Knicks guard Josh Hart's wife, Shannon wasn't sure what was happening during a ride share while in San Antonio for the 2026 NBA Finals.
Knicks guard Josh Hart’s wife, Shannon, wasn’t sure what was happening during a ride share while in San Antonio for the 2026 NBA Finals.
Taking to her Instagram Story Tuesday night, Shannon shared a video of a driver singing karaoke and said he wouldn’t operate the vehicle until he was done with the song.
“San Antonio is really about to piss me off because wtf is going on here ???” Shannon wrote. “And he won’t drive until he finishes the song.”
Shannon Hart shared a video of her driver singing while in San Antonio. Instagram/Shannon Hart
Shannon did not elaborate further on the bizarre situation.
Earlier that day, she showed some behind the scenes of her arrival in San Antonio, as the Spurs host the Knicks for Game 1 of the finals Wednesday night.
She shared a snapshot of a plane and another image riding in a bus with a police escort.
Shannon Hart arriving in San Antonio in an Instagram Story posted on June 2, 2026. Instagram/Shannon Hart
The Harts, who were high school sweethearts, tied the knot in August 2021. They share 3-year-old twin sons Hendrix Aaron and Haze Dana
They have won 11 straight games — completing series sweeps of the Sixers and Cavaliers, respectively — en route to the Finals for the first time since 1999, when they lost in five games to the Spurs.
Knicks guard Josh Hart’s wife, Shannon at Madison Square Garden during the 2026 NBA Playoffs. Instagram/Shannon HartJosh Hart #3 of the New York Knicks dribbles the ball during the game against the Cleveland Cavaliers during Game 3 of the 2026 Eastern Conference Finals on May 23, 2026 at Rocket Arena in Cleveland, Ohio. NBAE via Getty Images
New York had eight days off, while San Antonio had three before the start of the NBA Finals.
The Spurs beat the defending-champion Oklahoma City Thunder 111-103 in Game 7 of the Western Conference finals on Saturday.
“I deserve some credit, so I’m going to take it,” Smith said. “You know, when I called the Knicks out, I almost had a stroke on national television. They didn’t lose since. They’ve been 11-0.”
Stephen A. Smith looking at the camera on “First Take” during Knicks rant after Game 3 loss to the Atlanta Hawks. ESPN YouTube
“Let me tell y’all something right now. Change is coming to New York City. There’s going to be another head coach in New York City if they lose this series.” Smith said on “First Take” at the time. “Several players are going to be gone from New York City if y’all lose this game.”
Mikal Bridges did not score in the Game 3 loss, Josh Hart had only two points and the bench provided just 30 points.
The Knicks shot 40-of-93 (43%) from the field and 10-of-35 (29%) from behind the arc in the game.
Stephen A. Smith speaks at SiriusXM on Radio Row at Super Bowl LX. Getty Images for SiriusXM
“Bunch of sorry asses right now. I’m so sick of what I’m seeing right now. I’m losing my damn mind,” Smith said while continuing his rant for nearly five more minutes.
Since then, though, the Knicks have won 11 straight, including the sixth-largest playoff victory in NBA history in a 41-point Game 6 win over the Hawks.
Bridges has improved since Game 3 as well, averaging 14.6 points per game, 3.1 rebounds, and 2.5 assists in the playoffs.
Smith said Wednesday that the Knicks aren’t winning the Finals without him.
New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson speaks with the media prior to the start of the NBA Finals basketball series against the San Antonio Spurs, Tuesday, June 2, 2026, in San Antonio. AP Photo/Eric Gay
Despite more optimism from recent performances, Smith added a warning to the Knicks on Wednesday that the job is far from over.
“There’s a level of urgency that’s not just because it’s the NBA finals. The Spurs can kick your ass,” Smith said Wednesday. “You got to show up.”
Stephen A. Smith says he deserves credit for the Knicks’ NBA Finals run
“I deserve some credit, so I’m gonna take it. You know, when I called the Knicks out…They haven’t lost since.”
SAN ANTONIO, TX -JUNE 2: Jalen Brunsons #11 of the New York Knicks speaks with the media during 2026 NBA Finals - Media Day at Frost Bank Center on June 2, 2026 in San Antonio, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ronald Cortes/Getty Images) | Getty Images
We live in an era of sports fandom where championships are among the most important pieces of the puzzle that is a player’s legacy. Regardless of the sport, players have been torn down or elevated above others, sometimes unreasonably or unfairly, because of a championship. In individual sports such as tennis, track and field, gymnastics, or swimming, there’s an argument to be made that it should be that way. Even in team sports, championships do matter. But depending on the individual, the weight of a championship can differ greatly.
If winning is the only thing that matters, then ranking all-time greats becomes as simple as looking up the list of athletes with the most championships in their respective sports. Bill Russell would be the best NBA player of all time, while Yogi Berra would hold that honor in MLB. Tom Brady, given his record of seven Super Bowl victories, is the only case where that argument actually holds. Russell is an all-time great, as is the beloved former Yankee Berra, but neither has a legitimate argument for being the greatest player in his sport. Greatest career? Sure. But you get the point. Championships in team sports are a very important factor when evaluating an athlete’s legacy and should be weighed heavily. Given two players with similar stats and accomplishments, the athlete with more championships should get the nod. As always, context matters, though.
Is Aaron Judge’s legacy worse than Johnny Damon’s or Jim Edmonds’s because the latter two have a combined three championships? No. Do Chris Paul, James Harden, or Charles Barkley have worse legacies than Ray Allen because he won two championships? Obviously not. Yet the ring conversation will remain prevalent for as long as we’re around.
For a lot of Knicks players, a championship would do a lot for their legacies. They’d finally capture that elusive feeling of nirvana while bringing home the Larry O’Brien Trophy to a championship-starved fan base for the first time in 53 years, and it would very likely lead to more endorsements and a nice bump in the aforementioned conversation about legacy. For stars, though, a ring can boost the way a career is viewed much more than it would for role players or even just really good players. Karl-Anthony Towns, for example, would likely get a lot more of the respect he deserves if he were to win a ring after the incredible playoff run he’s had. The same can be said for OG Anunoby and Mikal Bridges, albeit to a slightly lesser degree. For one Knicks player, though, it would mean significantly more.
Were Jalen Brunson to win a championship, not only would his legacy receive a boost, but he would also enter some very intriguing conversations. He may not have the total counting stats that some other all-time greats accumulated because he became a franchise player relatively late in his career. But given the myriad accolades and historic statistics he has amassed during his short but highly successful stint as a Knick, he could easily make a case as the greatest Knick of all time. He’d still be one championship shy of legends Willis Reed and Walt “Clyde” Frazier, but it would be very difficult to keep him off the top of that list when considering both the historic numbers and the sentimental aspect of being the savior of the franchise.
Being 6’2″ and defeating the 7’5″ Victor Wembanyama would also instantly silence many of the nonsensical critics who have harped on players of his height being unable to lead a team to the promised land. Lastly, being the best player and captain on a championship team in New York, along with a few more years of producing at the level he has reached, could even propel him toward a Hall of Fame case—something that neither he nor the fans probably considered just a couple of years ago.
Now, if he does not win, many of those things could end up not happening. His place among the Knicks legends may be secured, but questions about his height would remain, the Hall of Fame would become a long shot again, and conversations about whether it was worth it for the Knicks to sign his friends would persist. Some of that is unfair. What if he plays out of his mind but still can’t pull it off? The Spurs are currently favored on FanDuel, with favorable odds at -188. Does losing as an underdog make him any lesser as a player, or make his legacy any less impressive? Maybe, maybe not. Will fans and pundits care when it’s time to settle his place among his peers? Unlikely.
In a team sport where so much can happen, it’s unfortunate that so much of a legacy can be tied to the outcome of what is now a best-of-seven series. But that’s just how it is. With so much to lose, but also so much to gain, Brunson, given his age and all the conversations surrounding him, has the most pressure to win it all. Can he pull it off? Knicks fans believe he can.
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - JUNE 02: Jase Bowen #4 of the San Diego Padres hits a single in the seventh inning of his MLB debut during a game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park on June 02, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images) | Getty Images
This was a game that, for so many reasons, the San Diego Padres should have won. The Friars were facing the Philadelphia Phillies for the second time in as many weeks after being swept by the Phils last time around. They were also facing Aaron Nola for the second time, giving the batters a second chance against the righty.
That wouldn’t be the case. Instead, the lone runs came on Gavin Sheets’ two-run homer in the third inning. But the Friars failed to score in multiple easy opportunities. Fernando Tatis Jr. led the game off with a double. He wouldn’t even reach third base. With one out and runners on the corners in the seventh, the Padres only need a sacrifice fly from Sung-Mun Song to tie the game. He struck out before Ty France grounded out to end the opportunity.
In the eighth, Tatis hit a leadoff single before Sheets and Manny Machado flew out. With two outs, Miguel Andujar hit an infield single but Tatis overran second base and was tagged out to end the final scoring opportunity the Friars would have. They’ll need to have much better follow-through in today’s game if they hope to force the rubber match.
Taking the mound
Cristopher Sánchez (PHI) v. Walker Buehler (SD)
Sánchez cemented his active scoreless streak in his last outing against San Diego, going seven innings while scattering six hits. After finishing runner-up in the 2025 NL Cy Young award voting, he’s making a run for it again in what has become a competitive race.
The lefty owns a 1.47 ERA and has struck out 95 batters across 79 1/3 innings pitched. Sánchez’s WHIP is a little high (1.12), but he’s been able to navigate well when he allows baserunners. The Padres couldn’t take advantage last time against him. They’ll need to do so today to force the rubber match.
Somewhat surprisingly, Buehler went toe-to-toe against Sánchez in their meetup last Wednesday. Though he didn’t make it as deep into the game, he certainly could have if allowed to. His pitch count sat at just 58 pitches when he was pulled in the sixth inning after putting runners on first and second.
But, until that point, Buehler had faced the minimum amount of batters through five innings. He looked even better than Sánchez until that sixth inning. If he can do that again tonight, the Padres will have a real chance at taking Game 2.
Batter up!
The bright spot of the offense continues to be Tatis, who went 3-for-4 in the series opener on Tuesday night. His batting average has slowly ticked up to .275 after a recent hot streak.
Fernando Tatis Jr., RF
Gavin Sheets, 1B
Manny Machado, 3B
Miguel Andujar, DH
Jackson Merrill, CF
Xander Bogaerts, SS
Nick Castellanos, LF
Sung-Mun Song, 2B
Rodolfo Durán, C
Andujar has cooled off lately, but owns a career .444 batting average against Sánchez (nine at-bats). It would be incredible to see him do some damage against the left-hander in today’s contest against Philly.
The other exciting moment from last night was Jase Bowen’s first big-league hit in the seventh inning. He had an underwhelming night at the plate, going 1-for-4 with three strikeouts, but his call up could spark something in this Padres offense.
Relief corps
It was the ‘pen that lost it for San Diego. Jeremiah Estrada was the first man out of the bullpen after Randy Vásquez pitched five solid innings. He promptly walked the first batter and allowed a single to put runners on the corners with no outs. Estrada did get Alec Bohm to ground into a double play, but a run came across the board. That would be the difference maker in the Padres 3-2 loss.
The rest of the relievers looked great, with Yuki Matsui, Jason Adam and Bradley Rodriguez pitched the last two innings. Today, the Friars will have plenty of options to turn to. Ron Marinaccio, Mason Miller, Adrian Morejon and Wandy Peralta will be the most readily available. Adam could pitch as well. The righty only threw six pitches in his outing Tuesday night.
May 23, 2026; Miami, Florida, USA; New York Mets starting pitcher Freddy Peralta (51) reacts against the Miami Marlins during the fifth inning at loanDepot Park. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images | Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
Mets lineup
Carson Benge – RF Bo Bichette – SS Juan Soto – DH Jared Young – 1B Brett Baty – 3B Marcus Semien – 2B A.J. Ewing – CF MJ Melendez – LF Luis Torrens – C
SP: Freddy Peralta – RHP
Mariners lineup
J.P. Crawford – SS Julio Rodriguez – CF Josh Naylor – 1B Randy Arozarena – LF Luke Raley – RF Cole Young – 2B Dominic Canzone – DH Jhonny Pereda – C Colt Emerson – 3B
SP: George Kirby – RHP
Broadcast info
First pitch: 3:40 PM ET TV: SNY Radio: Audacy Mets Radio WHSQ 880AM, Audacy App, 92.3 HD2
ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA - MAY 22: A general view of a Texas Rangers hat and glove during the fourth inning against the Los Angeles Angels at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on May 22, 2026 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Melina Pizano/Getty Images) | Getty Images
If you have been following the Texas Rangers minor league updates this year, you’ve probably seen the name Hector Osorio showing up quite a bit. The lefthanded hitting outfielder from Venezuela, who turned 21 in early April, is slashing .295/.429/.561 in 218 plate appearances over 48 games for low-A Hickory this year, while putting up a 37:24 BB:K ratio and splitting his time between center field and right field.
Coming into 2026, Osorio wasn’t on most folks’ radars — he hadn’t been on any of the Baseball America or MLB Pipeline top 30 lists for the Rangers, didn’t make Fangraphs’ top 45 or top 38 lists from 2025 and 2026, respectively, and had never appeared on Jamey Newberg’s Top 72 Rangers prospect rankings.
We were fortunate enough to get to visit with Hector, with the assistance of his interpreter, earlier this week and visit with him about his career and his big 2026 season. The transcript has been lightly edited for clarity.
LSB: I appreciate you taking a few minutes out to do a little Q&A with us. I know you signed out of Venezuela — when did you first start playing baseball?
HO: I started playing when I was three years old. On my dad’s side of the family, they are very passionate about baseball and there are a lot of people who play baseball on that side of the family. My dad himself tried to pursue the dream to play professionally, and that didn’t really pan out for him, but he made sure to pass on that love to me, and got me started when I was about three years old.
LSB: When was it that you first started getting noticed by major league scouts?
HO: I joined an academy when I was about 11 years old, and it was around age 12 when I started doing tryouts in front of scouts, and that was the first time I was sort of on anyone’s radar. So I was pretty young, around 12.
LSB: I am sure there were other teams besides the Rangers who showed an interest in you — how was it that you decided that the Rangers were the organization you wanted to sign with?
HO: It was a pretty interesting situation because I was in talks with another team. I was at one of these tryouts showing off for this other team, and the Rangers were there. They were actually there to see a different ballplayer. It just so happened that they got their eyes on me, and I sort of became like a new goal for them. And then from there everything happened very quickly.
LSB: I know Rangers fans are glad you ended up choosing to sign with the Rangers. You spent a couple of years playing in the Dominican Summer League, then went to the Arizona Complex League in 2024 and spent the summer there at Surprise and played there. What was the adjustment like coming to the States and playing in Arizona after two years playing in the DSL?
HO: It is a big jump, but fortunately I can say that, for me, it didn’t feel as intense of a change, because they really do a nice job of preparing you in the Dominican League. Obviously its a new country with a new language and a different culture, and there’s some things to learn in that aspect, but I really think they do a good job of developing and teaching you and preparing you for all that is to come when you make that jump. So I didn’t feel as severe of a change — I felt pretty prepared. I think the way they prepare you there is really key to having success here.
LSB: What was it that they did to prepare you that had you so well situated when you came to the States?
HO: They prepare you in so many ways. I can only speak for myself, but there was a lot that I didn’t know, and I can tell you just from teaching you things like the mental aspect of baseball, a lot of fundamental things that you’re not aware of, that once you make that leap here to Arizona, you’re going to find that ready to go. But you don’t know that exists until they teach you about a lot of these basics over there. And there’s things like, even the language — there’s lessons available for that so you can start preparing for that jump.
LSB: In 2025, you went to Hickory for your first season in full season ball. How much of a difference was it, going from playing in the complex league to playing full season ball, having the long bus rides, a lot more fans i the stands, and the like?
HO: I want to say that it didn’t feel like that big of a change, but I’d be lying if I didn’t say that there are more fans present, so maybe you feel more pressure at first. There’s a lot more games, the season is longer, sometimes those bus rides might wear you out a little bit. But honestly, I can say coming into this season I know what to expect now. You get into the groove of your routines, and its not as challenging as it was that first go-round.
LSB: You’ve gotten off to a great start to the 2026 season. Is there anything in particular that you credit that to, or that you worked on in the offseason to make that big step forward?
HO: I think for me the biggest difference has been in the physical aspect of my body. I’ve prepared, I’ve put on some weight, probably an extra fourteen pounds, and I think keeping fit and putting on that extra weight has maybe helped me have a bit more power when I’m up at the plate. I feel like I, personally, have felt that difference in me.
LSB: I noticed the power has definitely been standing out — you have more home runs so far this year than you have had in your entire career up to this point. Baseball Reference has you listed at 6’, 150 lbs. — is that underselling your size at this point?
HO: I would say they have me a little bit under what I am now. That 150 lbs. is probably what I weighed when I went to the Dominican League. I think I’m closer to 200 lbs. now.
LSB: Now that you’ve been doing those bus rides for a while, what is your favorite place to go to to eat when you are on the road?
HO: I can tell you that the second we hit the road, wherever we land, we are always looking for Venezuelan food. And we always find it! It is really quite fascinating to me — I don’t understand how, but there’s always a Venezuelan spot, so that’s usually what we want to fuel up on.
LSB: What do you feel like your real strengths as a player are?
HO: I think at first glance, you can say that the physical aspect of my body makes me a decent athlete. But I really think that I view the game differently. I think that I make good contact at the plate, and I think I’m really good at recognizing pitches.
LSB: Something that stands out with you is your plate discipline. Is that something that’s just always been part of your game? Is there something in particular you’ve worked at to improve your plate discipline and pitch recognition?
HO: Its funny — that’s something I think I’ve always naturally had, and I didn’t always appreciate. When I got to the Dominican League I really did not appreciate how many walks I could draw — and then in time I started to understand that there’s real value in that. And again, it gets back to what I was saying, it comes really naturally for me with recognizing pitches. And I appreciate that now.
LSB: What are your goals for the rest of 2026?
HO: I think my biggest goal right now is to stay healthy — stay healthy meaning I can keep up this same rhythm for the length of a long season. I think that’s what matters the most to me right now.
ATLANTA, GA - MAY 12: Grant Holmes #66 of the Atlanta Braves pitches in the first inning during the game against the Chicago Cubs at Truist Park on May 12, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Matthew Grimes Jr./Atlanta Braves/Getty Images) | Getty Images
After frustratingly exiting the mound with seven hits and two earned runs across 4 2/3 innings pitched against Cincinnati, Holmes is looking to turn it around with a dominant performance in today’s matchup against the Toronto Blue Jays.
In a back-and-forth matchup that ended with a Matt Olson homer, the Atlanta Braves are coming off a close win against the Blue Jays and will need to produce the run support early with Holmes on the mound.
Though the Cincinnati outing didn’t produce the results he wanted, Holmes’ prior start against Washington—where he recorded 10 strikeouts across his five innings—was his strongest performance all season.
The trade-off was the lack of run support, which resulted in a loss. If the two can be combined in tonight’s matchup, Atlanta will be looking at an early series win at home against Toronto.
With a lot of their key players out and gearing up to rehab, the Blue Jays are making do with what they have, but they kept a steady pace with the Braves in yesterday’s matchup.
Patrick Corbin will start for Toronto tonight. Currently boasting a 3.65 ERA and 1.36 WHIP across his 10 starts of the season, he adds a significant boost to the Jays’ rotation and won’t make it easy for Atlanta.
The lefty’s an underrated signing for the Blue Jays, who allowed three runs or fewer in nine consecutive starts for the team. The pitch to look out for? His sinker.
Making up 31% of his arsenal and topping an average of 91.3 mph, it’s a pitch that is an effective zone-lander out of his six-pitch arsenal and could get him out of trouble when a few particular Braves’ hitters take the plate.
But we’ll get into that when the lineups are released. Stay tuned for more ame coverage as the days continue to watch how tonight unfolds in game two.
The San Antonio Spurs and New York Knicks begin their highly anticipated 2026 NBA Finals matchup with Game 1 on Wednesday at Frost Bank Center, and Warriors star Draymond Green has made his pick.
The four-time NBA champion predicted who will take home the Larry O’Brien Trophy on the latest episode of “The Draymond Green Show,” and his answer might surprise some — though his reasoning is pretty sound.
“I’m also going to go with the New York Knicks to win this series,” Green declared. “This is a series that can go either way. I think this series can go either way. I think, ultimately, the New York Knicks are more primed and ready right now than the Spurs. Spurs still ain’t been through nothing.”
The Spurs, of course, are just over a decade removed from their most recent NBA title, while the Knicks have experienced plenty of heartbreak over their 53-year championship drought. It’s this hardened mindset that Green believes finally will push Jalen Brunson and Co. over the hill.
But even if that’s the case, he knows the experience gained by an already-lethal Spurs team will keep the young squad in contention for years to come.
“Now granted … these series, they age you fast, right?” Green continued. “So [the Spurs] aren’t your typical young team anymore because these series, you go through s–t in these series, and they age you fast. However, the Knicks, they got to be feeling it. They got to feel good about it and they got to go steal Game 1. And like I said, I also think they win this series.”
We’ll see if Green’s prediction proves true in this best-of-seven series.
For a couple of New York Knicks, Game 1 of the NBA Finals in San Antonio isn’t just a work trip – it’s a homecoming.
Jordan Clarkson and Kevin McCullar Jr. both attended Wagner High School in San Antonio, just a ten-minute drive from where they’ll be tipping off against their hometown team tonight.
It comes with a lot of memories – and Clarkson, who attended Wagner from 2006-2010 and grew up during a dominant, four-title era for the Spurs, remembers it well.
“The energy is always amazing,” Clarkson told reporters about growing up during that era during a media availability on Tuesday. “My stepmom worked at the Westin so I would see the parades through the hotel balconies and stuff. I would sneak around there and…take pictures and run up on players for autographs. I was definitely that kid.”
That hasn’t slowed him down, however, when playing against his hometown team: he’s averaged 20 points per game when playing the Spurs across his career.
He’s been a strong presence off the bench for New York this season, averaging 8.6 points per game during this regular season and 15.3 points per game across his 12-year NBA career. Back at Wagner, he led the Thunderbirds to back-to-back state semifinal appearances and was named the San Antonio high school player of the year his senior season.
McCullar Jr. made his own mark on the Wagner Thunderbirds years after Clarkson left, leading them to the 6A state title game as a sophomore in 2017. He’s been earning some more playing time for the Knicks this season, moving up the depth chart after a strong stint while Josh Hart was out with an injury. He’s averaged 2.2 points for the Knicks since being drafted in 2024.
Clarkson, McCullar Jr. and the Knicks will open the NBA Finals against the San Antonio Spurs in San Antonio tonight, tipping off at 8:30 eastern.
OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA - MAY 30: Victor Wembanyama #1 of the San Antonio Spurs celebrates after defeating the Oklahoma City Thunder to win Game Seven of the NBA Western Conference Finals at Paycom Center on May 30, 2026 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) | Getty Images
With 6:32 remaining in the 4th quarter of last Saturday’s Game Seven matchup between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the San Antonio Spurs, San Antonio backup center Luke Kornet chased down the Thunder’s Isiah Hartenstein and blocked what looked to be an easy dunk which would have cut the Spurs’ lead to 4 at 97-93. It was reminiscent of LeBron James’ block against Andre Iguodala in Game 7 of the 2016 NBA Finals.
Kornet’s block potentially saved the game for the Spurs and will go down as one of the NBA Playoffs’ more iconic defensive plays, particularly if the Spurs go on to win their sixth championship against the New York Knicks.
But there was another defensive play only a few minutes later that I can’t quite wrap my head around. I’m not sure anyone can.
With 4:53 left and the Spurs up 102-93, Spurs rookie Dylan Harper drove into the lane, lost his footing, and lost the ball. OKC’s Cason Wallace and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander dove on top of Harper, as did the Spurs’ Victor Wembanyama. OKC’s Jared McCain saw the scrum, correctly anticipated the pending OKC possession, and ran toward the opposite corner. Gilgeous-Alexander secured the ball while Wembanyama was on one knee just outside the restricted area of the Spurs’ basket. And here’s where it gets crazy.
Wembanyama got to his feet and sprinted alongside Gilgeous-Alexander towards half court. For the handful of you that have never watched Wembanyama play, he runs with his fists high and close to his chest and bobs his head back and forth. It’s reminiscent of a little kid trying to show his parents how fast he can run with new shoes on. It’s 100% effort with complete disregard for picking up women or getting a cool Ray-Ban endorsement. And it’s part of what makes him so unique.
Wembanyama is officially listed as 7’4”, which is only true in a world where Kevin Durant is actually 6’9”. With shoes on, which is typically required to participate in an NBA game, Wembanyama is probably closer to 7’7”, so running stride for stride with the two-time league MVP is a feat in and of itself. But now let’s get even crazier.
Both players reached half court at the same time, where Gilgeous Alexander spotted McCain wide open on the left wing at the three-point line and fired a pass to him. McCain took a big sidestep to position himself almost along the baseline in the corner and launched his shot. And this is where things get stupid crazy.
Wembanyama covered 28 feet in just over a second and a half, taking only five steps from half court after Gilgeous-Alexander passed the ball to McCain. Just inside the free throw line extended, he launched off his left foot and fully extended his right arm. He jumped almost 14 feet through the air and came within an untrimmed fingernail of blocking McCain’s shot. The shot rimmed out, Julian Champagnie secured the rebound and Wembanyama walked back toward halfcourt with his left arm and clinched fist high in the air, triumphantly. The Spurs went on to win the game and the series.
During these playoffs, Wembanyama has wowed NBA fans with jaw-dropping play after jaw-dropping play. Logo threes, backward dunks, insane blocks, he’s done it all. But it’s plays that will never be memorialized in a stat book that has to be scariest for the rest of the league. His block attempt went largely unnoticed, particularly considering the things he’s done that have made a bigger splash this spring. Reggie Miller applauded Wembanyama’s “nice job to get that Kornet contest,” but there wasn’t much after that. And that’s why this is all so crazy, so early, so far ahead of someone else’s schedule.
Victor Wembanyama is an alien, not of this world. He’s a monster in the woods. He’s Tiger at Augusta in ‘97. He’s Tyson in Brooklyn in ’86. He’s Kurt Cobain in Seattle in ‘91. He’s all those things wrapped and stretched like the rubber band man into one inconceivable presence of wise beyond his years philosophical thought and never before seen athletic brilliance.
In 2018, Kurt Cobain’s mom, Wendy O’Conner talked about the first time Kurt played Smells Like Teen Spirit for her.
“I sat on the edge of it, and I could remember that like it happened just a few minutes ago. The hair on my arms stood up, and I got this heaviness in my chest. I said, ‘Oh my god Kurt, how are you going to handle this?’ He said, ‘What?’ I said, ‘This is going to change everything.”
Wembanyama is doing the same thing — he’s changing everything we knew about the game of basketball. Everything is different now since Wembanyama got here. And we’re all so lucky that we get to watch.
Mixing metaphors when writing a story is often frowned upon, it’s too confusing. But how else can you even begin to try and describe what we’re witnessing right now? There are the viral dunks and blocks and elbows but there are also the plays that are never recorded as a stat happening several times in a game, plays that when you rewind and watch again, you can’t believe what you are seeing.
Wembanyama is the alien that has arrived. He’s the monster in the woods preparing to destroy your city. He exudes “Hello, world and Everyone has a plan until they get punched in the mouth”, with every tear he sheds when a goal is met; every time a long-held grudge is avenged.
And now the Finals are about to start for Wembanyama and the Spurs. Here we are now. Entertain us.
A week ago, I wrote this article about the troubles of this year’s Cubs and how they were beginning to remind me of some of the travails the team went through in 1970 and 1985, years they were supposed to contend but wound up short of a division title, the only playoff spot available in those years.
This year’s Cubs haven’t really done any better since that article posted a week ago Tuesday. They’re 3-4 since then and, apart from three games where the offense woke up a bit, they’re now in an offensive funk again, scoring just once in each of the last two games.
This year’s Cubs peaked (so far) at 27-12, following the team’s second 10-game winning streak of the season. (Feels like a long time ago, doesn’t it?) Since then the Cubs are 5-17, tied with the Royals for the worst record in baseball in that span. They’ve been outscored 108-70 and have had a 10-game losing streak as part of that stretch. At 27-12 they led the NL Central by 3.5 games. Now they trail by 6.5, so they’ve lost 10 games in the standings over that 22-game stretch.
I’m here to tell you that a long-ago year was even worse. The 1973 Cubs, the last of those great 1960s-1970s teams that never won anything, roared out to a great start. After defeating the Mets 4-3 in 10 innings June 29, the Cubs were 47-31 and led the NL East by 8.5 games. Many of us felt that would be the year that would finally redeem that star-crossed group.
Well, nope. They then went on a run of 9-33. No, that is not a misprint — a 42-game stretch when they won nine and lost thirty-three. That included losing streaks of six, seven and 11, and in the last of those, the final two games were thrashings by the Braves, 15-1 and 10-2, both at Wrigley Field. It got so bad that after the ninth of those losses, right before those two demolitions by Atlanta, Fergie Jenkins, normally the most mild-mannered of men, threw bats onto the field in frustration. That was a shocking thing in those days, something players just didn’t do.
The Cubs were 56-64 after that horrid run and 5.5 games out of first place, so over 42 games, they lost 14 games in the standings. The season seemed over.
The ‘73 Cubs then went on a run of sorts. They won eight of 10 and moved to within two games of first place in what was a pretty weak NL East. By the season’s final weekend they still had an outside chance, but failed against the Mets, who won the division with what is still the fewest wins ever by a full-season division champion, just 82. I’ve chronicled that crazy weekend here a couple of times, most recently on its 50th anniversary in 2023.
Here’s the final play of the 1973 Cubs season, a double play hit into by Glenn Beckert, the last at-bat he’d have as a Cub:
The parallels between the 1973 Cubs and 2026 Cubs aren’t exact. That was a pretty old team, with only two regulars (Rick Monday and Jose Cardenal) under 30. The pitching staff was also old, though they had three decent young starters in Burt Hooton, Rick Reuschel and Larry Gura — if only they’d kept Hooton and Gura instead of trading them away in more of the awful deals that were a hallmark of that era.
This year’s Cubs have better, and somewhat younger, players. Two of the biggest stars on the team, Nico Hoerner and Pete Crow-Armstrong, are in their 20s and several others still should be in their prime years (and it would be good if they started hitting like that). The starting rotation this year is in tatters, but that’s due mainly to injury, not age, and the injured starters should be back soon.
The other thing that’s different is that this bad 5-17 run has come more than a month earlier than the Cubs’ awful collapse in 1973. By the time the Cubs were done with that 9-33 run, it was Aug. 16 and there were only 42 games remaining in the season. There are 100 games remaining in the 2026 season, and one other thing this year’s Cubs have that they can go for that the 1973 team didn’t — more playoff berths. Sure, we’d love it if the Cubs could win the NL Central, and they’re not out of that race by any means, but there are three wild-card spots to play for and last year’s Cubs made the most of theirs, winning their wild-card series against the Padres.
I’d be remiss if I didn’t remind you that even the 103-win World Series champion 2016 Cubs had a run similar to this year’s, though they began from a higher point. After defeating the Pirates June 19 at Wrigley Field (the day Willson Contreras homered in his first MLB at-bat!), the Cubs were 47-20 and led the NL Central by 12.5 games. They then went on a 5-15 run in which they were outscored 123-88. At the end of that span they were 52-35 and had lost six games, almost half, of their division lead.
That team, of course, recovered. They had the best record in MLB — 51-23 — the rest of the way, won the division by 17.5 games, and of course went on to win the World Series.
There’s a lot of time left in the 2026 season. I continue to believe this Cubs team is too good to keep losing the way they have. It would be nice to start the turnaround tonight against the A’s.
It may be the closely guarded private fiefdom of the MCC, but weight of history makes the ground a true institution
There are three Lord’s in London. The first is six feet under Dorset Square next to Marylebone station, where these days a square foot of a single-bed flat will set you back a thousand pounds. The second is buried beneath the Lisson Grove moorings on the Regents canal, where the canal boaters grow tomatoes along the towpath. And the third, the current world-famous ground, is two blocks over on the Wellington Road, on a patch rented in the 19th century from the Eyre family, who made their money in wine and slavery. So long as there are ravens in the Tower, it always will be.
This week, Lord’s holds its 150th Test. It was a late starter. Tests were played at Melbourne, Sydney, the Oval and Old Trafford before it held its first in July 1884, but it will become the first ground in the world to reach this sesquicentenary. The MCG comes next, with 118. But then, much to the gall of every other corner of the country where they play Test cricket, Lord’s has had the advantage of holding two games a year every year this century. And because this is England, they’ve managed to make the rest of us think it’s us who are privileged by it.
NEW YORK, NY - MARCH 1: Victor Wembanyama #1 of the San Antonio Spurs and Karl-Anthony Towns #32 of the New York Knicks goes up for the rebound during the game on March 1, 2026 at Madison Square Garden in New York City, 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 Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
For the eighth straight season, a new NBA champion will be crowned this June. The New York Knicks have won eleven straight games after falling to 2-1 against the Hawks in Round 1 while the San Antonio Spurs have won two hard fought series vs. the Timberwolves and the defending champs.
Who raises the Larry O’Brien and looking ahead, what do the Celtics have to do to take down the champs next June?
Rich Jensen: I have the Spurs in six messy games.
The C’s best path to beat the Spurs is continued growth and perhaps the addition of one or two veteran players. I don’t think it’s sensible, as fans, to put the Spurs up on a pedestal. The C’s are nothing to sneeze at, and will hit the next season with the league’s best one-two punch.
Grant Burfeind: Spurs in 7, partly because Adam Silver didn’t script Wemby in the Finals just to leave all that Game 6 MSG ticket money on the table. Have you SEEN what those seats cost? The league may send this series to seven out of fiscal responsibility alone.
Now, for the actual basketball reason: San Antonio has the best player in the series, and he happens to be the hardest player in the league to solve. The Knicks are deeper, older, more physical and built to make this series feel like a nightly dental procedure. Brunson has the ability to steal games, no doubt. KAT pulling Wembanyama away from the rim could swing stretches. OG and Hart will make every possession for the Spurs feel like trying to move a couch through a narrow hallway. But Wemby changes the math on both ends. Scratch that, Wemby is a new form of math altogether. He can erase the paint, rush shooters who think they’re open and still be the offensive hub San Antonio needs late. Add in Fox’s burst, Harper’s poise and Castle’s defense, and I think the Spurs survive just enough rock fights to win the series.
For the Celtics, beating either team next year starts with accepting what this Finals is showing them: the margins around stars have to be sturdier. Since the West is so loaded that it’s hard to predict who comes out next year, New York is probably the cleaner measuring stick. To beat the Knicks, Boston needs size, rebounding and enough functional strength to survive without bleeding extra possessions. If San Antonio is the matchup, they need multiple frontcourt bodies to bother Wemby, enough shooting to punish his help instincts and more consistent rim pressure so the offense doesn’t turn into five guys politely waiting behind the arc. The Celtics don’t need to adopt an entirely new identity, but they do need to get healthier, bigger and a little less dependent on shot variance if they want to be the last team standing in June.
Ian Inangelo: I think the Spurs are winning the Finals in 6 games over the Knicks.
I think the key to the Celtics beating them next year is doing something similar to what they did this season. Let Victor Wembanyama beat you from three-point range and slow down everyone else. Boston would need a big who can play defense on the perimeter and I think a Robert Williams reunion would be the key. He played pretty solid defense on Wemby during Portland’s first round series this year and I think he could be a solid option for this team.
Bill Sy: Spurs in 5 because TL;DR, but ultimately, I trust Castle and Wemby controlling Brunson and KAT. And if the path to Banner 19 goes through New York and San Antonio next season, the biggest question mark right now is obviously at center, but I’m not totally convinced that’s an area of need for Stevens to address this offseason. Conventional wisdom says that you have to upgrade Neemias Queta after he got wrecked by a hobbled Joel Embiid. However, I just don’t see a major swing the front office can make at the 5. Instead, they’ll put a premium at point guard — preferably someone that can also stay in front of Fox and Brunson — and again lean in on their depth, particularly on the perimeter with their wings.
Nirav Barman: I have the Spurs winning in 6 games. I think they’re deep and talented enough to really push this Knicks team despite not having as much experience. As long as they’re not too tired, they should be able to handle things.
San Antonio’s defense is excellent, even beyond the 7’4″ freak of nature on their roster. The Spurs were able to minimize the reigning 2x MVP, and contain the rest of the reigning champs’s offense too. If they can limit their turnovers, they have a good chance of snuffing out the Knicks as well. KAT’s ability to stretch the floor may be a more effective way to get Wemby out of the paint than Chet and Jaylin Williams, but it’s likely that Mitch Johnson will plan for that, and have a switch heavy defense that keeps Wemby close to the paint.
The Knicks might have more reliable offensive threats, but they also have less of them, and have had a looong break between games. Maybe that means they’ll just be more rested, but I would imagine a 7+ day period without a game could take a team out of rhythm. I think Brunson has proven his ability to show up in big games, as has OG Anunoby who should hopefully be fully healthy now. If the rest of the roster keeps up their level of play that helped them take care of the Sixers and Cavs in quick fashion, then I think this will be a very interesting series, but I don’t see New York’s defense being effective enough to win the overall matchup.
If the Celtics end up having to go through the Knicks next year, they’re going to have to become much better at containing Brunson at the point of attack, and defending pick-and-rolls when Brunson is forced to defer. Additionally, they’ll need to find a way to consistently open up the paint for themselves to get better looks at the rim, likely by upgrading their big men.
If the Celtics are going up against the Spurs, they’ll need some prayers on their side. Having a large, switchable team would go a long way, so the Jays are a great start. Hugo and Jordan becoming offensive threats would become critical, as would having a mobile two-way big (which doesn’t come around all that often.) On top of that, they’ll need their role players to capitalize on any and all open looks. The Jays need consistent, reliable support when the defense is focusing on them. I think you have to say that the Spurs are the better team, and considering how much younger and cheaper their roster is, that’s a scary thought. I do think that the Celtics can keep every game competitive, though – I just don’t see them winning a 7-game series without some significant improvements.
Jake Issenberg: It pains me to say it: Knicks in 7. The way to beat the Spurs is by bombing away from outside the paint. The Knicks have been scorching hot from three all playoffs and employ big, quick trigger shooters across the roster. Something that Chet Holmgren, and the rest of the OKC Thunder shooters are not. Towns is a skeleton key on offense in this specific matchup. KAT’s ability to either pull Wemby out of the paint or punish the Spurs on the offensive glass if Wemby is roaming off Josh Hart is going to be what tips the series in favour of the Knicks. The Thunder are not an elite rebounding team and were able to punish the spurs on the offensive glass at times. Between KAT, Mitchell Robinson, and Josh Hart, the Knicks have the personnel to mash the Spurs on that specific margin. On the other end, I think OG Anunoby is one of the only perimeter players in the league capable of giving Wemby trouble. I’m picking the Knicks in 7, so I wouldn’t be surprised if the Spurs win the NBA Championship, however, I think the matchup favours the Knicks.
How do the Celtics reach the mountain top if it’s the Knicks and Spurs who stand in their way? Priority number one is upgrading the front court. Whether that’s Giannis, Robert Williams, or Jock Landale, the group needs to get more talented and more versatile. Next, Joe Mazzulla, the reigning coach of the year, needs to level up as a playoff coach, starting with updating the team’s offensive approach. The team has become too rigid. Dominating the margins is important and clearly drives winning, but there’s something missing when the Celtics get out of the 82 game season and into the paradigm of a 7 game series.
Jeff Clark: I’ll go with Spurs in 6. These things typically boil down to who has the most transcendent player with the perfect pieces around him. The Knicks have Brunson and KAT and some great defensive wings, but that strikes me as a very-good team, not a great one. The Spurs, on the other hand, have Wemby and a young, but very talented supporting cast around him. One might assume that it is a year early for them, but I don’t get the sense that the lights will shine too bright for them. After all, the biggest test was the Thunder and they were able to defeat them. I think the Spurs win their first title of the Wemby era, and frankly I’m a little concerned about what that means for every other team going forward, including the Celtics.
Robby Fletcher: I have the Spurs in 6, specifically coming back from 2-1 to win the series.
The Knicks are getting a third straight opponent coming off a 7-game series which is an obvious advantage, but the Spurs have the end-all No. 1 player in this matchup, and plenty of defenders on the perimeter to make life difficult for Brunson and company.
How does Boston win that matchup? With improved paint defense and better perimeter shotmaking, although if we’re being honest, is there really an answer to stopping Wemby? Probably not, but if you’re killing them from deep, that at least opens the door for dragging Wemby a little farther away from the paint.
Bobby Manning: I’m going Spurs in 7 despite going back-and-forth in my head. If Victor Wembanyama is playing like himself, the Knicks, and maybe nobody at this point, have an answer for his defensive impact. Never mind what he’s producing the other way. Between that, Mitchell Robinson’s injury and defensive questions for NY, I give San Antonio a slight, but not definitive edge. The Spurs also have to handle Brunson and Towns’ offensive attack, OG Anunoby’s defensive versatility and the Knicks’ more consistent bench. What I know for sure is that this could be the series for the ages, and despite how agonizing of a decision it’ll become, one of many reasons why I believe the Celtics need Giannis Antetokounmpo.
Ryan Paice: I think the Spurs win in 6 or 7, and while I expect a hard fought series, I think Wemby’s defense is generational and the Spurs have the perimeter depth to slow Brunson down. While KAT is a tough matchup for Wemby, I don’t think it’ll be enough for the Knicks to win. New York has yet to face a real challenger this postseason, and I think running into the roadblock that is the Spurs will trip them up pretty badly. Meanwhile, the Spurs are battle-tested and young enough to recover from a seven game series against the reigning champs.
For the Celtics to beat the Spurs next year, I think we’ll need an upgrade at the center position that can stretch Wemby out to the perimeter and bang for buckets down low. Obviously, that’s a tall order. Unicorns don’t grow on trees. But having a center like Queta will only allow Wemby to play off of him and patrol the paint, which is exactly the opposite of how to beat San Antonio. Without a center upgrade, I don’t see the C’s beating the Spurs at all. But that alone might not be enough. Boston also needs to add a couple steady hands, like Al Horford and Jrue Holiday were for the team in 2024. Their impact in the championship run was huge and the Jays need steady hands around them to keep the gears turning when they start to grind. So, for the Celtics to beat the Spurs next year, we’ll need a near-impossible center upgrade and to add a couple vets who complement the Jays stylistically and mentally. Realistically, it could be another year or two of roster building before something like that happens. But if anyone can make it happen, it’d be Brad Stevens, so I remain hopeful.
For the past few days, Knicks and Spurs fans have had to dream up hypotheticals and play out the most important series of the season in their heads. But tonight, we finally get to see the teams take the court and throw all of that out the window. But before they do, with the NBA Finals just hours away, let’s take a final look at who the experts are picking to win the title.
On ESPN.com, 10 of the 13 writers picked the Spurs to win. Bobby Marks picked them to win in five games, and everybody else who had the Spurs winning picked them to do so in six or seven games. Ramona Shelburne, Justin Tinsley, and Ohm Youngmisuk were the three who picked the Knicks to come out on top, predicting the Knicks to win in seven games, six games, and seven games, respectively.
Over on Sports Illustrated, three of their five writers picked the Spurs. Chris Mannix picked the Spurs to win in six games, “maybe five,” citing the Spurs’ backcourt defense and Victor Wembanyama’s dominance. Meanwhile, Blake Silverman and Dan Lyons picked the Western Conference representatives in six games due to Mitchell Robinson’s injury concern and their belief that Wembanyama will ultimately be the best player in the series.
The Athletic bucked some of the aforementioned trend, though, with the most popular outcome being Knicks in six. Of their 26 votes, said result got 10 votes, with Spurs in seven and Spurs in six getting five votes each, and Knicks in seven getting three votes.
Lorenzo Reyes of USA Today Sports picked the Knicks in seven games largely due to the Knicks’ experience and additional rest advantage, while Prince J. Grimes picked the Spurs in seven games, raising questions surrounding whether the Knicks really are a dominant team, or whether the strength of their Eastern Conference opponents — or lack thereof — played a role in their road to the Finals.
As you can see, while the experts are slightly leaning towards the Spurs, there really isn’t a foregone conclusion. If anything, the only consensus is that the series should be close and could easily go the full seven games. The books, on the other hand, seem to disagree. The Spurs came out as pretty heavy favorites after they advanced to the Finals and currently sit at -188 odds over on FanDuel, while the Knicks sit at +158, which equates to about a 38.76% chance.
While Knicks fans may feel like their team is getting slighted, it may play to the Knicks’ advantage. Every time the Knicks have been eliminated in the postseason during the Jalen Brunson era, it has been to a lower seed. Not that the team needs any extra motivation, but seeing and/or hearing about them being counted out may further feed into their focus on playing with a level of desperation.
Recently, AJ Dybantsa was on the “Gilbert Arenas Show,” a podcast with the former Wizards star. Contrary to previous rumblings that he preferred to stay in Utah because he went to Brigham Young, Dybantsa answered questions about him as a potential Wizards player, including which number he would want to wear.
If they draft me, I do need 3, Trae [Young]. If they draft me. We’re going to see in like five weeks.
AJ Dybantsa says Trae Young will have to give up No. 3 if he’s drafted by the Wizards 😅
“If they draft me, I do need 3, Trae. If they draft me. We’re gonna see in like 5 weeks”
Young wears No. 3 for the Wizards, though he previously wore No. 11 for most of his career. The No. 11 is retired by the Wizards in honor of Elvin Hayes, so this appears to be a taller task for Dybantsa. After all, if Young gets traded to the Wizards and doesn’t demand No. 11, then Dybantsa probably should be more coy about that.
All of that said, jersey numbers are a very small part on why a player should or shouldn’t be acquired. Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
