resurface. A clip from the new episode of The Bill Simmons Podcast on Spotify started to circulate where he changed his tune on Boston potentially being interested in the Bucks superstar.
“I thought Boston was out of this. I know Boston is out of this and I was wondering if they were playing possum or not,” Simmons said. “I think they were playing a little possum, I think they’re in on Giannis.”
He continued to speculate on Boston potentially seeing the offer from the Miami Heat for Antetokounmpo and thinking they could beat it or just wanting to drive up the price against a conference rival. The Heat’s offer is not really a secret since they have waived around the same trade package for a superstar for years now, mostly consisting of Tyler Herro, Kel’el Ware, and Jaime Jaquez Jr. plus draft capital.
According to his intel, Giannis “really wants to end up in Boston because he would have the best chance to win a title and I think Boston is not ruling out the idea.” He also mentioned the $27.7 million trade exception Boston got in the Anferenee Simons trade and the press conference Brad Stevens had at the end of the season after the Celtics were knocked out of the playoffs by the Philadelphia 76ers as a potential reason for Boston to make big changes to the roster.
“I thought they were sitting out this Giannis thing and I no longer think that,” Simmons concluded.
Bill Simmons new update on the Celtics potentially trading for Giannis Antetokounmpo:
We saw more speculation started to arise on this morning from Jake Fischer of The Stein Line. He added an amendment on his reporting from his Bleacher Report stream on Tuesday where he said the Miami Heat and Portland Trail Blazers were the only two teams active in the Giannis trade market, but the Boston Celtics seem to be lurking in the shadows.
Fischer reported: “Earlier in the week, league sources with knowledge of the situation maintained that Boston had not yet seriously engaged Milwaukee on an Antetokounmpo trade … but they also declined to rule out the possibility of the Celtics eventually entering the fray. Rival teams, furthermore, continue to point to Boston’s various assets as illustrating its ability to become a factor here. They also note that Antetokounmpo shares a skills coach with Jayson Tatum (Drew Hanlen) and is believed to have a level of interest in landing with the Celtics on top of his well-chronicled affinity for Miami.”
He continued by saying the Celtics have not engaged in any trade talks with Jaylen Brown after his breakout 2025-26 season where he finished All-NBA Second Team and 6th in NBA MVP voting, but it also hasn’t been ruled out as a possibility. Portland is skeptical Giannis will sign an extension with them and Miami is banking on his previous interest from reports all the way back in 2020 offseason.
Regardless of the outcome, it feels funny to think that Brad Stevens is this mysterious monster from the Backrooms that could swoop in out of nowhere to steal Giannis away. It wouldn’t be the first time Pat Riley went blow for blow with a Celtics executive for the same player during the offseason. From all the reporting. it still doesn’t seem likely but Stevens has never leaked anything to the public when it comes to his moves so you never really know.
The Miami Heat are reportedly ‘genuinely concerned’ about the Boston Celtics, per @JakeLFischer
“Rival teams, furthermore, continue to point to Boston's various assets as illustrating its ability to become a factor here. They also note that Antetokounmpo shares a skills coach… pic.twitter.com/ABI18h3vhL
Jaylen Brown is currently on a trip traveling through China, but this morning put out a tweet that may have been a response to the Simmons and Fischer rumors that were circulating saying: “The neighbors rice always smells better.”
Although the idea of Jaylen subtweeting about the reports with a response of “the grass isn’t always greener on the other side” is an interesting idea, it could most likely just be something related to his current trip. Based on the previous reporting we have seen, Boston doesn’t seem very eager to get a deal for Antetokounmpo and move off of Brown in any way.
Previous Reporting
On Tuesday June 9th, CelticsBlog put out an article highlighting the interview Bobby Manning of CLNS did with Brian Windhorst of ESPN where he talked about what he had heard on the Giannis to the Celtics front. When Manning asked Windhorst his thoughts on the trade, he said “I have not heard that Boston is on Giannis’ list…I have not heard that Giannis is prepared to sign an extension with Boston. So frankly, the Jaylen Brown part is moot to me.”
This interview did come out two days ago but reports travel fast in the NBA world and if the reports from Simmons and Fischer are true, it feels like Boston could be really moving in silence. In my mind, I still don’t see the Celtics making a deal for Giannis Antetokounmpo. The fact Giannis is going to be in his mid-30s, the injury toll that he has accrued in the last few seasons, and the possibility of him not wanting to sign an extension could be the difference maker in Boston’s decision.
It wouldn’t surprise me at all if Stevens and the Celtics front office just decided to just add smaller pieces around the already established core of Jayson Tatum with a full offseason of rest, Jaylen Brown coming off the best season of his career, and Derrick White potentially having a bounce back season. It is critical that they add a big man this offseason, but it doesn’t have to be the biggest fish on the market unless they really wanted to. Brad Stevens has kept everything silent in his tenure as the Celtics President of Basketball Operations so we will only really know if these reports are true if we see Giannis given an actual Celtics uniform in a press conference.
KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI - JUNE 09: Jac Caglianone #14 of the Kansas City Royals celebrates his two-run home run against the Texas Rangers in the sixth inning at Kauffman Stadium on June 09, 2026 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Ed Zurga/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Royals still have a chance to win the series this afternoon.
Michael Wacha get the start. He gave up six runs in five innings against the Rangers in Texas, his worst start of the year. Jac Caglianone gets moved up to the cleanup spot and Kameron Misner gets his first start in a Royals uniform.
Golden Knights vs Hurricanes goal scorer predictions for Game 5
Player to score a goal
Odds
Jackson Blake
+275
Jordan Martinook
+540
Brett Howden
+270
💲Goal scorer parlay
+3500
Goal scorer pick: Jackson Blake (+275)
Jackson Blake has been a revelation in these playoffs, scoring six goals and adding 12 assists. The youngster netted his first goal of the Stanley Cup Final in Game 4 and has recorded five shots on goal across the last two contests. Blake has also generated five individual high-danger chances in the series.
Looking at the postseason as a whole, Blake leads the Carolina Hurricanes with 29 individual high-danger chances. He's consistently putting himself in dangerous scoring areas, and the volume of quality opportunities continues to support another goal-scoring performance.
I'll play this pick to +200.
Goal scorer pick: Jordan Martinook (+540)
This one may feel like a bit of a long shot, but hear me out. Jordan Martinook has one goal in the Stanley Cup Final and is getting pucks on net, recording seven shots on goal across the last three games.
Despite scoring just twice this postseason, Martinook has generated 17 individual high-danger chances, one of the best marks on Carolina's roster.
Additionally, Martinook has produced 3.64 individual expected goals and 45 individual Fenwick attempts during the playoffs. The opportunities haven't translated into goals as often as he'd like, but the underlying numbers suggest he's been far more involved offensively than his goal total indicates.
I'll play this pick to +400.
Goal scorer pick: Brett Howden (+270)
Brett Howden has quickly made a name for himself in the playoffs. He leads the Vegas Golden Knights with 14 goals in just 20 games and has already scored four times in the Stanley Cup Final. The center has generated 22 individual high-danger chances this postseason, including 14 on the road.
In the Final alone, Howden has produced 12 individual Fenwick attempts, ranking third on Vegas. The veteran continues to put himself in dangerous scoring areas, and the underlying chance generation suggests more opportunities should follow.
I'll play this to +200.
Golden Knights vs Hurricanes anytime goal parlay
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change. Not intended for use in MA. Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.
ATLANTA, GEORGIA - JUNE 5: Martin Perez #33 of the Atlanta Braves pitches during the third inning against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Truist Park on June 5, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images) | Getty Images
I don’t know if it’s just me, but I’ve been kind of checked out during this series. The Braves’ 2026 season has been very exciting so far, but there’s just been a confluence of events that have sort of made me pay less attention than to any other set so far this season:
The start time is kind of weird and runs right across me putting the kids to bed. The pitch clock and other aspects of games this season have made it so games were either starting late (West Coast trip games) or largely decided by kid-bedtime, these scheduled 7:40 pm ET starts mean the meat of the action happens then.
The pitching management in the first game was just as clear of a, “Yeah, we don’t really care about this game” signal as possible.
Yesterday’s game was just a low-energy, nothing carries meh-fest.
Anyway, put all that together, and the Braves are on the brink of getting swept on Chicago’s South Side… unless they can salvage a game. It’s a weird position for this team — this is only their third series loss, the first time they’ve lost the first two games of a series, and only their fourth time they’ve lost consecutive games (including a three-game losing streak in early April, which is their longest of the year so far).
But, standing in the way of the potentially-added excitement of avoiding a sweep by the White Sox, of all teams… is the fact that Martin Perez is starting.
As I’ve noted before, Martin Perez just kind of does something to my perception and ability to enjoy a game. I can’t really put my finger on what it is, exactly, it’s more je ne sais quoi (or, in this case, the opposite of that — is there a similar concept but with a negative connotation?) To be clear, it’s not even that I think Perez is especially bad, or bound to implode; his line on the season is 73/98/96 (ERA-/FIP-/xFIP-) which is slightly better than average, and as a starter over his last four turns in the rotation, he’s at 105/94/99. A league-average starter performance for very cheap isn’t anything to sneeze at, but I’m not proverbially sneezing because of the outcome. It’s just…
Perez mainly throws three pitches, sprinkling in another two here and there. The movement profile on every pitch is poor. For example, he throws a slower changeup than most guys (because he throws slower than most guys), yet it somehow has less drop than even an average changeup. You’d think that maybe with a lack of stuff, there’s a command improvement, but Perez isn’t really hitting targets well, either. You can go to Baseball Savant and see his pitch plots — there’s nothing pinpoint there except for the curve, which he throws less than ten percent of the time. The cutter is a get-me-over mess and his sinker is largely thrown middle-middle. He doesn’t get much chase, he doesn’t get many whiffs, but he also doesn’t really avoid walks. As I’ve described before, his starts feel like plinko or pachinko — what happens is ultimately just up to whether the balls guys hit off him happen to be squared up and/or towards a defender. Sometimes they are, and the team is fine, even if he has poor peripherals on the day. Sometimes, they aren’t, and woof.
Perez actually spent a while throwing the ball for the White Sox last year, so he’ll be facing some old teammates. He didn’t have a very remarkable 2025, as he made just 11 appearances (10 starts), with a very fortunate 86/99/118 line. He went down in mid-April with a flexor strain, missed most of the season, and then returned for about a month in mid-August before he was shut down with a shoulder strain in mid-September.
The White Sox haven’t announced a starter. They might be doing another opener-esque thing. If so, Anthony Kay may be the starter. If he is, it’ll be kind of a mixed bag for the Braves. Kay hasn’t pitched all that well after a two-year stint in Japan (105/128/120), but the Braves also haven’t hit well at all when another team has used an opener against them. Kay was crushed by the Phillies in his last start, snapping a streak of three straight where he had allowed exactly one run… even without particularly good peripherals in the process. The White Sox used an opener for Kay a couple of times in April and then seemingly abandoned the idea, but maybe they’re trying it again after seeing how the Braves didn’t really do anything against Erick Fedde in the opener of this game. In any case, given the Perez pachinko, it’ll be up to the Braves to snap out of their offensive doldrums to avoid the sweep.
HOUSTON, TEXAS - MARCH 26: Kingston Flemings #4 of the Houston Cougars drives to the basket against Kylan Boswell #4 of the Illinois Fighting Illini during the first half in the Sweet Sixteen of the 2026 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Toyota Center on March 26, 2026 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Alex Slitz/Getty Images) | Getty Images
They’re still going to work at HSS Training Center, still working out prospects, interviewing them too. They’re talking to agents, too, about their clients. Whatever happens on the other side of the East River isn’t going to stop the process. Carry on.
Obviously, the NBA Draft, now 12 days and a great deal of fan anxiety away, tops the list of priorities. We try to keep track of who’s been in — or in the case of Mikel Brown Jr., who’s been visited — at this point, various reports have identified a total of 26. Here’s the latest, courtesy of USA Today’s Rookie Wire and Hoophype workout trackers.
Tre White, Kansas 6’7” sharpshooting wing who had splits of 45/40/87 and proved himself a workhorse of the Jayhawks, playing 31.5 minutes per in 35 games.
Michael Ajayi, a 6’7”, 235 pound power forward at Butler, he averaged a double-double: 16.4 points and 11.1 boards while playing solid defense for the Bulldogs.
Seth Trimble, North Carolina, another 6’7” senior like White and Ajayi, he’s more of a combo guard.
Milos Uzan, a 6’4” 23-year-old point guard for the Houston Cougars with remarkable durability, having played 77 games over the past two years while averaging 11.1 points and 4.0 assists.
Lamar Wilkerson, Indiana’s 6’6” shooting guard who’s been one of the NCAA’s top scorers the last two years, averaging better than 20 points a game both years while shooting better than 40% from deep.
Of that group, only White is on anyone’s Top 100 Big Board, at No. 65.
Also scheduled is Kingston Flemings, the Houston lead guard who of course has long been tagged as a possible pick between Nos. 5 and 8. Brett Siegel is reporting both the Clippers picking at No. 5 and Nets are brining him in this week. No word on when he’ll be in.
Flemings is the most diminutive of the four guards seen as possible Nets picks at No. 6, measuring 6’2.5” at the NBA Combine, a half inch taller than Danius Acuff but with a wingspan almost three inches shorter. Where Flemings exceled at the Combine was in the athletic measures. He was first around the four in shuttle run, standing vertical and max vertical — an impressive 40.5^ — and second, by one one-hundredth of a second, to Acuff in the 3/4-court sprint. That as well as his defense is what sets him apart. His shooting isn’t bad either. He was first in the 3-point star drill (19/25) and second in shooting off the dribble. Can he convince the Nets brass to look beyond his size?
Of course, as many have suggested, Jalen Brunson’s exploits in New York have many re-thinking small guards in general. Acuff has been quoted repeatedly that he has has been studying Brunson and a league decision maker told ND after their second year of bad lottery luck their best option might be “take one of the guards and for the best. Maybe Acuff if you think he can be like Brunson for you.”
No word (yet) on how the two bigs — Nate Ament and Karim Lopez — fared in their faceoff Tuesday, but the very fact that the Nets set up such a 1-on-1 is a pretty good indicator there’s interest either at No. 6 or if the team succeeds in adding a second pick close enough to the top of the Draft to snag them. Going back as far as last fall, a Nets insider expressed interest in getting another pick in the loaded 2026 Draft while that same league decision-maker quoted above told ND that there is only one reason a GM accumulates as many picks. “The only reason you bank so many firsts like that is to be able to strike opportunistically,” he said.
As for moving down, that seems less likely with multiple sources saying it appears that the Nets will stay at No. 6. The most recent such report came Thursday with Jake Fischer of The Steinline writing that the Nets are “indicating at this juncture” that they intend to stay where the Lottery put them.
Will other chess pieces move between now and 7:30 p.m. ET on June 23? Fischer devotes a lot of his latest report to that question (after suggesting that the Celtics may join the Heat in pursuit of Giannis Antetokounmpo.)
Most teams picking behind the Clippers are currently operating under the assumption that LA will stand pat and keep their No. 5 overall selection … with Wagler as a strong candidate to be taken with the pick that the Clippers only acquired when the May 10 lottery dropped Indiana’s pick out of the top four. The Pacers were then compelled to send it to Clipperland as part of their February trade to acquire Ivica Zubac.
If the Nets decide that they prefer to keep the No. 6 overall selection — as they are indicating at this juncture — that could mean that Dallas at No. 9 proves to be the highest-slotted team willing to move down.
Sacramento, which holds the No. 7 selection, has been widely connected to Acuff due largely to the fact Kings general manager Scott Perry once coached Acuff’s father at Eastern Kentucky in the 1990s. That connection has also sparked considerable chatter about Sacramento wanting to move up to ensure that it can land Acuff, but sources tell The Stein Line that the Kings are comfortable staying where they are.
As for the oft-rumored possibility that the Thunder might be willing to move either the 12th or 17th picks, Fischer wrote this:
The Thunder, as we’ve covered on numerous occasions recently, simply don’t have roster room to make (and keep) all of their current draft selections: Nos. 12, 17 and 37. They already have 15 players under contract for next season.
What a lot of fans don’t realize is that the next Nets move may not wait until June 23 and the Draft. It could come in days. As Bobby Marks reminded people in a tweet Thursday, teams can start negotiating with their own free agents the day after the NBA crowns its 2025-26 champion. That could be as early as this weekend if the Knicks beat the Spurs in San Antonio Saturday night.
The big name for the Nets, of course, is Michael Porter Jr., seen four days ago enjoying the ruins at Machu Picchu in Peru.
Mike Scotto of Hoopshype wrote Wednesday about his status, suggesting that while the Nets seem willing to extend him, that could change.
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.
With Porter Jr. entering the prime of his career and the Nets in the midst of a rebuild, executives across the league have always questioned if their timelines would fit beyond his current contract. If the Nets don’t agree to an extension with Porter Jr., teams around the league are expected to poke around on his trade availability.
Historically, when the Nets want to keep one of their veteran players, they have a tendency to move quickly. Over the last several years, they’ve signed Kevin Durant, Joe Harris, Nic Claxton and Cam Johnson to big deals without much fuss. (Interesting side note Scotto had on Mann who will be eligible for his own extension on October 1.)
Also, Thursday, Yossi Gozlan of Third Apron provided an example of how an MPJ contract could work within the Nets salary cap.
Third Apron has gone back and forth on Porter Jr.’s value on his current contract, but something in the mid-$30 million range, like Bridges’ recent deal, makes sense. The Nets could use roughly $9 million of their cap space to raise his $40.8 million salary to his $49.5 million maximum salary. They could then add up to four additional seasons with his 2027-28 salary reduced by 40 percent.
Here’s an example of a framework that could make sense:
2026-27: $40,806,150 $49,500,000 (30 percent of the salary cap)
2027-28: $29,700,000 (18 percent)
2028-29: $32,076,000 (18.5 percent)
2029-30: $34,452,000 (18.9 percent)
2030-31: $36,828,000 (19.3 percent)
Such a framework could pay Porter Jr. a lucrative deal over multiple years while keeping his annual salary lower in the later seasons. That could increase his trade value in the future if he continues playing well on a team-friendly contract.
There will be other free agency decisions for Sean Marks & co. in the near future, Gozlan wrote, the most prominent and most likely being Day-Ron Sharpe.
Day’Ron Sharpe has a $6.25 million team option that he’s outplayed. The Nets could decline it and make him an unrestricted free agent while retaining Bird rights, and they could begin negotiating a new contract with him once the Finals end. Both sides could agree to a deal that gives him a higher annual salary while locking in multiple years.
There’s a lot of digest there, as there is after Wednesday’s Knicks-Spurs game that has to be considered one of the best basketball games ever played anywhere. As we noted in a tweet, good for those fans who followed the Knicks through their deepest, darkest days. Hoping we can do the same … some day.
The Spurs may have been their own heel on Wednesday night.
A historic 29-point collapse in Game 4 against the Knicks — a 107-106 loss that left them on the brink of NBA Finals runner-up status — perhaps left too much on the extremely high shoulders of 7-foot-4 phenom Victor Wembanyama.
“Second half he plays all but 57 seconds… I feel like he totally ran out of gas,” ESPN insider Brian Windhorst said on “Get Up” on Thursday morning. “I don’t understand why he was not getting more rest in the game. At the end of the third quarter he’d played five more minutes than he played in Game 3 and that was a one-point game this was a 15-point game.
Wembanyama shooting free throws in Game 4 of the NBA finals NBAE via Getty Images
“He couldn’t move defensively, that made it easier for the Knicks and offensively, he was unable to get anything. At one point he went 1 of 10. When he gets fatigued he starts flopping around.”
In Game 3, Wembanyama cemented himself as a force and a Knicks villain, posting 32 points with eight rebounds and six assists in 39 minutes during the 115-111 win at the Garden. He seemed destined to follow it up on Wednesday as he trolled the hometown team throughout the first half as the Spurs built up a 29-point lead, scoring 16 of his own with six rebounds and a pair of massive blocks.
In return, Windhorst believes coach Mitch Johnson did him no favors, playing him 23:02 of a possible 24 minutes as he went 3 of 14 from the field for eight points as San Antonio helplessly watched its lead dwindle.
He finished the night with 43:55 played, well above is postseason average of 34 and his highest non-overtime total of the playoffs with 24 points — his lowest output of the NBA Finals.
AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin
“I gotta say, if you are going to talk trash and you are going to do some of the stuff that he does — which he does — you can’t let this happen at the end of the game,” the longtime reporter said.
With just 1:47 left in the fourth quarter, Wenbanyama stepped up to the foul line looking to extend the Spurs’ one-point lead. But the possible fatigue and the overwhelming arena atmosphere appeared to get to him. The center, usually very composed at the line, missed both of his free throws attempts.
“I think it began before that,” the Frenchman said of the fourth-quarter collapse. “I can’t really explain it right now. I don’t know. I think it’s just execution, greediness of some sort. We clearly weren’t the most hungry in the second half.”
For Wembanyama and the Spurs, now their backs are against the wall. The Spurs will now have to win three straight games to win the NBA championship.
A grueling first half of foul trouble limited Karl-Anthony Towns' impact in Game 4 of the NBA Finals
But with everything on the line in tonight's Knicks vs. Spurs predictions, my expert projections favor a disciplined bounce-back for KAT in Game 5.
Look for the 7-foot star to anchor the interior and blow past his current prop totals as he tries to secure a championship for the Knicks, who are 5.5-point underdogs.
Find out why in my NBA picks for Saturday, June 13, and don't miss tip-off at 8:30 p.m. ET on ABC.
UPDATE: Added prediction for who will win & a +900 SGP!
Knicks vs Spurs Game 5 prediction
Who will win Knicks vs Spurs Game 5?
Spurs: This series is much tighter than the 3-1 count would lead you to believe. San Antonio goes home to recover from the massive gut punch that was another blown lead, but has an extra day between games to rest up and shake off the stink of that 29-point implosion. So many little things have bounced New York’s way in this series – and in the playoffs overall – that there has to be regression. A letdown spot after a magical night in MSG and traveling to Texas could allow reality to bubble to the surface. I’ll side with the oddsmakers and say San Antonio survives Game 5.
Knicks vs Spurs best bet: Karl-Anthony Towns Over 17.5 points (+100)
Karl-Anthony Towns sat for most of the first half of Game 4 but was ready to roll in the second half, playing 18 of 24 minutes.
His offense, however, was understandably spotty, and much like Game 3, Towns couldn’t get into a rhythm. Mike Brown’s plan for Game 4 was to get Towns going early, but that went out the window.
I’m not backing off KAT in Game 5. He salvaged 13 points Wednesday, not too short of his total of 17.5, considering the circumstances.
Projections sit as high as 21+ with my number at 18.7 points, which should have Over 17.5 listed at -118.
COVERS INTEL:Towns’ usage was at 23.5% in his limited time in the first half of Game 4, in which he scored six points in just eight minutes. That’s higher than his average usage of 19.9% in the first two games in San Antonio, when KAT finished with 18 and 21 points.
Knicks vs Spurs Game 5 same-game parlay
The San Antonio Spurs’ inexperience has them backed into a 3-1 hole, but that youth could also be a strength in this spot. San Antonio is just young and dumb enough to shake Game 4.
The extended two-day break also works in their favor, especially when it comes to recharging Victor Wembanyama’s draining batteries. He looked tired and passive in the second half on Wednesday.
The Spurs have had the New York Knicks by the throat several times in the series and have shown resiliency enough in the playoffs, going 7-2 SU and ATS off a loss. They might not cover a bigger number, but can stay alive in Game 5.
Towns was passive in Game 3 and then got two quick whistles to ice his offense in Game 4. Mike Brown wants to run his offense through KAT, and we’ll see that in Game 5... as long as the refs don’t get trigger-happy.
Towns looked great in San Antonio in the opening two games, and his scoring prop is providing great value, with projections calling for 21+ points on Saturday.
Much like KAT, Stephon Castle got into foul trouble and couldn’t find his stroke in Game 4, shooting just 2-for-7 from the field. He kept attacking and knocked down all eight of his free-throw attempts.
Castle finished with 13 points in just 26 minutes — tying his second-lowest action in the postseason. Game 5 models sit as high as 19 points from the Spurs guard, given his standard floor time.
Knicks vs Spurs SGP
Spurs moneyline
Karl-Anthony Towns Over 17.5 points
Stephon Castle Over 16.5 points
Our "from downtown" SGP: Luck Number Seven (Footers)
Game 5 could be a battle of the bigs. Karl-Anthony Towns was a beast on the boards in the second half of Game 4, and his Game 5 forecasts call for as many 21+ and 14+ rebounds.
Victor Wembanyama carries the hopes of Texas basketball fans Saturday. The two days of downtime will help “The Alien” rest up, with his projections as high as 29 points.
Wembanyama will be contesting everything – from 3-pointers to layups. Expect an incredible two-way effort from him with the season on the line.
Knicks vs Spurs SGP
Victor Wembanyama Over 27.5 points
Victor Wembanyama Over 3.5 blocks
Karl-Anthony Towns Over 17.5 points
Karl-Anthony Towns Over 11.5 rebounds
Knicks vs Spurs odds for Game 5
Spread: New York +5.5 (-110) | San Antonio -5.5 (-110)
Moneyline: New York +170 | San Antonio -205
Over/Under: Over 216.5 (-110) | Under 216.5 (-110)
Knicks vs Spurs betting trend to know
The Under is 1-3 in the 2026 NBA Finals heading into Game 5, with the total sitting at 216.5 O/U. The Under has been the correct side of the total, with finals games going 45-69 O/U since the 2005-06 season (60.5%). Find more NBA betting trends for Knicks vs. Spurs.
How to watch Knicks vs Spurs Game 5
Location
Frost Bank Center, San Antonio, TX
Date
Saturday, June 13, 2026
Tip-off
8:30 p.m. ET
TV
ABC
Knicks vs Spurs latest injuries
Not intended for use in MA. Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.
Jackson Blake
Brett Howden
COVERS INTEL: