After two and a half seasons with the Phoenix Suns, Kevin Durant joined the Houston Rockets last summer in a trade that included both Jalen Green and Dillon Brooks. Despite Durant's age (37), he was more durable than both Green and Brooks during the 2025-26 season, playing in 78 of 82 contests, averaging 36.4 minutes per game. In those minutes, the 16-time All-Star continued to score, showing no signs of slowing down.

During the year, Durant averaged 26 points, 5.5 rebounds, 4.8 assists, 0.9 blocks and 0.8 steals. This marked the 17th consecutive year where Durant averaged 25 or more points, with the lone exception being his rookie season (20.3). Although Durant's rebounding numbers were a bit down, his field goal percentage remained about the same. His 3-point percentage was slightly down as well but still incredibly efficient, shooting over 41% from beyond the arc. As a result, Durant made the All-NBA Second Team and another All-Star appearance. Moving forward, Durant's biggest area of focus should be limiting turnovers, averaging a career 3.2 per game. Additionally, considering the reports that came out mid-season, Durant could bear to improve his off-court relationships with teammates.

Overall grade: A

This article originally appeared on Rockets Wire: Rockets 2025-26 player grades: Kevin Durant

Spurs run to the 2026 NBA Finals outdid Thunder's 2025 roster in this category originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Spurs faced a 2-3 deficit against the Thunder a few days ago, but now find themselves in the 2026 NBA Finals, after winning two straight elimination games against the defending NBA champions.

The Thunder were virtually unstoppable last season, and even in moments where it could have gone wrong for them, they held their composure together despite having such a young core with relatively little playoff experience.

That young core having success so soon was unheard of, yet the Spurs just did something this year that makes last year's Thunder team somehow look less impressive.

Spurs run to the 2026 NBA Finals outdid Thunder's 2025 roster in this category

With the Spurs advancing to the 2026 NBA Finals, they are now the second-youngest team in the shot clock era to make an appearance in the NBA Finals.

The Spurs are the second-youngest team to reach the NBA Finals in the shot clock era (average age, weighted by postseason playing time):

1976-77 Trail Blazers — 25.03
2025-26 Spurs — 25.06
2024-25 Thunder — 25.56

NBA Finals Game 1: Wednesday, June 3 at 8:30 p.m. ET on ABC. pic.twitter.com/EaMl4KTlNi

— NBA Communications (@NBAPR) May 31, 2026

The average age of their roster this season is a half a year younger than the Thunder's from last year.

MORE: How much NBA Finals experience do the Knicks and Spurs rosters have?

It was just a few seasons ago that the Thunder were still in a rebuild and were beginning to make strides back towards being a contending team.

Luckily for them, players like Chet Holmgren and Jalen Williams were able to develop very quickly and became all-star-level players just a few years after being drafted.

A couple of trade acquisitions and important role players added to their roster helped shape a championship-level roster that really only needed two postseason runs to get a title under their belt.

MORE: Every Spurs player's nickname from Victor Wembanyama to Luke Kornet

The Spurs now have the opportunity to do the same. Winning an NBA title this soon would arguably be more impressive, as several key players in their core are just as young:

• Victor Wembanyam: 3rd season
• Stephon Castle: 2nd season
• Dylan Harper: Rookie

They have a tough task ahead, as they'll face a red-hot Knicks team, but they'll have the confidence knowing they just came out on top in an extremely tough series against a team that's done what the Knicks and Spurs haven't yet, which is a 16-win postseason.

More NBA news:

• NBA players reveal most likely outcome for Giannis Antetokounmpo trade, and it's not what you think
• Jaylen Brown revealed as trade candidate for 3 teams by NBA insider
• Wizards receiving inquiries on their No. 1 draft pick from multiple teams
• Bucks' scouting activity around NBA Draft indicates potential trade ahead
• Adam Silver gives opinion on state of officiating and flopping in the NBA

While the world focuses on Saturday's bench tiff between Indiana Fever superstar guard Caitlin Clark and coach Stephanie White, the real intrigue from the Fever loss to the Portland Fire comes from the defense.

Opposing WNBA teams are starting to hunt Clark in isolation this season, putting her in difficult position in one-on-one guarding to either make her foul or give up the contested bucket. It's a good strategy for Fever opponents, as Clark's defense has never been what makes her a great basketball player. It's not a massive liability throughout her career, but it's the way teams are making Clark pay on the basketball court this season while she's defending.

The Caitlin Clark double standard is real and suffocating

During NBC's WNBA coverage on Sunday, all-time great Sue Bird, a player Clark is commonly compared to on the court, gave the Fever standout some excellent advice for how to improve her one-on-one defense.

"That's been me; I've experienced this," Bird said of Clark getting ISO'ed by opponents. "I'll tell you exactly what I did. I went, and I learned every single tendency of every single player I was going to be guarding because everyone has one thing they don't want to do, and you've got to make them do that thing."

Sue Bird and Cheryl Miller with a great take on the Caitlin Clark moment with Stephanie White and defense. pic.twitter.com/W95n2MGcM9

— Kaitlyn (ZuluEditsAe) (@zulueditsae) May 31, 2026

That's pretty excellent advice if you ask us. It's easy to forget Clark is still just 24 and playing what will likely be her first full season of WNBA basketball since 2024 and her second overall.

She's still got a ways to go until she's where she wants to be as a pro. Improving her defense will go a long way in rounding out her game and should quell some of the frustrations that hit Indiana during that uninspired Saturday loss to Portland.

When do the Fever play again?

The team plays at home against the Atlanta Dream on Thursday evening.

This article originally appeared on For The Win: Sue Bird gives Caitlin Clark excellent advice for improving her defense

Ron Harper knows the road his son Dylan Harper is trying to travel, having won five NBA titles across the Chicago Bulls and Los Angeles Lakers dynasties.

Now Dylan has his own chance to join that family history, after helping San Antonio beat Oklahoma City in Game 7 and reach the NBA Finals.

The Harpers can become the sixth father-son duo to win an NBA title, and the 20-year-old revealed what his father told him on court.

Dylan Harper reveals Ron Harper’s advice after Game 7 victory

During the post-match press conference, Harper said his father congratulated him, then quickly reminded him the job was not done and he had to stay confident.

“He congratulates me and then he talks about what he did. So, you know, we kind of leave it at that, but he just told me to be confident in myself, there’s a reason why I’m here and job is not done, job is not finished,” he began by saying.

“He’s kind of preached that to me throughout this whole playoffs, just always telling me just to do little things and just make sure that I’m aggressive and make sure that at the end of the day, I leave it all out there.”

That advice matched Dylan’s late-series response. He scored 12 points in Game 7, shooting 63% and giving San Antonio vital bench control, adding to his 18-point display in Game 6.

Father-son NBA title duos Dylan Harper could join

The existing list is small. Matt Guokas Sr. and Matt Guokas Jr. were first, before Rick and Brent Barry joined them.

Bill and Luke Walton later added another family, followed by Mychal and Klay Thompson, then Gary Payton and Gary Payton II.

That is the company Dylan can enter if San Antonio finish the job.

For now, Ron’s message is the right one: the Finals are not a celebration yet, they are another stage for Dylan to prove the Harper legacy has a new chapter.

Read more:

Anthony Slater: Jalen Williams on the Spurs: “It honestly feels like we are playing a version of ourselves.” Could he have changed the outcome? “I think we could’ve won if I played…But it’s also hats off to them. What do you want them to do about me being hurt?”

Twitter

This article originally appeared on Hoops Hype: Jalen Williams on facing San Antonio: 'It honestly feels like we are playing a version of ourselves'

Joel Lorenzi: Jalen Williams on his hamstring injuries, the timing of his return, what this stretch taught him. “We went through all the right protocol to try and give it a go to play. … Everybody in the world knows I wasn't myself. I played nine minutes (in Game 6), I don't even think I shot the ball, I just couldn't move, but I'd rather have went out there and tested it out.”

Twitter

This article originally appeared on Hoops Hype: Jalen Williams on his hamstring injuries, the timing …

Justin Martinez: Chet Holmgren on how he processes losing throughout his basketball career, where he has won so much at every level: "I'd definitely say they don't suck any less. Losing isn't fun, but I definitely feel like I've gotten better at being able to kind of take a loss for what it is and look at it objectively rather than emotionally and try to figure it out and work forward from there."

Twitter

This article originally appeared on Hoops Hype: Chet Holmgren on how he processes losing throughout …

Justin Martinez: Chet Holmgren on how he plans to approach the offseason after not playing to his standard against San Antonio: "I feel like it comes down to looking at the tape, figuring out where I can improve individually and then trusting my work through the offseason."

Twitter

This article originally appeared on Hoops Hype: Chet Holmgren on how he plans to approach the …

It might be a long summer for Chet Holmgren.

With the Oklahoma City Thunder petering out in Game 7 of the Western Conference Finals (WCF) on Saturday night, a lot of the Thunder's shortcomings are being placed at the feet of the All-NBA big man, whose performance was nowhere near up to snuff as a championship piece. Holmgren took just two shots and scored only four points in 33 minutes in the do-or-die loss to the San Antonio Spurs. This, on top of Holmgren not playing like the same defensive menace he's shown he can be. All told, it's probably unfair to call Holmgren a superstar, but his play throughout the entire WCF still wasn't nearly good enough.

That's why there is reasonable trade speculation about Holmgren leaving Oklahoma City, especially in a trade for a player like Giannis Antetokounmpo. That conversation probably isn't ending any time soon, either.

Holmgren's teammate, two-time MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, is aware of this discussion concerning his teammate. In his end-of-season review press conference on Sunday, Gilgeous-Alexander wasn't having any of it. He stumped for his big man, acknowledging that sometimes guys aren't going to play to their standards because that's just what happens in basketball at this level. Shoot, in any sport:

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander goes deep on the impact of Jalen Williams’ absence and the WCF struggles of Chet Holmgren

“We need Chet Holmgren.” pic.twitter.com/KlJ9NlQ917

— Anthony Slater (@anthonyVslater) May 31, 2026

Here's what Gilgeous-Alexander said in Holmgren's defense in full:

"We need Chet Holmgren," said Gilgeous-Alexander. "Before Chet was here, we [the Thunder] weren’t who we are today. When he’s the best version of himself, we are the best version of ourselves." "The version of Chet we have today is the worst version of Chet Holmgren we’ll ever have."

Gilgeous-Alexander isn't wrong. If anything, his opinion is the logical one. High-level athletes are allowed to have a bad playoff series without it being a referendum on their entire careers. Better NBA players than Holmgren, who is still only 24, have played worse in higher-leverage situations over the years. You know what happened to many of them? They brushed off their struggles, came back, and simply played better.

I don't know if that is precisely what will happen with Holmgren. In fact, I think the Thunder should, at least, seriously consider trading Holgrem for Antetokounmpo (for a reasonable price) if they get a shot to do so. But, as Gilgeous-Alexander said, the version of Holmgren we saw in the WCF was probably the worst version of himself, not the definitive version.

We would all do well to remember that before writing him off.

This article originally appeared on For The Win: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander strongly pushed back against Chet Holmgren hate

Brooklyn Nets center Day'Ron Sharpe has been one of the better backup centers in the NBA over the past three seasons as he seems to have found his niche with the Nets. Brooklyn has relied on Sharpe for his elite rebounding skill and per-minute production, but that could be a reason that many teams would be interested in him if he became a free-agent this offseason.

"Sharpe is a big-bodied bench big, drafted by the Nets in 2021 (No. 29). In relatively short minutes (18.7), Sharpe remains a productive rebounder. His field-goal percentage has improved to a career-best 60.1 percent," Eric Pincus wrote on Sharpe for Bleacher Report. Pincus ranked Sharpe as the 56th-best free-agent in this class if his $6.25 million team option is not exercised.

"The Nets don't have their own first-round pick after 2026-27 and are expected to try to improve significantly after this past season's rebuild," Pincus continued on Sharpe. "Sharpe has an inexpensive team option. Brooklyn probably chooses to keep him rather than letting him go for nothing as a free agent. Or, the team could opt him in to trade him."

Sharpe, 24, is coming off arguably the best season of his five-year career after averaging 8.7 points, 6.7 rebounds, 2.3 assists, and 1.1 steals per game while shooting 60.1% from the field and 67.8% from the free-throw line. Sharpe has worked on his body and his game to the point that he can play for longer stretches of time and is able to show more of what he's capable of, including from behind the three-point line.

Given that Sharpe's team option is fairly-inexpensive for a player of his caliber, it's likely that the Nets exercise that option so that they can have 48 minutes of solid center play with Sharpe and starter Nic Claxton. However, if Brooklyn were to change its mind on keeping Sharpe on the roster, he would be considered one of the better players on the market.

This article originally appeared on Nets Wire: Nets' Day'Ron Sharpe ranked as one of the better NBA free-agents

What salary cap concerns do the Boston Celtics have as they rebuild this offseason? The Celtics fell short of the expectations they themselves raised with a wildly overachieving 2025-26 NBA Regular season, falling in the first round of the 2026 NBA Eastern Conference Playoffs to the Philadelphia 76ers, a team that spent most of the season far below them in the East standings.

As a result, Boston's President of Basketball Operations Brad Stevens and the rest of the front office have their work cut out for them when it comes to retooling a clearly non-playoff ready squad. What constraints does the team have when it comes to spending? What exceptions, draft picks, and other tools do they have at their disposal to add talent to the team? And what else do we need to know about the cap heading into next season?

The folks behind the "98.5 The Sports Hub" YouTube channel put together a clip from a recent broadcast featuring Spotrac salary cap guru Keith Smith on to break all of the above down. Check it out below!

Listen to "Havlicek Stole the Pod" on:

Blue Wire: https://tiny.ee/CdKp

iTunes: https://tiny.ee/RK47

YouTube: https://tiny.ee/cOW3

This article originally appeared on Celtics Wire: What salary cap concerns do the Celtics have as they rebuild this offseason?

Is Boston Celtics star forward Jaylen Brown hurting his value as a player with his Twitch streams? It likely depends upon who you ask, if we are being honest, as much as it matters what it is in his Twitch streams we are talking about. Some of what Brown does on those streams is break down game film, which is a purely value-added venture from where we are sitting.

But we also have to admit that some of his comments in the wake of Boston's first round exit at the hands of the Philadelphia 76ers in the 2026 NBA Eastern Conference Playoffs did not exactly help him keep his name out of the rumor mill. Others, such as his ongoing feud with the media and Stephen A. Smith of ESPN in particular likely fed flames he'd rather see diminished.

The folks behind the "98.5 The Sports Hub" YouTube channel put together a clip from their "Toucher and Hardy" show in conversation with "Locked On Celtics" host John Karalis taking a closer look. Check it out below!

Listen to "Havlicek Stole the Pod" on:

Blue Wire: https://tiny.ee/CdKp

iTunes: https://tiny.ee/RK47

YouTube: https://tiny.ee/cOW3

This article originally appeared on Celtics Wire: Is Celtics star Jaylen Brown hurting his value with his Twitch streams?

The New York Knicks secured a series sweep with their defeat of the Cleveland Cavaliers on Monday (May 25), thrusting fans into a decidedly 1999 frame of mind in the process.

Indeed, the last time the Knicks were in the NBA Finals, the world was steeped in (ultimately unfounded) Y2K panic, with era-defining albums from Eminem and blink-182 serving as the soundtrack.

Put another way, it’s been a long time.

Below, we take a closer look at the state of pop culture circa June 1999, the same month the Knicks roared into that year’s NBA Finals, only to later be bested by the San Antonio Spurs. As it stands now, there’s a very real possibility of a Knicks and Spurs rematch next month, meaning the general 1999ness of it all could multiply significantly in the days ahead.

COMPLEX SHOP: Shop the brands you love, anytime and anywhere. Uncover what's next. Buy. Collect. Obsess.

Celebs sitting courtside for the Knicks in 1999

Spike Lee has been a full-fledged Knicks superfan for decades. In ’99 footage that has garnered renewed attention on social media after the Knicks knocked out the Cavs on Monday (May 25), he’s among the familiar faces seen cheering on the team nearly 30 years ago.

How much have things changed since 1999? Here's what celebrity row looked like for Game 4 of the Finals - the last year the Knicks made it that far until 2026 pic.twitter.com/6cf6mrxDCy

— Velodus✨ (@velodus) May 26, 2026

But what about celebrity row in Game 5, the final game in which the Knicks played in the Finals (until now)? Well, here ya go! pic.twitter.com/b8gnd2ds23

— Velodus✨ (@velodus) May 26, 2026

Eminem, blink-182, Ja Rule, Britney Spears, Missy Elliott, and more released pivotal albums

By the time the Knicks and the Spurs faced off in the 1999 NBA Finals, the world was a mere four months removed from the explosive arrival, and sustaining cultural omnipresence of, Eminem’s The Slim Shady LP.

Other prominent album drops from the first half of 1999 include blink-182’s genre-redefining Enema of the State (the group’s first studio album with Travis Barker); TLC’s FanMail (featuring “No Scrubs”); Ja Rule’s studio debut Venni Vetti Vecci; Britney Spears’s blockbuster …Baby One More Time; Foxy Brown’s Chyna Doll; Jimmy Eat World’s Clarity; The Roots’ Things Fall Apart; Snoop Dogg’s No Limit Top Dogg; Ricky Martin’s self-titled English language debut; Backstreet Boys’ Millennium; Slick Rick’s The Art of Storytelling; Smash Mouth’s Astro Lounge; Mase’s Double Up; The White Stripes’ self-titled debut; Missy Elliott’s Da Real World; Limp Bizkit’s Significant Other; Red Hot Chili Peppers’ Californication; and more.

The Matrix, Austin Powers, Varsity Blues, and more made a splash at theaters

The Matrix, now widely regarded as a classic that forever changed the look and feel of action films, debuted in the States in March 1999. The film ultimately went down as one of the most commercially successful titles of the year, joining other pre-NBA Finals ’99 entries like Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me and Star Wars: Episode I — The Phantom Menace in the final top 10 at the domestic box office.

Varsity Blues, Office Space, Cruel Intentions, 10 Things I Hate About You, The Mummy, Run Lola Run, and more also captured the hearts of moviegoers as the world careened toward a new millennium.

View this post on Instagram

The Sopranos and SpongeBob SquarePants debuted on TV

The pop cultural blessings of 1999 extended to TV, as well, as both The Sopranos and SpongeBob SquarePants had made their debut by the time the Knicks put forth their best effort in pursuit of a chip.

Family Guy and Jon Stewart’s Daily Show run also kicked off in early ’99, while continuing series in the post-Seinfeld TV landscape in the first half of the year included Buffy the Vampire Slayer,South Park, Friends, and The X-Files.

Knicks fans from now on pic.twitter.com/2WyRXRDeVW

— Sopranos World (@SopranosWorld) May 26, 2026

Related Stories

Related News

Carmelo Anthony Says His Son Kiyan Didn’t Have a ‘Failure Year’ After Difficult Season at Syracuse

Neymar Weeps With Joy After Finding Out He Made Brazil’s World Cup Roster

COMPLEX SHOP: Shop the brands you love, anytime and anywhere. Uncover what's next. Buy. Collect. Obsess.

Making Culture Pop. Find the latest entertainment news and the best in music, pop culture, sneakers, style and original shows.

Victor Wembanyama, 'sic semper tyrannis,' John Wilkes Booth and a Spurs moment that doesn't need parody originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

No, Victor Wembanyama didn't quote John Wilkes Booth after Game 7 of the Western Conference Finals.

The San Antonio Spurs' once-in-a-lifetime superstar simply didn't have to.

Wemby's emotion said it all.

His play said it all.

His monster dunk in the first half all over Chet Holmgren was worth thousands of words.

Wembanyama is well-spoken, yes. He knows history, yes.

But the viral rumor about him saying "sic semper tyrannis" -- thus always to tyrants -- to Holmgren after the dunk isn't true. 

It came from an account that has the word "parody" in its description:

Windy Talks Wemby

“When Victor dunked on Chet Holmgren in game 7, he yelled Sic Semper Tyrannis, which is what John Wilkes Booth yelled after he killed Abe Lincoln. That’s the level of understanding history and embracing the moment we are talking about here.” pic.twitter.com/NWSEoBWdAQ

— Hubie Talks Hoops (@HubieTalksHoops) May 31, 2026

MORE: One player will get a ring regardless of whether Spurs or Knicks win NBA Finals

Aside from the fact that it actually wouldn't make that much sense, it's just truly not necessary.

Wembanyama is the ultimate competitor, putting everything he has into getting better and winning. He called it an "addiction" after Saturday night's win.

He's made Holmgren look small, both physically and performance-wise. If Wemby didn't exist, Holmgren might get called a "unicorn." With Wembanyama in the league, Holmgren unfairly feels underwhelming.

That doesn't require Latin from Wemby to make a point.

The point was made, over and over, throughout the seven-game series. The Spurs are still playing, and the Thunder out.

Wembanyama eliminated the defending champions. There's actual nobility in that.

More NBA news:

• James Harden might be delusional
• Bobby Marks sees 5 possible outcomes for LeBron James
• There's a 7th-grade hooper named Kobe Bryant
• CJ McCollum heads for interesting free agency
• Timberwolves can't afford to lose this talented free agent

Stephon Castle gave San Antonio far more than debutant support during the Western Conference Finals, averaging 18 points, five rebounds and 7.6 assists against Oklahoma City.

His Game 7 line was quieter, but still useful, as he delivered 16 points, six rebounds and six assists in the Spurs’ 111-103 win.

That production helped San Antonio reach the NBA Finals, but it also pushed Castle into a historic group.

Stephon Castle breaks MVP trend set by NBA legends

According to StatMuse, Castle became the fourth player this century to record at least 125 points and 50 assists in a Western Conference Finals.

The other three names are Kobe Bryant, Russell Westbrook and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, all of whom went on to win the NBA MVP award.

That is the pattern Castle has disrupted. He now shares a playoff production marker with three MVP winners before even entering his prime.

It speaks to his long-term ceiling. Castle already blends point-of-attack defence, playmaking strength and enough scoring touch to hurt elite playoff opponents.

The complication is obvious. Playing next to Victor Wembanyama gives Castle the perfect platform to win, but it may limit his route to individual awards.

Wembanyama is San Antonio’s franchise centerpiece and already owns the kind of two-way profile that usually drives MVP campaigns.

For Castle, that makes the situation a double-edged sword. He can chase championships beside a generational teammate, while knowing the spotlight may often tilt elsewhere.

Still, joining Bryant, Westbrook and Gilgeous-Alexander is no small signal. Castle has already shown his rise is not just theoretical.

Read more:

With the 2026 NBA draft fast approaching, the first round is on June 23, now's the time to look at some potential options for the Philadelphia 76ers with the No. 22 pick. If one wants to look at Sixers Wire's draft big board, one can do so here.

This series will focus on specific players. The Sixers have a first-round pick thanks to the Jared McCain trade with the Oklahoma City Thunder via the Houston Rockets. After a trip to Round 2 of the playoffs, the Sixers have an opportunity to add to the roster and get themselves another talented young piece around Tyrese Maxey and VJ Edgecombe for the future.

Up next in this series is Arkansas forward Meleek Thomas:

Strengths

There is so much to like about Thomas as a young prospect. He has a ton of athleticism, great offensive instincts, understands how to move without the basketball, and has a tight handle to take defenders off the dribble and set up opportunities at the basket. He shot 43.5% from the floor overall, which isn't a great number, but he shot 41.6% from deep on 5.3 attempts in the 2025-26 season. Thomas, standing at 6-foot-5, can rise up over defenders on the perimeter and he has such a smooth stroke that he makes it look effortless.

Another big aspect to Thomas is his high motor. In order to make it in the NBA, one has to have a ton of competitive spirit and bring it on a nightly basis. The Sixers need players like that off their bench to give them a spark as well as an offensive threat. He's also a solid defender as he competes on that end of the floor and never gives in.

Weaknesses

Shot selection can be an issue at times due to his tendency to rely so much on that 3-point shot. He's an elite shooter, but it leads to some wild shots at times. He will also need to add some more weight as he has a bit of smaller frame at 189 pounds. He will be pushed around a bit by the stronger and bigger guards in the NBA in the early going, but once he figures it out and adds to his body, then he will become a regular rotation player.

Potential fit on the Sixers

Thomas has experience playing next to a high-volume scorer like Maxey as he played with lottery pick Darius Acuff Jr. at Arkansas. The Sixers could always use another player who can hop off their bench with a scorer's mindset and an ability to make an impact right away. Thomas can throw in a couple of triples right away and give Philadelphia a spark while also being a competitor on the defensive end. If the Sixers go this route at No. 22, he gives an upgrade to the bench unit from the wing spot.

This article originally appeared on Sixers Wire: 2026 NBA draft profiles: Philadelphia 76ers prospect Meleek Thomas

Why Jeremy Sochan is an NBA champion whether the Knicks or Spurs win the title originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

Jeremy Sochan plays for the New York Knicks, and so he'd like the Knicks to win the NBA Finals and claim a championship.

Sochan, though, is in a fascinating position. If the San Antonio Spurs lift the Larry O'Brien Trophy instead, Sochan will still get a ring.

Either way, Sochan is a winner -- sort of.

MORE: There's a 7th-grade hooper named Kobe Bryant

How does this work?

Sochan played for the Spurs first this season before joining the Knicks.

He played 28 games with San Antonio, his last of parts of four seasons with the team that drafted him.

The Spurs waived him on Feb. 11, though, and the Knicks then signed him on Feb. 13.

Sochan appeared in 16 regular season games with the Knicks, and he has now added five playoff appearances for New York prior to the beginning of the NBA Finals.

Jeremy Sochan is officially an NBA Champion

He will receive a ring whether the Knicks or Spurs win pic.twitter.com/aORwrOpkEK

— Fullcourtpass (@Fullcourtpass) May 31, 2026

There is no hard and fast rule on which players get rings versus which don't. A team could choose to withhold one from a guy who started the season with them and didn't finish it.

Tradition generally has guys who played as much as Sochan did for each team lined up for a ring either way.

It sure would be a more fun beginning to June if the team he's currently on won the whole thing, but if the Spurs beat the Knicks instead, Sochan still played for a championship team for part of this season, too.

More NBA news:

• James Harden might be delusional
• Bobby Marks sees 5 possible outcomes for LeBron James
• Heat, Norman Powell can impact the Giannis trade picture
• CJ McCollum heads for interesting free agency
• Timberwolves can't afford to lose this talented free agent

A 17-year-old San Antonio Spurs fan remains in critical condition after suffering catastrophic head injuries while celebrating the team’s NBA Western Conference Finals run, according to local reports.

The incident occurred Thursday night following San Antonio’s Game 6 victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder, a win that forced a decisive Game 7 in the series. Family members told local media that the teenager fell from a moving vehicle during postgame celebrations and struck his head on a curb.

The unidentified teen was initially transported to an emergency room before being transferred to another hospital because of the severity of his injuries. Per reports, he suffered significant brain swelling and was later placed on life support.

“The doctors have been running tests to see if he has any further brain activity,” family member Yvonne Hudson told Fox San Antonio.

MORE: Victor Wembanyama earns rare LeBron James-level praise from Kendrick Perkins

According to the San Antonio Express-News, a police source indicated the teenager was brain dead and was not expected to survive. Authorities have not publicly released further details regarding his condition.

SAPD’s statement on the Spurs’ celebration incident

The exact circumstances surrounding the fall remain under investigation. Police have not disclosed additional information about the vehicle involved in the incident.

In a statement, the San Antonio Police Department expressed condolences to those affected.

“The San Antonio Police Department extends our sympathy to the family, friends and loved ones affected by this tragic and preventable incident,” the department said.

Police also used the incident to highlight safety concerns that can arise during large public celebrations.

“Public safety is a shared responsibility,” the statement from Police reads. “We encourage everyone celebrating to follow traffic laws, stay inside of your vehicles and follow directions from the officers who are there to keep everyone safe.”

San Antonio Spurs made it to the NBA finals

The tragedy unfolded during a period of excitement across San Antonio as the Spurs pursued their first NBA Finals appearance since 2014.

Two days after the accident, San Antonio completed its comeback against Oklahoma City, defeating the Thunder 111-103 in Game 7 to win the Western Conference Finals.

MORE: Victor Wembanyama sends strong message after Spurs reach NBA Finals

The Spurs will now face the New York Knicks in the 2026 NBA Finals, but the celebration surrounding the franchise’s success has been overshadowed by the serious incident involving one of its young supporters.

Dylan Harper’s Western Conference finals breakthrough became a family moment after the San Antonio Spurs guard embraced his mother, Maria Harper, following a Game 7 win over Oklahoma City.

The moment carried more weight than a standard postgame celebration. Harper had just helped San Antonio reach the Finals after a Western Conference Finals series that tested his body, role and confidence.

That made Maria Harper’s message feel bigger than encouragement. It sounded like a parent reminding her son that the difficult parts had not been wasted.

Dylan Harper’s mom’s message defines Spurs NBA Finals berth

The NBA shared the emotional embrace between Harper and his mother after the Spurs punched their Finals ticket.

Maria Harper told him, “You go through all your life experiences. Last year was a tough year… it all lines up for this.”

That quote fits because Harper’s playoff run had already demanded a response. He dealt with a right leg issue earlier in the Western Conference Finals, then had to fight through a short scoring slump before finding rhythm again.

His Game 6 performance helped push the series to its deciding night. Harper scored 18 points, grabbed six rebounds and added four assists in San Antonio’s 118-91 win over Oklahoma City.

Spurs beat Thunder in Game 7 to reach NBA Finals

San Antonio finished the job with a 111-103 Game 7 win over the Thunder. That victory sent the Spurs to their first NBA Finals since 2014.

Harper was not the headline scorer in the clincher, but that does not make his role small. Rookie guards rarely get a clean playoff path, and Harper’s series showed exactly why patience matters.

The Spurs needed him to stay ready after an uneven stretch. He did that, and the Game 6 response gave San Antonio another trusted bench option entering Game 7.

That is why the embrace with his mother worked so well. It captured the pressure behind the achievement, not just the achievement itself.

Read more:

Fever's whole approach is setting Caitlin Clark up to fail originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Indiana Fever's defensive approach isn't the reason Caitlin Clark only scored six points on Saturday night. There's plenty to be figured out after a really rough game for the WNBA superstar.

But something is becoming clear and obvious: The way the Fever are playing defense might be setting Clark up to fail.

Opposing teams want to target Clark in isolation, and the Fever are letting them.

Simply put, the Fever are switching on screens. That allows teams to bring the player Clark is defending into the action as a screener, and when Indiana switches, Clark is then guarding the ball handler. At that point, the player with the ball goes to work to attack Clark.

MORE: Megan Gustafson embodies the story of an expansion team

Clark has defended the most isolations in the WNBA so far this season, more than double of anyone else:

If it's felt like teams have *really* looked to attack Caitlin Clark 1v1 this year, it's because they have.

Total isolations defended so far, per Second Spectrum:

1) Caitlin Clark (42)
2) Olivia Miles (19)
3) Pauline Astier/DeWanna Bonner (18)
5) Kelsey Mitchell (17)

— Nekias (Nuh-KAI-us) Duncan (@NekiasNBA) May 31, 2026

A follow-up post to that goes on to note that the Fever have the highest switch rate in the league last year, after ranking fifth in that category last year.

"I wonder how much of that is something Steph (White) wants more of vs. a safeguard for the navigation issues most of their guards have," the above poster, Nekias Duncan, writes.

MORE: Paige Bueckers, Azzi Fudd share a viral video moment

Some screens are sturdy and force switches, but some are more for effect and probably don't really need to be switched. It's much of what the New York Knicks did against James Harden recently in the NBA playoffs.

There are definitely ways to hunt matchups, but if the defense works, it can prevent a lot of that from happening.

Right now, the Fever are letting Clark be putting into the action and targeted, over and over, and it might not be an ideal way to proceed going forward.

More WNBA news:

• Sophie Cunningham and Emily Engstler didn't hold back
• Sophie Cunningham: 'I look like Harry Potter'
• Caitlin Clark's injury may trace to a dirty play in 2025
• Azzi Fudd ties Caitlin Clark record with incredible outburst
• Sky freed Kamilla Cardoso from Angel Reese, and they're being proven right

Spurs' Stephon Castle equals Kobe Bryant & SGA in historic WCF feat originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

Being a star player in the NBA Playoffs usually means that someone owns all possession of historical records throughout their runs. But this is not the case for an insanely talented San Antonio Spurs team that runs on a decentralized system. While Victor Wembanyama is the face of this franchise, other stars also reach insane heights in the Western Conference. The biggest example? Julian Champagnie, who just notched a feat exclusive NBA MVP winners like Kobe Bryant and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.

Champagnie equals Bryant and other NBA MVPs in historic WCF feat

Stephon Castle is only the fourth player since the turn of the century to have grabbed 125+ points and 50+ throughout the Western Conference Finals, via StatMuse. The only other players in league history to have done this is Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Russell Westbrook, and Kobe Bryant — all of which are previous NBA MVP winners.

This was not the only feat that Castle grabbed when the Spurs demolished the Thunder in the Western Conference. In Game 7, the Spurs young guard scored 15 points, grabbed six rebounds, and dropped six assists. Castle now leads all players in the NBA Playoffs for the most games with 15 points, 5 rebounds, and 5 assists games.

Castle is clearly going to be the guard of the future for when the Spurs start a dynasty. He works well under the schemes of Coach Mitch Johnson and his dynamic two-man game with Victor Wembanyama is also amazing. He does have issues when it comes to turnovers and on-ball defense at times, which got exposed during this Thunder series, but these are woes that time is able to fix anyway.

If there's any indication that Castle will be good for a long time, this is it. The fact that he is just in his second year while already having equaled Westbrook, Gilgeous-Alexander, and Bryant says a lot about his potential.

Spurs News:

• How the Spurs vs Knicks rematch in the 2026 Finals validates the NBA Cup

• Spurs reach first NBA Finals since 2014 as Victor Wembanyama wins WCF MVP

• Luke Kornet jokingly compares his block to LeBron James' legendary 2016 Finals moment

Through the 2024-25 season, the Los Angeles Lakers have had a total of 506 players suit up for them, going back to their days in Minneapolis. Some were forgettable, some were serviceable, some were good and a select few were flat-out legendary.

During the Lakers' 80th season of existence (they were founded back in 1946 as the Detroit Gems in the National Basketball League), LeBron Wire is taking a look at each player who has worn their jersey, whether it has been a purple and gold one or the ones they donned back in the Midwest during their early years.

After winning an NCAA championship at the University of California, Los Angeles, as well as an Olympic gold medal with the United States in 1964, Walt Hazzard was taken with the No. 5 pick in the 1964 NBA Draft by the Lakers. He became a key member of the Lakers' rotation, and in three seasons with them, he averaged 9.4 points and 3.8 assists in 21.2 minutes a game.

The 6-foot-2 guard was taken by the Seattle SuperSonics in the expansion draft in 1967, and that season, he made the All-Star team by averaging 24 points and 6.2 assists a game. He played for three other teams over the rest of his career, and he ended his playing career in 1974 with lifetime averages of 12.6 points and 4.9 assists in 26.5 minutes per game.

Hazzard later went on to become a coach, first at Compton Community College and Chapman College, before being hired to be the Bruins' head coach in 1984. He was at the helm of the Bruins for four seasons, and during that time, they won an NIT championship and a Pac-10 tournament title.

This article originally appeared on LeBron Wire: Lakers jersey history No. 42 — Walt Hazzard

Led by 22-year-old otherworldly superstar Victor Wembanyama, the San Antonio Spurs are going to the NBA Finals for the first time since 2014. San Antonio went on the road and took down the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder 111-103 in Game 7 of the 2026 Western Conference Finals on Saturday night at Paycom Center. The Spurs will face the New York Knicks in the NBA Finals.

“And the San Antonio Spurs have done it!” Tirico exclaimed after San Antonio’s Devin Vassell threw down an exclamation dunk.

“There will be a new champion in the NBA!” Tirico continued. “A new era has dawned! It’s Wemby’s West! The Spurs are going to the NBA Finals!”

Mike Tirico: “There will be a new champion in the NBA! A new era has dawned! It’s Wemby’s West! The Spurs are going to the NBA Finals!” #NBA#NBCpic.twitter.com/QG5tEm8vWs

— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) May 31, 2026

“They have arrived,” Tirico added. “And you saw the emotion from Victor Wembanyama, as he was looking up into the stands. The San Antonio Spurs go on the road, and in the house of the defending NBA champs, earn a berth in the NBA Finals for the first time in a dozen years.”

After the game, NBC color commentators Jamal Crawford and Reggie Miller showed their appreciation for working with Tirico, just a few days after they informed him of his Emmy award. And Crawford offered enormous praise for Tirico:

Jamal Crawford: “We have our star. … When you were playing and I was growing up, Mike [Jordan] and Marv [Albert] were synonymous with NBC. Now we have Mike [Tirico] and Vic [Wembanyama] for the next 20 years, synonymous with each other.” pic.twitter.com/wTtQ7JjBYZ

— Sports TV News & Updates (@TVSportsUpdates) May 31, 2026

“We have our star,” Crawford said. “And what an honor it’s been to work with you the whole year.”

“Stop it,” Tirico said.

“No, no. Seriously,” Crawford responded. “Can I say something? Seriously.”

Tirico reluctantly said, “Sure.”

“When you (Miller) were playing, and I was growing up, Mike (Jordan) and Marv (Albert) were synonymous with NBC,” Crawford explained. “Now, we have Mike (Tirico) and Vic (Wembanyama) for the next 20 years, synonymous with each other.”

It’s been a mind-blowing 2026 for Tirico, the voice of Sunday Night Football and Sunday Night Basketball for NBC. In February, he went right from calling Super Bowl LX to hosting primetime coverage of the Winter Olympics for NBC in Milan the next day. He also was praised for his monologue to close out NBC’s broadcast after the USA men’s hockey team won the gold medal.

Shoutout to @miketirico as his fantastic run concludes tonight in Game 7 covering multiple events with almost no rest since September including:

20 Weeks of @SNFonNBC
Super Bowl 60
15 Nights of Primetime Olympics, 13 Days of Daytime
152nd @KentuckyDerby
33 @NBAonNBC Games pic.twitter.com/JuMzE43EhT

— Tyler Wong (@TylerWong65) May 30, 2026

Game 7 concluded NBC’s first season back to televising NBA games after a 23-year hiatus.

.@miketirico signs off from NBC Sports’ final game of its 2025-26 @NBA season! pic.twitter.com/oKkXCIYyIw

— NBC Sports PR (@NBCSportsPR) May 31, 2026

NBC’s media rights deal with the NBA runs through the 2035-36 season, so there will be much more of Tirico calling big games alongside Miller and Crawford in the years to come.

The post ‘It’s Wemby’s West!’: Mike Tirico calls Game 7, earns massive praise from Jamal Crawford on NBC appeared first on Awful Announcing.

Stephanie White sends clear message about Indiana Fever veteran's role originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Indiana Fever continue searching for the right lineup combinations early in the 2026 season, and that process has left one veteran watching from the bench. Damiris Dantas did not play in Indiana's previous three games entering Saturday night's matchup against the Portland Fire, prompting questions about where the longtime WNBA veteran fits in Stephanie White's current rotation.

Before tipoff, White addressed the situation directly and made it clear that Dantas' recent absence has more to do with matchups and the emergence of rookie Makayla Timpson than any long-term change in plans. In fact, White suggested Dantas could be back on the floor sooner rather than later.

Stephanie White explains Damiris Dantas' recent absence

When asked why Dantas had received three consecutive DNPs, White pointed to both opponent-specific game plans and Timpson's recent performance.

"It's gone a little bit with Makayla Timpson playing well and a little bit because of our opponent," White explained.

The Fever have recently faced teams that rely heavily on smaller, more versatile lineups. According to White, those matchups have favored Timpson's mobility and defensive flexibility.

"I mean, small teams playing with versatile lineups and having the versatility that Timpson brings offensively and defensively," White said. "Especially when we were in a lot of our switches, has kind of kept Dantas out of the rotation."

Timpson once again played a significant role against Portland. The rookie logged 25 minutes and finished with 11 points, six rebounds and two blocks.

Meanwhile, Dantas remained on the bench throughout Indiana's 100-84 loss.

Fever coach expects Dantas to return

While Dantas has temporarily lost her spot in the rotation, White was quick to shut down any notion that the move is permanent. The Fever coach said upcoming opponents could create opportunities for the veteran forward to re-enter the lineup.

"Certainly not something that's going to continue," White said before Saturday's game. "When you think about our next three or four games, I expect DD to be back in the rotation."

That statement should provide reassurance for Fever fans wondering whether Dantas had fallen completely out of favor. The 33-year-old brings valuable experience to a roster that is still learning how all of its pieces fit together around Caitlin Clark, Aliyah Boston and the rest of Indiana's core.

MORE: Indiana Fever veterans are already embracing rookie in viral Sophie Cunningham interaction

Fever balancing development and winning

The situation also highlights one of the biggest challenges facing White this season. Indiana entered the year with increased expectations after a busy offseason, but the Fever also added several new faces who need opportunities to develop. Timpson has taken advantage of her recent minutes, making it difficult for the coaching staff to take her off the floor.

At the same time, veterans such as Dantas remain important depth pieces over the course of a long season. Dantas last appeared on May 17 against the Seattle Storm, recording three points and a block in six minutes. Through four appearances this season, she is averaging 4.0 points and 1.0 rebounds in 9.3 minutes per game.

For now, Timpson appears to have earned the edge in Indiana's frontcourt rotation. But based on White's comments, Dantas' stint on the bench may not last much longer.

More WNBA News

• Indiana Fever veterans are already embracing rookie in viral Sophie Cunningham interaction
• WNBA expansion teams are proving they belong much faster than expected
• Indiana Fever’s high-powered offense is becoming one of the WNBA’s biggest early storylines
• Kelsey Plum injury leaves Sparks facing major early-season test
• Angel Reese keeps proving Atlanta Dream made the right bet

Sophie Cunningham's World Cup-inspired outfit is an instant winner originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

Sophie Cunningham has become one of the Indiana Fever's most talked-about players this season, and it isn't always because of what happens during games. The veteran guard continues to build a reputation as one of the WNBA's most recognizable personalities, regularly drawing attention with her pregame arrivals. Just days after making headlines for a bold outfit before Indiana's game against the Golden State Valkyries, Cunningham found herself back in the spotlight Saturday with another look that seemed perfectly timed.

Ahead of the Fever's matchup against the Portland Fire, Cunningham arrived wearing a vintage-inspired Adidas USA World Cup '94 track jacket paired with matching graphic denim shorts. The outfit quickly stood out, especially with soccer fans already counting down the days until the United States helps host the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Sophie Cunningham's throwback World Cup look arrives at the perfect time

The 1994 FIFA World Cup remains one of the most memorable sporting events ever hosted in the United States. More than three decades later, anticipation is building once again as the country prepares to welcome the world's biggest soccer tournament in 2026 alongside Canada and Mexico.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Indiana Fever (@indianafever)

That made Cunningham's choice of apparel especially fitting. The throwback jacket paid tribute to the last men's World Cup held on American soil, while also serving as a reminder that another historic tournament is just around the corner.

The Fever shared photos of players arriving before the game, and Cunningham's look immediately became one of the standout moments from the team's pregame fashion showcase. It also continued a trend that has followed Cunningham throughout the season. Whether it's her personality, her style, or her play, the Fever guard consistently finds ways to stay in the conversation.

MORE: Paige Bueckers just passed Caitlin Clark in one major category

Cunningham delivers on the court as well

The attention wasn't limited to her arrival outfit. Cunningham turned in one of her better performances of the season against Portland, finishing with 15 points, four assists, three rebounds and a steal. She knocked down three of her five attempts from beyond the arc and provided a steady offensive spark throughout the night.

Indiana ultimately fell 100-84 to the Fire, dropping to 4-4 on the season, but Cunningham's performance was one of the bright spots. As the Fever continue navigating a season filled with expectations, Cunningham remains one of the team's most valuable veterans. And if recent weeks are any indication, she'll continue making an impact both before tipoff and after the opening whistle.

The Fever may not have gotten the result they wanted Saturday night, but Cunningham's World Cup-inspired outfit was an easy victory long before the game started.

More WNBA News

• Indiana Fever veterans are already embracing rookie in viral Sophie Cunningham interaction
• WNBA expansion teams are proving they belong much faster than expected
• Indiana Fever’s high-powered offense is becoming one of the WNBA’s biggest early storylines
• Kelsey Plum injury leaves Sparks facing major early-season test
• Angel Reese keeps proving Atlanta Dream made the right bet

Caitlin Clark had one of the worst games of her career during Saturday night’s blowout loss to the Portland Fire as she struggled on both ends of the court and found herself in foul trouble most of the game. Now, it sounds like all she can do is bounce back.

While Clark struggled on the offensive end of the court, scoring just six points on a 1-for-7 shooting performance, she was even worse on the defensive end. Clark struggled to defend Fire guard Carla Weite, who finished the game with 18 points and 12 assists, as she picked up five fouls before the fourth quarter even began.

After the game, Clark addressed her defensive struggles and her foul trouble, making it clear that the officiating was not to blame.

Caitlin Clark’s Defensive Struggles

Clark has never been a strong on-ball defender, and the Fire took advantage of that by intentionally putting Clark in a position that required her to defend Weite in one-on-one isolation situations. Clark struggled to stay in front of Weite and defend without fouling, and that led to a lot of foul issues.

Clark entered halftime with three fouls and picked up her fourth just two minutes into the third quarter. As a result, Fever head coach Stephanie White put Clark on the bench.

After sitting on the bench for most of the third quarter, Clark checked back into the game at the 2-minute mark in the third quarter, but she picked up her fifth foul less than two minutes later and was immediately taken back out of the lineup. Clark remained on the bench until midway through the fourth quarter, but the game was already out of reach at that point.

Clark’s foul trouble forced her to the bench far more often than she or the Fever would have liked. As a result, she was never able to develop a rhythm offensively.

Clark Addresses Struggles

After the game, Clark was asked about her foul trouble and whether or not she felt that the new officiating emphasis played a role in her five fouls. While Clark has never been shy about criticizing the officiating in the past, she did not feel like it was an issue on Saturday night.

“Officiating wasn’t our problem tonight,” Clark said after the game.

Clark took the blame herself as she said that she simply needs to be better on the defensive side of the ball, especially if the opponent is going to look to put her in one-on-one iso situations.

“It’s hard when you foul,” Clark said. “I just need to do a better job of being straight up and keeping the [opponent] in front of me. Also, if they’re going to hunt isos, just move my feet a little bit better. Definitely some tough ones, but that’s just basketball. It’s just a game. Learn from it, watch the film, come back next game, and be ready to go.”

Clark and the Fever will have a chance to bounce back on Thursday with a showdown against Angel Reese and the Atlanta Dream.

The post ‘Need to do a better job’: Caitlin Clark does not make excuses after blowout loss appeared first on The Comeback: Today’s Top Sports Stories & Reactions.

The NBA world crossed into soccer again on Saturday, as the Champions League final became a meeting point for stars with clear rooting interests.

Nikola Jokic and Giannis Antetokounmpo attended to support Arsenal, while Josh Hart and Jeremy Sochan followed from afar as PSG faced Arsenal in Budapest.

Victor Wembanyama added another layer before kick-off, and his prediction resurfaced after PSG retained the Champions League title on penalties.

Victor Wembanyama’s PSG call aged perfectly after Arsenal warning

During an NBA Nightcap appearance, Steve Nash asked Wembanyama who he would support in the final. His answer was direct and very French.

“Oh come on, PSG of course. At least PSG is gonna make it somewhat fun, because I know Arsenal ain’t,” the center said.

Arsenal briefly challenged that view when Kai Havertz scored early, but the rest of the night made Wembanyama’s comment feel sharper than simple club loyalty.

The Gunners finished with just seven shots, three corners and 285 passes across more than 120 minutes, despite PSG losing important players in the closing chapters of the match.

Opta reported Arsenal’s 24.7% possession was the lowest recorded by any team in a Champions League final since 2003-04.

It was also Arsenal’s lowest share under Mikel Arteta in any match where they had 11 players throughout.

The Gunners were close to their first Champions League trophy as the final reached penalties. Yet the performance still felt too cautious for the chance in front of them.

Read more:

Saturday night’s nationally televised game against the Portland Fire did not go as planned for the Indiana Fever, and the frustration was evident on the sidelines.

The Fever entered Saturday night’s game as a 12-point favorite over the Fire as they looked to rebound from Thursday night’s loss to the Golden State Valkyries. However, Indiana was not the team that came away with a double-digit victory.

Portland dominated the Fever from start to finish as Caitlin Clark had one of the worst games of her entire career, struggling on both sides of the ball. And during the game, frustrations seemed to boil over between Clark and Fever head coach Stephanie White.

Caitlin Clark Struggles

Clark struggled on both sides of the ball throughout Saturday’s blowout loss. On the offensive end, Clark scored just six points in the game as she shot just 1-for-7 from the field and missed all three of her three-point attempts.

While her struggles on offense were evident, Clark actually struggled even more on the defensive side of the ball. Throughout the game, Clark struggled to defend Fire guard Carla Weite, who finished the game with 18 points and 12 assists.

Clark could not stay out of foul trouble, either, which caused her to spend a significant portion of the game on the bench.

Clark Benched After Heated Exchange

In the second quarter of Saturday’s game, Clark and White were caught having a heated exchange on the sideline during a timeout. A video captured by a fan in the stands showed the entire encounter.

In the video, which has since gone viral on social media, White was quite animated as she had some passionate words directly for Clark. White pointed right at Clark multiple times and slapped her knee in apparent frustration.

Thought Steph left her fire in Connecticut! pic.twitter.com/meFefzUAAf

— Mostly WNBA Tweets  (@MostlyWNBA) May 31, 2026

At first, Clark did not respond to White as she calmly drank water on the bench and looked away. Eventually, though, Clark did have an animated response of her own, holding her hands up while talking back to White.

It’s not clear what was said during the heated exchange, but following the interaction, White immediately benched Clark, putting rookie Raven Johnson in the game in her place.

Clark did re-enter the game about 2:30 later, but the incident and subsequent benching was still notable and led to several reactions on social media.

Incident Goes Viral

The heated exchange between Clark and White quickly went viral on social media, racking up more than 400,000 views in under three hours as fans offered their reactions.

“Being uncoachable when you’re on the court looking like barbecue chicken is crazy. Like it gets to a point. I lowkey feel bad for Stephanie White,” one fan wrote in a post on X.

“Steph’s gonna ‘win’ these battles, but she is going to lose the war (her job) sooner rather than later,” someone else wrote.

“What can justify talking back to your coach when you’re down 20,” someone else wrote.

“Oh boy, told Clark to get up and let Raven sit down,” another fan added.

“She’s so embarrassing, this happens every game. Steph has the patience of a saint, I would’ve told her to sit her [expletive] on the bench and find a new team,” someone else said.

“She basically told Caitlin to hand Raven a water,” another fan wrote.

Clearly, tensions were high between Clark and White.

The post Caitlin Clark benched after heated exchange with coach Stephanie White appeared first on The Comeback: Today’s Top Sports Stories & Reactions.

Caitlin Clark vs Angel Reese has been a generational rivalry, and it has resulted in a media storm that has helped catapult the WNBA into unprecedented levels of popularity.

Reese got the better of Clark in college when her LSU Tigers defeated Clark’s Iowa Hawkeyes in the national championship. However, entering this season, Clark has had more success as a professional across their WNBA careers. Clark won Rookie of the Year and was named to the All-WNBA first team.

Clark has also reached the playoffs, something Reese has yet to accomplish. This season, it looked as if the narrative would continue, as Reese has struggled throughout the season with her offensive efficiency, while Clark, who is back after her second year in the league was decimated by injuries, looked through the first six games like she was back in her first-team form.

However, across her last two games, both losses, Clark’s efficiency has been just as worrisome as Reese’s, as one social media user on X was quick to note.

y’all wanna talk about efficiency now or does that only apply to angel??? https://t.co/w1fNVJ2HTzpic.twitter.com/zDkUUAXKij

— jay.☆ (@reese4mvp) May 31, 2026

While her struggles on the offensive end can largely be attributed to aberrations, Clark’s defense has become just as concerning. Teams are beginning to hunt for matchups with her on that end, and with Clark showing little resistance and at times seemingly lacking in effort, the Fever are struggling immensely to get stops.

Indiana is approaching the quarter mark of the season, and it’ll need its star to figure things out on both ends if it wants to compete for a title.

The post Two peas in a pod? Caitlin Clark’s struggles beginning to mirror Angel Reese’s appeared first on The Comeback: Today’s Top Sports Stories & Reactions.

Los Angeles Lakers star guard Austin Reaves is almost certainly going to opt out of his contract and become a free agent this summer. While some fans of the team want him to be sent out in a sign-and-trade in order to give the roster more balance, many want Reaves to stay put on a new contract.

While the Lakers will have plenty of salary cap space, they also will want to re-sign some of their other key players, including LeBron James. The Brooklyn Netshave been mentioned as an outside team that could make Reaves a big offer in free agency, and overall, rival executives reportedly feel he could command $40 million a year.

Robert Horry, a seven-time NBA champion who won three rings with the Lakers, said on ESPN L.A. that Reaves has to ultimately do what's best for him.

“I think with Reaves, he has to do what is best for him,” Horry said.

“Sometimes fans forget that. We want him to stay, but at the end of the day, his life. He has to do what is best for him. Let’s say some team is going to offer you $180 million, and the Lakers are going to offer you $120 million. That is $40 million.

“... He got to make up that $40 million,” Horry jokingly added. “... I love AR. At the end of the day, you have to do what’s best for you.”

One way or another, Reaves is going to get paid handsomely this summer. However, it is very questionable whether he would take a bigger contract to play for a team like the Nets that went 20-62 this season and won't be much better next season, even with him.

He will still receive the kind of money that will make him and his family financially secure for many generations to come if he stays with the Lakers. But one thing money cannot buy is an NBA championship ring, and Reaves seems like the kind of man who has a strong desire to get one.

This article originally appeared on LeBron Wire: Robert Horry: Austin Reaves has to do what's best for him

The San Antonio Spurs aren’t going anywhere — at least not anytime soon.

Victor Wembanyama is 22 years old and might already be the best player on the planet. Stephon Castle (21) and Dylan Harper (20) are emerging stars. And the Spurs have just dethroned the Oklahoma City Thunder after going into their house and stunning them in Game 7 of the Western Conference finals.

All of which prompts the question: does Oklahoma City need to significantly tweak its roster to compete with San Antonio?

This is the new reality facing the Thunder. When a young team goes on to win the NBA Finals ahead of schedule like they did last season, it becomes championship or bust.

The thornier complications are financial, and Thunder executive vice president and general manager Sam Presti will need to be creative to juggle this roster.

Yet, to be clear, the goal here should be to keep this core intact as much as possible.

GAME 7 TAKEAWAYS: Victor Wembanyama, Spurs top Thunder to reach NBA Finals

Let’s start here: the Thunder, for the latter half of the series, were without Jalen Williams and Ajay Mitchell, both of whom are excellent offensive creators and both of whom ease pressure off of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.

With both sidelined, that forced the ball into Gilgeous-Alexander’s hands and made it easier for the Spurs to throw double-teams at him.

It also put a ton of pressure on Oklahoma City’s shooters, to knock down open looks.

Williams and Mitchell, who emerged this postseason as a solid offensive play-maker, allow Gilgeous-Alexander to play off the ball more. In their absence, the Thunder offense stagnated and everything was taxing for the back-to-back NBA MVP, who scored 35 points on 12-of-21 shooting in Game 7.

It’s a very different series if both Williams and Mitchell are healthy.

“I still think we had enough to get it done,” Gilgeous-Alexander said after the game. “We won two-and-a-half games without them, we just didn’t get to it in the biggest game of the series. I guess it will take a little bit, but I’ll go back and watch the games where we had some success, and why did we have success and try to duplicate those things next season.”

In some ways, Oklahoma City is already built to stop a team like the Spurs.

The Thunder have a pair of bigs in Chet Holmgren and Isaiah Hartenstein who can make life tough for Wembanyama. Hartenstein, in particular, used his strength at times in the Western Conference finals to shove and manipulate Wembanyama in the low post.

But Hartenstein has a $28.5 million club option for next season that the Thunder will need to exercise before June 29. If Oklahoma City wants to save some space in the salary cap, declining that option is an easy route.

The more complicated question surrounds Holmgren. His five-year, $239.3 million contract extension kicks in next season. Holmgren finished second in Defensive Player of the Year voting to Wembanyama and was an All-NBA third-team selection. Yet, he disappeared at times during the Western Conference finals and produced his worst performance in Game 7, when he took just 2 shot attempts and finished with 4 points and 4 rebounds.

That’s probably not enough for the Thunder to dangle him in a trade this offseason — perhaps to move up from the No. 12 pick that they currently hold in the 2026 NBA Draft — but Presti is going to have to be calculating a judicious.

That means veterans like Luguentz Dort, Aaron Wiggins and Kenrich Williams may be gone — out of necessity more than anything. The same could be said even for Alex Caruso, who is a tremendously versatile defender and whose championship experience is treasured in the locker room.

If the goal is to keep the core of Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams and Holmgren intact, the Thunder will need to be cold and calculated. They will have to let go of good players — including ones beloved in the locker room.

Gilgeous-Alexander turns 28 in July and is in his prime. Williams is 25 and Holmgren is 24. The Thunder's window to win is now. As long as this core is together, anything else becomes a disappointment.

“To be a 64-win team and have the net rating we did, overcome some of the adversities we did in the season is something we’re incredibly proud of,” Thunder coach Mark Daigneault said after Game 7. “It’s something we can build on. When you have a team that’s together for a long time, you have to grow from every experience, including the tough ones. It’s the NBA, there are tough ones.

“And we can also be really disappointed. We felt like we could’ve won the series, obviously. We were right there, in the game and in the series. There’s nobody that we don’t think we can beat, respectfully, so obviously we’re going to be disappointed with the outcome. You don’t have to choose one or the other. You can be proud of the progress you made this season and some of the successes, and you can be disappointed.”

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Thunder offseason starts now. How does OKC compete with Spur in future

Cason Wallace declares the San Antonio Spurs a 'beatable team' despite losing to them originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

In one of the most competitive Western Conference Finals of all time, the San Antonio Spurs prevailed against the Oklahoma City Thunder. It was quite a superb series, but only one team could advance, and this time, it was the Spurs.

Despite losing to the Spurs, the Thunder did have some significant players sidelined. Ajay Mitchell missed the majority of the series, while Jalen Williams missed out on playing Game 7 after a premature return in Game 6.

Cason Wallace believes the Spurs are still a 'beatable' team after the WCF

As one of the standout players who helped Shai Gilgeous-Alexander in Game 7, Cason Wallace can hold his head high. He was superb in the do-or-die game, but he has always been a consistent defensive standout for OKC.

Unfortunately, the rest of the team struggled to keep up offensively, which led to the Spurs winning the series. However, the Spurs are not a perfect team because they still almost lost to a short-handed Thunder squad.

MORE: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is not going to make inputs about offseason moves

Wallace made sure to point this out in his post-game interview after Game 7. He probably does not mean any disrespect to the Spurs, but he did give an honest take on the team that just beat the Thunder.

"They're a good team. Beatable team, obviously we beat them, but we gotta do things better for a longer period of time," Wallace said after Game 7 in his post-game presser.

It might sound like sour grapes, but Wallace does make a valid point. This series would have been so much better for the Thunder had Mitchell and Williams played. Unfortunately, that was not the case, and the Thunder lost because of it.

They can run it back in the 2026-27 season, but it will be interesting how the Thunder adjusts. They still have a fantastic core group of players led by arguably the best player in the league.

More NBA news:

• Mark Daigneuault reveals that Chet Holmgren's issues were a problem across the team
• How the Spurs' Game 7 win shows the parity in the NBA
• The Spurs have reached their first NBA Finals since 2014
• Victor Wembanyama talks about why he was emotional after the Game 7 win
• The complete box score for Game 7 between the Spurs and the Thunder

The Oklahoma City Thunder saw their season end in a 111-103 Game 7 loss to the San Antonio Spurs on Saturday. They finish on the wrong side of a 4-3 series count in the 2026 Western Conference Finals.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander left it all on the floor with 35 points and nine assists. Cason Wallace helped out with 17 points and seven rebounds. Chet Holmgren was a no-show with four points and four rebounds.

Meanwhile, Victor Wembanyama had 22 points and seven rebounds. He won the 2026 Western Conference Finals MVP. Stephon Castle had 16 points, six rebounds and six assists. Julian Champagnie popped off for 20 points and six rebounds.

Let's look at some of the best photos from the Thunder's eight-point Game 7 loss to the Spurs:

This article originally appeared on OKC Thunder Wire: Photos: Best images from Thunder's 111-103 Game 7 loss to Spurs

OKLAHOMA CITY — Exiting the court, the reigning NBA champions' time on the throne has officially come to an end. Victor Wembanyama went from teammate to teammate to drape his lengthy wingspan over their bodies for several bear hugs in a row. Meanwhile, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander quietly went through the home tunnel.

The Oklahoma City Thunder fell in a 111-103 Game 7 loss to the San Antonio Spurs. They came up a win shy in the 2026 Western Conference Finals, being on the wrong side of a 4-3 final series count.

Without Jalen Williams and Ajay Mitchell, the Thunder faced an uphill battle. Conventional wisdom suggested all year that OKC desperately needed the former against San Antonio to have a chance. Instead, he only played one full game looking like himself before another hamstring injury sidelined him.

To add insult to injury — pun intended — Mitchell's absence for the last four games of this series made the Thunder play offense with a hand tied behind their collective back. Bless OKC's role players' hearts, but the talent gap was too wide to overcome. Barring some wild outside shooting variance.

The Thunder had that in Game 5. It was needed again in this do-or-die situation. Instead, they once again started on a flat note. Turning it over every other possession, they were in an 18-8 hole from the jump. Slow starts have plagued OKC all series long. Now, it's happening again in the finale.

Eventually, the Thunder settled down. They were in a 32-25 deficit after the first quarter. Gilgeous-Alexander had it going. So did Jared McCain in spurts. But everybody else couldn't join in on helping out the short-handed squad. The second quarter was a much different story, though.

In what turned out to be their best punch of the game, the Thunder went on a 20-5 run to make things interesting. Gilgeous-Alexander finally looked like a two-time MVP winner who shared the same sentences as Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant. Drilling mid-range jumpers over San Antonio defenders, he wouldn't allow OKC to get buried on the scoreboard again.

The Thunder had 28 points in the second quarter. They entered halftime in a 56-53 deficit. You easily take being in that spot — all things considered. Gilgeous-Alexander had 19 points. McCain helped with 10. If they hoped to pull off the all-time win, others had to help out. Looking at you, Chet Holmgren.

Shaking up the second half lineup, Alex Caruso and Jaylin Williams replaced Lu Dort and Isaiah Hartenstein. The Thunder turned every stone in sight to see if they could conjure up some clutch-time magic to overcome their scoring talent dressed up in street clothes.

Scoring eight in a row, the lineup change worked out. Williams hit a big-time 3-pointer to make it a 79-77 game with a minute to go in the third frame. The Thunder were in a manageable 80-77 deficit through three quarters. Alas, those hopes quickly evaporated.

In the biggest stretch of the series, the Spurs started the fourth quarter on a 17-9 run. To twist the knife? Wembanyama had little to do with it. Instead, it was San Antonio's others. Julian Champagnie poured it on from the outside. Keldon Johnson delivered huge outside jumpers. Even Stephon Castle bullied his way to the rim.

With eight minutes left, the Thunder were in a 97-86 deficit. All of the progress they made it keep it within a possessions was gone. Poof. And even with Wembanyama's foul trouble, OKC couldn't capitalize. The lack of top-scoring sans Gilgeous-Alexander reared its ugly head to the top.

Even when the Thunder's defense finally showed up by forcing turnovers, they couldn't convert on the other end in transition. That's been a theme all series. And it finally bit them in the worst way possible. Gilgeous-Alexander tried his best to play Superman, but OKC's offense quickly bogged down to bad shot attempts. They scored 26 points in the final frame.

The Thunder shot 45% from the field and went 12-of-35 (34.3%) from 3. They shot 17-of-22 on free throws. They also had 23 assists on 37 baskets. Five Thunder players scored double-digit points.

Gilgeous-Alexander gave it his all with 35 points and nine assists. Cason Wallace helped out with 17 points and seven rebounds. Caruso had 12 points and five rebounds. McCain finished with 12 points. Williams had 11 points and 10 rebounds.

Meanwhile, the Spurs shot 46% from the field and went 17-of-40 (42.5%) from 3. They shot 14-of-19 on free throws. They had 21 assists on 40 baskets. Seven Spurs players scored double-digit points.

Wembanyama had 22 points and seven rebounds en route to the Western Conference Finals MVP. Castle had 16 points, six rebounds and six assists. Champagnie chipped in with 20 points and six rebounds. De'Aaron Fox had 15 points and five assists. Dylan Harper finished with 12 points and seven rebounds. Johnson scored 11 points.

Well, that's how the cookie crumbles sometimes. Once Williams and Mitchell were lost for most of the playoff series, it was going to take a Herculean effort from Gilgeous-Alexander and the rest of the Thunder to pull this off. The Spurs were OKC's equal all year. Both were the NBA's best two teams all season as 60-plus-win juggernauts. They finished just one win shy of doing so. As the adage goes — you need as much luck as talent to win an NBA championship. The Thunder didn't have the former in the health department.

Now, the Thunder will have an entire summer to figure out what's next. Roster changes are inevitable. Looking at their cap sheet, they have some important decisions to make regarding the supporting cast around Gilgeous-Alexander, Williams and Holmgren. That's part of the NBA gig. No such thing as a standstill roster. You tip your cap to OKC. It did everything it could under its situation. Just didn't have the talent to beat the Spurs.

Let's look at Thunder player grades:

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander: A-plus

Down six points with 90 seconds left, Gilgeous-Alexander had one last gasp to do something. Matched up with Champagnie, the two-time MVP went with the signature stepback 3-pointer. The move he's worked countless hours on betrayed him at the biggest moment of the year. He badly missed the desperate.

He could still hold his head up high, though. Gilgeous-Alexander finished with 35 points on 12-of-21 shooting, nine assists and four rebounds. He shot 2-of-5 from 3 and went 9-of-11 on free throws. He also had three steals and one block.

Without Williams and Mitchell, the Thunder needed Gilgeous-Alexander to go supernova to have a chance. And considering the final score, he almost did. It took seven games, but the 27-year-old finally looked like the league's best player. He left it all on the floor and outdueled Wembanyama — even if that fact gets lost in time.

Gilgeous-Alexander had it going from the start. He scored 19 points in the first half. Nobody else on the Thunder had it going. All of OKC's role players' hot scoring has dried up. Considering how dire the situation was, they needed him to be a one-man show as Williams was physically absent while Holmgren was mentally absent.

Helping the Thunder stay within striking distance, Gilgeous-Alexander had 12 points in the third quarter alone. At 31 points through three frames, he was their sole source of consistent offense. His mid-range jumper finally returned after an impromptu sabbatical. You can't afford to pass up on decent looks for hopefully better ones in this scenario.

Unfortunately, the Thunder learned the very hard lesson that you can't win a Game 7 with just one player showing up. Gilgeous-Alexander emptied the chamber and made things interesting, but a year filled with OKC overcoming injuries finally caught up to it at the end. It was his worst playoff series to date as an NBA superstar, but he finished it off with a bang and playing well enough to get the series win.

Get up 2️⃣‼️ pic.twitter.com/MFlVCdnAih

— OKC THUNDER (@okcthunder) May 31, 2026

One possession at a time ⚡️ pic.twitter.com/tt4BLWI6tJ

— OKC THUNDER (@okcthunder) May 31, 2026

Come out swinging in the second half 🎯 pic.twitter.com/ahaczOtwdd

— OKC THUNDER (@okcthunder) May 31, 2026

Chet Holmgren: F-minus

The same can't be said about OKC's other All-NBA player. Seldom playing in the fourth quarter of a Game 7 with a trip to the NBA Finals on the line, Holmgren's ineffectiveness was plastered all over television screens across the country. It finally caught up to the Thunder in this season-ending loss.

Holmgren finished with four points on 1-of-2 shooting and four rebounds. He shot 2-of-4 on free throws. He also had two blocks and two steals.

Just bad. Flat-out bad. Holmgren has done an excellent job of evading the Wembanyama beef. But this Western Conference Finals will force the Thunder to address that elephant in the room — one way or another. After playing like an All-NBA guy through OKC's first two playoff series, his production dipped below the floor. Save for maybe a few flashes. But flashes aren't what you're about to pay him a boatload of money for.

Of course, nobody reasonable could've expected Holmgren to meet Wembanyama's production. The latter left those talks years ago. But there's zero excuse for the 24-year-old to be borderline unplayable in OKC's biggest game of the year. The scoring numbers were gone. He couldn't even muster up a decent volume in a do-or-die scenario.

And then Holmgren's rim protection eroded as the series went on. The Spurs had little fear of going right at him by Game 7. Scrolling online reactions, feels like a lot of Thunder fans want him to be gone this summer — I hate to break it to you, but that isn't happening. Not out of pure spite, at least.

Criticize Holmgren all you want in this series. And he deserves most of it. But he was one of the NBA's 15 best players this season. He helped the Thunder become a 64-win team that was a win away from another NBA Finals trip. You just don't throw that away over one bad series — even with how ugly it got. Let's see how OKC responds this summer with its offseason moves, but expect it to tweak the cast instead of fundamentally changing things.

Cason Wallace: A

With the outside shot falling, Wallace was feeling himself. He went headfirst at the basket and kissed the ball off the glass for the impressive layup. The 22-year-old was the sole player who did enough to help Gilgeous-Alexander secure another Game 7 win.

Wallace finished with 17 points on 6-of-10 shooting, seven rebounds and four assists. He shot 5-of-9 from 3. He also had two steals and one block.

Give credit to Wallace, he showed out. An inconsistent regular season became a distant memory. If you were gonna rank everybody's Western Conference Finals from OKC's side, the 22-year-old has to be near the top of the list. Desperately needing some scoring, he provided it by knocking down his catch-and-shoot looks.

In the biggest dozen minutes of the season, Wallace scored an unreal 14 points in the final frame. The buckets were much-needed as Gilgeous-Alexander's meter was near empty. On defense, he showed why he was an All-Defense guy. A handful of steals helped fuel OKC's momentum. Even if it came in vain.

If you're looking for glass-half-full thoughts on this heartbreaker, Wallace's breakout is one of them. He's a gamer. And given the starting nod in a Game 7, I think the Thunder showed their hand a little in terms of how much they value him. Expect him to become a regular starter next season with Lu Dort's probable departure.

Alex Caruso: D

Well, Caruso's magic run finally ran out. The 32-year-old has built up a reputation for being a playoff riser. And while it's still warranted, that wasn't really there in this one. Like the rest of the Thunder's suited-up role players, most couldn't handle the intensity that a Game 7 came with.

Caruso finished with 12 points on 3-of-14 shooting, five rebounds and four assists. He shot 1-of-6 from 3 and went 5-of-6 on free throws. He also had one block.

Always juiced up for these high-intensity circumstances, perhaps Caruso was a little too amped up for his own good. That would at least explain why he missed so many bunnies around the rim. And why his outside jumper finally crashed back down to Earth after he flirted with being in the Western Conference Finals MVP conversation. He couldn't deliver the same hero-esque outings in this one.

Gilgeous-Alexander and Wallace had it going, but nobody else on the Thunder did. Meanwhile, the Spurs had seven folks score double-digit points. While Wembanyama struggled with foul trouble, the rest of their cast stepped up to get this resume-building road win. That was ultimately the difference between the two sides.

Ah well. Can't get too mad at Caruso. Or really, any of the other Thunder role players. They punched above their weight for most of the playoff series. But things eventually normalized at the worst time possible. Now, OKC will have the rest of the summer to wonder what-if regarding its bad health luck finally costing them in the end.

AC for 3️⃣ pic.twitter.com/WPCyB1yztx

— OKC THUNDER (@okcthunder) May 31, 2026

Highlights:

This article originally appeared on OKC Thunder Wire: Player grades: Thunder's season ends in 111-103 Game 7 loss to Spurs

Mark Daigneault admits Chet Holmgren's struggles were an overall team issue originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

While Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was playing out of his mind in Game 7, it was clear that he was struggling with his supporting cast. Since Ajay Mitchell and Jalen Williams were injured, Chet Holmgren was the player many people expected to step up.

Unfortunately for Holmgren and the Oklahoma City Thunder, he only scored four points while putting up only two shots. Considering he is an All-NBA player in the 2025-26 season, this was a disappointing performance.

Chet Holmgren's struggles were a team-wide issue

The San Antonio Spurs' Victor Wembanyama was the clear-cut best big man in the series. Considering he has a long-standing one-sided rivalry with Holmgren, it was clear that he was motivated to beat his counterpart.

Bizarrely, it seemed that Holmgren wanted no part of the budding rivalry between him and Wemby. The Spurs' superstar took advantage of this and cemented his spot as the best big man among them with his assertiveness.

MORE: Inside all of Chet Holmgren's struggles against the Spurs

Game 7 was Holmgren's worst performance, which led to people questioning his long-term fit with the Thunder. There were even questions directed at Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault about how he can get the most out of Holmgren, and he took accountability for not helping his player.

"Some of that is on me, some of that is the way we approach the game. That's not all on him, I thought he played his minutes well. That run at the end of the second quarter that got us back, he was a huge part of that in ways that aren't visible on the box score," Daigneault said after Game 7 about Holmgren's performance.

Unfortunately, this will be a series that Holmgren has to consider. He needs to redeem himself from this series, and that will require him to play much better against Wembanyama.

It was clear that he struggled in this series, and he was visibly distraught after Game 7. Moving forward, it will be up to the Thunder to maximize everyone on the roster, as this will probably be the first of many series between the two teams.

More NBA news:

• How the Spurs' Game 7 win further proves the NBA's success with parity
• The Spurs have reached their first NBA Finals since 2014
• Victor Wembanyama reveals why he was crying after Game 7
• Shai Gilgeous-Alexander will let Sam Presti do his thing in the offseason
• The media narrative around Shai Gilgeous-Alexander shows a big problem with the NBA

Portland Fire's Megan Gustafson embodies the story of a WNBA expansion team originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The WNBA's roster crunch every year is always a tough one. There are so many talented women's basketball players, but in what is still a relatively small professional league, some of them don't get much of a chance.

That's part of what makes expansion so special. Besides just bringing the sport to more cities, it also opens the doors to more players, like this season with the two new teams, the Portland Fire and Toronto Tempo.

On Saturday night, it was the Fire showing off what an expansion team can do, picking up a 100-84 win over the Indiana Fever and Caitlin Clark.

MORE: Paige Bueckers, Azzi Fudd share a viral video moment

And one of the key pickups, Megan Gustafson, pretty much stole the show.

"We're a bunch of overlooked players," Gustafson told reporters after the game, with tears in her eyes.

Her postgame interview came after a game-high 22 points. She shot a perfect 8-for-8 from the floor, including one 3-pointer, and was 5-for-6 from the line.

Gustafson added a single rebound and a single block in 28 minutes, and she was a plus-15.

"I've never really been respected as a basketball player until I've gotten here," Gustafson said afterward.

She was a college star at Iowa (in the pre-Clark days), but as a more traditional frontcourt player, she didn't necessarily fit the modern game.

She had to grind just to stay in the WNBA at all, and Portland marks the fifth team she's suiting up for in the league. 

Gustafson was given her first start of the season on Saturday, and only the 14th start of her career, and she didn't disappoint.

"I'm thankful for this team, this organization," she told reporters. "They believe in me."

Megan Gustafson gets emotional postgame talking about her place in Portland:

"We're a bunch of overlooked players... I've never really been respected as a basketball player until I've gotten here... I'm thankful for this team, this organization. They believe in me." pic.twitter.com/OEuLAkenb5

— Brenna Greene (@BrennaGreene_) May 31, 2026

MORE: Sophie Cunningham and Emily Engstler didn't hold back

The Fire are now 6-4, continuing to contend with strong opponents. And each night, it feels like it's someone different.

This is a talented group featuring players getting much more opportunity thanks to the WNBA expansion. They know what it's like to be doubted. Now, they're trying to make believers.

And with each passing night that the Portland Fire take the court, and players like Gustafson put on shows like this, it's easier and easier to believe.

More WNBA news:

• Cameron Brink's facemask is back
• Sophie Cunningham: 'I look like Harry Potter'
• Caitlin Clark's injury may trace to a dirty play in 2025
• Azzi Fudd ties Caitlin Clark record with incredible outburst
• Sky freed Kamilla Cardoso from Angel Reese, and they're being proven right

Fever's Caitlin Clark just played one of the worst games of her WNBA career originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

Caitlin Clark had herself a no good, very bad, awful, miserable, terrible Saturday night in Portland, Oregon.

The Indiana Fever were visiting the expansion Portland Fire, and it was the hosts coming away with a 100-84 win.

It was a brutal evening for Clark, who battled foul trouble and could never find a rhythm.

The superstar guard finished with just six points, shooting 1-for-7 from the floor and missing both her 3-point attempts.

It marks the second-lowest scoring total of Clark's career.

MORE: Paige Bueckers, Azzi Fudd share a viral video moment

She scored three points in her rookie season, and also had a six-point game in 2025.

This season, she had scored more than 15 points in every game prior to this one.

Clark did have six assists compared to just one turnover on Saturday night, which isn't bad, but she picked up five fouls and was a minus-8 in just 22 minutes.

The Fever, now 4-4, have had a rocky start to the campaign as their weirdly spaced out schedule hasn't helped matters, either.

The Fire, meanwhile, were playing the second night of a back-to-back. This should've been tougher for them than the Fever made it.

MORE: Sophie Cunningham and Emily Engstler didn't hold back

Indiana lost on Thursday night to the Golden State Valkyries, too, so the West Coast swing certainly didn't go as planned.

It's a long season, and there's time to bounce back. But this isn't a good stretch for the Fever as they try to find their footing, and Clark certainly didn't help matters in this one.

More WNBA news:

• Cameron Brink's facemask is back
• Sophie Cunningham: 'I look like Harry Potter'
• Caitlin Clark's injury may trace to a dirty play in 2025
• Azzi Fudd ties Caitlin Clark record with incredible outburst
• Sky freed Kamilla Cardoso from Angel Reese, and they're being proven right

How the Spurs vs Knicks rematch in the 2026 Finals validates the NBA Cup originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

Back in December 2025, the New York Knicks won the NBA Cup. They did so by beating the Western Conference's representative, the San Antonio Spurs. Back then, most people within the NBA world knew it was an elite matchup, but they didn't expect it to be an NBA Finals preview.

Now that the Spurs managed to usurp the defending champions, the Oklahoma City Thunder, the NBA Finals will be a rematch of the NBA Cup Final. 

The Knicks vs Spurs NBA Finals is a rematch of their NBA Cup Final

In a storyline right out of the soccer world, the cup tournament during the season has also led to some big-time matchups down the line. This time, the NBA will have the same two teams for the NBA Cup Final and the NBA Finals at the end of the Playoffs.

It is the first time this has happened, as only the Thunder reached the 2025 NBA Finals during the same season they were in the final game of the NBA Cup. Now, there is a chance that the Spurs can get their revenge against the Knicks.

MORE: Victor Wembanyama reveals why he was emotional after Game 7

Some people have thrown the idea around that the NBA Cup is a non-factor at the end of the season. Now, the two best teams from early in the season are now also the two best teams in the league after winning their respective Conference Finals series.

It is just further proof that NBA Commissioner Adam Silver hit the nail on the head with the in-season tournament. It was an unpopular idea for some parts of the NBA world, but it seems it is delivering Finals previews now.

Now that it has been confirmed, a lot of people will most likely respect the NBA Cup more. It might be early in the season, but it will be a good preview of what the rest of the season could look like.

More NBA news:

• How Victor Wembanyama's shoe size compares to the other giants across NBA history
• Draymond Green comes to Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's defense about "foul-baiting"
• A dive into what led to Chet Holmgren's struggles in the Western Conference Finals
• The Spurs are finally in the NBA Finals for the first time since 2014
• Why Jalen Williams was not present during Game 7 of the Western Conference Finals

Knicks vs. Spurs prediction, odds, schedule, keys to series for 2026 NBA Finals originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Knicks haven't been to the Finals since 1999 and haven't won it all since 1973. After a rocky start in the first round against the Hawks in which they lost two out of their first three games, they've been on one of the most dominant postseason runs of all time. They swept their opponents through the last two rounds and have won in blowouts nine times during their current 11-game winning streak. 

The Spurs beat that 1999 Knicks team in the Finals and have won four more championships since then, the most recent coming in 2014. They have the pedigree, and they will have the best player in this series in Victor Wembanyama. 

Despite their youth and a loss in this same matchup in the NBA Cup Finals, San Antonio will be favored in the betting markets. New York won't be a total walkover though. They have real avenues to pull off the upset due to some matchups in their favor. 

Here are the keys to the series and what I think will happen.

NBA PLAYOFFS HQ:Live NBA scores | NBA playoff schedule | NBA playoff bracket

Knicks vs. Spurs prediction

The Knicks look great now, but they've had periods during the regular season where they were very shaky. They've ironed out those kinks, playing more through Karl-Anthony Towns and getting much better defense out of him too. Coach Mike Brown seems to have finally figured out the balance between using Towns as a passing hub and utilizing Jalen Brunson's on-ball mastery. 

The Spurs pose a much bigger threat though than the Cavs, Sixers, and Hawks did. Wembanyama has been unstoppable, and nobody has been able to score when he's been in the paint.

The Knicks have unique personnel to combat the Spurs. Towns has been a much better decision-maker during these playoffs and his ability to shoot can drag Wembanyama away from the paint. The Spurs have generally opted to put smaller players on Towns and have Wembanyama guard a less threatening shooter. Towns will have to punish those smaller defenders in order for the Knicks to stand a chance.

Mitchell Robinson will also be a key to this series. Wembanyama has struggled with his strength and offensive rebounding prowess. 

OG Anunoby is the Knicks' last secret weapon. As pointed out by analyst Caitlin Cooper, nobody has guarded Wembanyama better than Anunoby. 

Despite those edges and the Knicks' dominance over the Spurs during the regular season, the Spurs are a better team on paper. They have pesky defensive guards who can slow down Jalen Brunson, and they have the best player on the planet in Wembanyama. 

Prediction: Spurs in seven

SN NBA AWARDS:POY (Victor Wembanyama)| ROY (Kon Knueppel) | COY (Joe Mazzulla)|All-NBA teams

Knicks vs. Spurs betting odds

Odds courtesy of BetMGM.

• Spurs -220, Knicks +180

The Spurs open as favorites to win the NBA Finals, but the Knicks aren't far behind. San Antonio is -220 to win its first title in 12 years, with New York available at +180 to pull off a mild upset.

Knicks vs. Spurs regular season series

The Knicks have the edge against the Spurs this season, beating them two out of three times. 

• December 16, 2025 (NBA Cup Final): Knicks 124, Spurs 113
• December 31, 2025: Spurs 134, Knicks 132
• March 1, 2026: Knicks 114, Spurs 89

These two teams first matched up in an entertaining NBA Cup Finals. Wembanyama played an emotional game after having learned earlier that his grandmother had passed away. He was returning from injury and limited to just 25 minutes and 18 points. 

The rematch came a few weeks later. Julian Champagnie exploded for a career-high 36 points and 11 3's. Wemby was again limited by an injury, scoring 31 points in 24 minutes before missing the last 11 minutes with a leg injury. 

The last of these games was a blowout. The Knicks snapped the Spurs' 11-game winning streak, helped by 25 points from Mikal Bridges, 24 from Brunson, and 14 points from reserve Mo Diawara off the bench. 

David Richard-Imagn Images

Knicks vs. Spurs key storylines

How effective can OG Anunoby be on Victor Wembanyama? 

Anunoby is probably going to get the primary matchup on Wembanyama. Per the league's tracking data, Wemby is only 5-of-16 from the field when Anunoby has guarded him throughout his career. Most of those attempts have been from 3, where Wemby is just 1-of-8. 

Anunoby has generally done an excellent job of keeping Wembanyama out of the paint, using his physicality and lower center of gravity. That also allows the Knicks to bring help with their centers, which has become one of the more common ways to try and slow Wemby down. 

When Wembanyama catches the ball close to the basket, the Spurs have been a different type of team. His height is pretty much unstoppable when he gets near the rim. When he's been pushed away from the paint, he's been far less effective. Anunoby will have to toe the line between what is and isn't called as a foul. 

How much damage can Mitchell Robinson do?

Robinson was the X-factor in the NBA Cup Finals, grabbing 10 offensive rebounds in just 18 minutes of play. He's a much better defender and rim protector than Towns, who to his credit has also been improved on that end of the floor during the team's playoff run. 

The Knicks are going to need Robinson to step up again, but it's unclear what they will get out of him. He broke the pinky finger in his shooting hand and had surgery on it right before the start of the Finals. Even more concerning is that he's been largely ineffective in the playoffs due to his ghastly 30.2 percent from the line. Teams have become much more aggressive about intentionally fouling him, and he's wilted under the increased pressure of the playoffs. 

When Robinson is hitting his free throws, his rebounding and rim protection is impactful enough to neutralize Wembanyama, who is too skinny to keep him off the glass. He can be a serious problem or a nonfactor, depending on if he can get rid of his demons at the line. 

Which version of Josh Hart do the Knicks get? 

Hart has looked unplayable at times and been the reason for wins at others. His all-around hustle, physicality, and playmaking should translate well against a Spurs defense where every edge has to be fought over, but his shot will be his most important skill. 

Hart's 3-pointer comes and goes. He's hit on just 30.3 percent of those looks in the playoffs. Wembanyama is probably going to be guarding him and sagging way off him, conceding those open looks. If Hart drains the open ones, as he did during the regular season where he was a much better 41.3 percent from deep, then that strategy no longer becomes viable. If he continues to struggle, then the Knicks won't be able to score effectively with Wemby camped out in the paint. 

Knicks vs. Spurs schedule

* If necessary

How Spurs' Game 7 win over Thunder extends NBA's historic streak of parity originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

Another NBA season, another new champion.

In the modern era of professional sports in North American, competitive balance and the idea of "parity" — essentially meaning that as many teams as possible have a realistic shot at championship contention — has become a hot topic. The NFL has often been an ideal example, with many teams going from bad-to-good each year, while MLB's upcoming labor battle also is centered around a debate over payroll and how it impacts competitive balance.

But over in the NBA, there has never been more parity.

With the San Antonio Spurs taking down the defending champion Thunder in Game 7 of the Western Conference Finals, there will officially be yet another new team hoisting the Larry O'Brien Trophy in 2026, extending the league's streak of differing champions.

Here's a look at the NBA's now-eight different champions in eight years, regardless of the results from Knicks vs. Spurs in the Finals.

NBA PLAYOFFS HQ:Live NBA scores | NBA playoff schedule | NBA playoff bracket

NBA champions since 2019

• 2019: Raptors
• 2020: Lakers
• 2021: Bucks
• 2022: Warriors
• 2023: Nuggets
• 2024: Celtics
• 2025: Thunder
• 2026: TBD (Knicks or Spurs)

In many ways, the results of the 2010s era of the NBA has shaped the 2020s. In the previous decade, Finals matchups may have been a bit more predictable — LeBron James-led teams made the Finals in eight-straight years from 2011-18, the Spurs reached the stage twice, and the Warriors shook the league's landscape by making five NBA Finals appearances while winning three.

However, since the 2018 iteration of Warriors vs. Cavaliers — which was the fourth-straight year of those teams facing off in the Finals — a new team has won it all.

The trend began with Kawhi Leonard's dominant 2019 postseason, as Toronto took down Golden State in the Finals following Kevin Durant and Klay Thompson injuries. The Warriors' fate was altered from there with Durant's departure — and after the Lakers hoisted the 2020 NBA title in the Orlando bubble, even James hasn't been able to overcome the NBA's parity.

Giannis Antetokounmpo, Stephen Curry, Nikola Jokic, Jayson Tatum and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander have all guided their teams to a title in the 2020s, with only Curry being a multi-time champion.

Now, either Jalen Brunson or Victor Wembanyama will join them. The 2026 NBA Finals will mark the eighth-straight year of a new champion when either the Spurs or Knicks finish the job.

MORE: Knicks vs. Spurs predictions, odds, schedule and more

NBA teams with Finals appearances since 2019

• Warriors (2)
• Celtics (2)
• Heat (2)
• Raptors
• Lakers
• Suns
• Bucks
• Nuggets
• Mavericks
• Thunder
• Pacers
• Knicks
• Spurs

The NBA's parity only grows clearer when examining the teams to reach the Finals since 2019. Only three squads have made it to the Finals twice — the Warriors lost in 2019, then won in 2022. That's the year the Celtics lost, but Boston bounced back with a championship in 2024. Unfortunately for the Heat, both of their Finals appearances behind Jimmy Butler (2020, 2023) ended in losses.

Overall, since 2019, 13 of the 30 NBA teams (43.3% of the league) have reached the Finals at least once, with the Spurs and Knicks now added to that list.

MORE: Watch as Victor Wembanyama gets emotional after clinching first Finals appearance

When was the last back-to-back NBA champion?

For most of the 2025-26 season, it appeared the Thunder were poised to make a push for a second-straight title. After winning 68 regular season games, Oklahoma City opened the postseason on a dominant run — but winning consecutive championships in the modern NBA is looking more difficult by the year.

The last time a team went back-to-back was the 2017 and 2018 Warriors, who dismantled James' Cavaliers in both Finals thanks to their historic core-four of Curry, Durant, Thompson and Draymond Green. Durant won both Finals MVP awards.

Prior to those Warriors, the 2011 and 2012 Heat were the last team to go back-to-back. 

MORE: Inside Chet Holmgren's struggles vs. Spurs in WCF

Victor Wembanyama breaks down in tears after Spurs' Game 7 win over Thunder originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

Crying is incredibly good for the human body, according to Harvard Health; it can relieve stress and tension that have been building up inside of someone. For Victor Wembanyama, it was a means of celebration after a chaotic and immensely stressful experience in the Western Conference Finals.

After the San Antonio Spurs were finally able to down the 2025 NBA champion Oklahoma City Thunder on their own home court, Wembanyama could finally breathe a sigh of relief. Along with taking the time to embrace his San Antonio teammates, he let out a few tears and took the time to get in touch with his emotions.

The 22-year-old let out some tears while embracing a number of his teammates. It was for good reason, though, as in just his third season in the NBA, he will already have an NBA Finals appearance.

Here's how the French youngster reacted after leading his team through a crazy Western Conference Finals finale.

NBA PLAYOFFS HQ:Live NBA scores | NBA playoff schedule | NBA playoff bracket

Victor Wembanyama cries after Game 7

Despite an up-and-down battle with the defending champion Thunder, Wembanyama and his crew were able to traverse through the hostile Oklahoma environment and reach the team's first NBA Finals since 2014. The third-year player from France was clearly emotional after his first Western Conference Finals appearance. However, his 2026 campaign is not over just yet.

Here is the finishing sequence of a tumultuous Game 7 and Western Conference Finals, and how Wembanyama reacted to his team reaching the grand stage of the NBA in just his third year in the league.

FULL SEQUENCE

Victor Wembanyama breaks down in tears as the Spurs take down the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 7 and punch their ticket to the NBA Finals.

THE FINAL MOMENTS OF GAME 7.

THE SPURS WILL NOW FACE THE KNICKS IN THE 2026 NBA FINALS.pic.twitter.com/SfgJiAKmcL

— Ahmed/The Ears/IG: BigBizTheGod 🇸🇴 (@big_business_) May 31, 2026

After Devin Vassell threw down a massive dunk as the last points of the conference finals, Wembanyama almost immediately went to embrace his teammates. He started with De'Aaron Fox, who had missed the first two games of this series with a right ankle injury, followed by Stephon Castle.

What followed was a group hug with several of his teammates.

Earlier in the playoffs, Wembanyama opened up about wearing his emotions on his sleeve. "Personally, I refuse to carry the burden of having to hide my emotions," he told reporters.

The young Spurs team has shown to be a tight-knit group, and that brotherhood will be put on a larger scale now that Mitch Johnson's crew will be playing in this year's NBA Finals.

Along with the wide array of hugs given to his San Antonio teammates, Wembanyama embraced his father on the Paycom Center floor after Game 7 had concluded.

Victor Wembanyama embraces his father Felix after the @spurs clinch their spot in the 2026 NBA Finals ❤️ pic.twitter.com/c5LWy5v74A

— NBA (@NBA) May 31, 2026

According to Wembanyama's postgame press conference, he wants to win these Finals more than anything.

"It's like my life depends on it," he said.

Wemby isn't satisfied yet 👀 pic.twitter.com/JGigXspQml

— ESPN (@espn) May 31, 2026

MORE: Knicks-Spurs predictions, odds, keys to victory for 2026 NBA Finals

With Stephen Curry sidelined for 39 games with a knee injury, backup point guard Pat Spencer stepped in and had a breakout season. After playing in 45 total games in his first two seasons combined, Spencer became a staple in Steve Kerr's rotation, appearing in 66 of 82 games, averaging 18.6 minutes per game.

Although Spencer couldn't quite fill the shoes of Curry, his progress as a role player was encouraging. Spencer averaged career highs in points (7.2), rebounds (2.4), assists (3.5) and steals (0.7). The third-year guard also shot a career-best 35.7% from beyond the arc after converting on just 20.8% of attempts in his first two seasons. Spencer's size (6'2") can be taken advantage of at times on the defensive end, but his high basketball intelligence makes him a great addition to Golden State's second unit. Like many Warriors, Spencer will be a free agent (restricted) this summer.

Overall grade: B+

This article originally appeared on Warriors Wire: Warriors 2025-26 player grades: Pat Spencer

Who is Julian Champagnie? Meet undrafted forward who became Spurs' unlikely playoff hero originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The San Antonio Spurs are unquestionably Victor Wembanyama's team, but it takes more than a team of one to compete for a championship.

The Spurs have built a talented core around their young star, including high lottery picks Stephon Castle and Dylan Harper, but one of their most essential pieces didn't even get a look when he entered the NBA Draft.

Julian Champagnie has been a frequent savior for the Spurs in these playoffs, and he proved pivotal again Saturday night when he started 5-of-6 from 3-point range in Game 7 of the Western Conference Finals.

Here's what you need to know about Champagnie as he breaks through for the Spurs.

NBA PLAYOFFS HQ:Live NBA scores | NBA playoff schedule | NBA playoff bracket

Who is Julian Champagnie?

Champagnie grew up in the New York basketball scene, as he was born on Staten Island and played his high school basketball at Bishop Loughlin in Brooklyn. Despite impressing on some disappointing St. John's teams, Champagnie went undrafted out of college and didn't get his start in San Antonio.

The Philadelphia 76ers instead signed Champagnie to a two-way deal after the 2022 draft, but he appeared in only two games with the Sixers before being waived to make room for Mac McClung ahead of the Slam Dunk Contest.

The Spurs, mired in a rebuild and aiming for the chance to draft Wembanyama, picked up Champagnie two days later and gave him some run with playoff contention nowhere near realistic. Champagnie used that opportunity to earn his way onto the 2023-24 roster, and he has grown alongside Wembanyama and the rest of San Antonio's core to help turn the franchise into a legitimate championship contender sooner than anyone expected.

Champagnie started 68 of 82 games this past season, averaging a career-high 11.1 points per game, and he hasn't missed a single game over his last two seasons.

MORE:How Victor Wembanyama's shoe size compares to Yao Ming, more

Where did Julian Champagnie go to college?

Champagnie spent three seasons at St. John's under coach Mike Anderson, averaging 19.8 points and 7.4 rebounds per game as a sophomore before withdrawing from the NBA Draft and returning to average 19.2 points and 6.6 rebounds per game as a junior in 2021-22. 

Despite Champagnie's offensive success, the Red Storm never reached the NCAA Tournament during his time with the program.

Julian Champagnie brother

Champagnie is one of two brothers in the NBA, as his twin brother, Justin, has also carved out a nice career for himself despite going undrafted.

Justin started out with the Toronto Raptors but has settled in nicely with the Washington Wizards, averaging 8.7 points and 5.6 rebounds per game over the last two seasons while playing more than 20 minutes per night.

Justin didn't follow his brother in the college ranks, as he spent his college days at Pittsburgh and entered the NBA after averaging 18.0 points and 11.1 rebounds per game in his sophomore season.

MORE: Meet Victor Wembanyama's family, including younger brother Oscar

Julian Champagnie stats

Champagnie averaged career-highs in points, rebounds and assists in 2025-26, playing all 82 games for the second consecutive season and shooting better than 38 percent from 3-point range.

NBC returned to televising NBA games this season for the first time since 2002, and Sunday night’s Game 7 of the Western Conference Finals between the San Antonio Spurs and Oklahoma City Thunder marks NBC’s final broadcast of the 2025-26 campaign.

To open the NBA on NBC broadcast, Game 7 play-by-play announcer Mike Tirico — and recent Emmy winner — narrated a video highlight montage before the sounds of John Tesh’s “Roundball Rock” led NBC viewers into the scene at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City.

Mike Tirico leads the Spurs-Thunder Game 7 open into “Roundball Rock” for NBC. #NBApic.twitter.com/3cBysNJaHf

— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) May 31, 2026

“For eight months and nearly 100 nights, they do the same. They show up to play a game. But tonight is not like the other nights. This is the night you work for when no one else is watching. Tonight, the basketball world is watching to see the next Game Seven moment. So, whose night is it? The back-to-back MVP, stifled in this series, but one last chance to carry his championship club. Or, the one-of-a-kind star from France. At 22, heralded as the future face of the league. But is it his time yet? Someone walks out tonight with their mark on NBA history. This is your one night. You have one shot at Game Seven of the Western Conference Finals.”

That surely reminds plenty of viewers of Bob Costas and “Roundball Rock” opening NBA playoff broadcasts in the 1990s and early 2000s.

And speaking of Costas, he also narrated a montage for NBC’s coverage of the game.

BOB COSTAS GETS US READY FOR SPURS-THUNDER GAME 7!

NBC and Peacock pic.twitter.com/FjO6KtFXui

— NBA on NBC and Peacock (@NBAonNBC) May 30, 2026

“Game Seven. The game that is always decisive. And nearly always dramatic. Throughout the long season, it’s been clear that the two best teams in the NBA’s Western Conference are the Thunder and the Spurs. The two best teams, led by two of the game’s best and most distinctive stars. The back-to-back MVP intent on leading his team to back-to-back titles. And the otherworldly talent intent on taking the storied franchise back to the Finals for the first time in more than a decade. Between them, the Thunder and Spurs have played nearly 200 games this season. And now, it comes down to just one game. One game, Game Seven, on NBC.”

NBC has long been praised for making big events feel even bigger, and the network delivered again for this one.

The post Mike Tirico leads Spurs-Thunder Game 7 open into ‘Roundball Rock’ for NBC appeared first on Awful Announcing.

The Western Conference Finals reached the ultimate situation in sports: a Game 7 to decide the winner of the San Antonio Spurs and Oklahoma City Thunder series.

After an epic double-overtime clash in Game 1, OKC won two straight to regain the series. Since then, it’s gone back and forth between these two rival squads, with blowouts at both teams’ home venues.

That meant a fierce battle was on the way to determine which of these teams would face the New York Knicks in the NBA Finals, and in the first half, the Spurs came out hot.

Tempers almost flared at one moment, as Stephon Castle had a fast break opportunity. OKC’s Alex Caruso was chasing him down and delivered a hard foul to prevent the hoop.

More news:Knicks’ Josh Hart Sends Cryptic Message Ahead of Spurs-Thunder Game 7

It also brought Castle down to the court, and the Spurs star immediately seemed upset over what occurred. His teammate Dylan Harper quickly got on the court behind him and sat with him, hugging him from behind to prevent Castle from exploding at the refs or opposing players.

The referees huddled to review the play, but determined it was a common foul on Caruso. However, once video clips began circulating on social media, fans reacted strongly to what transpired.

“Caruso literally dragged Castle to the floor while he was in the air and they didn’t call flagrant,” someone commented.

“3rd time this series and 2nd time it was Caruso. Should have been a flagrant both times and wasn’t either,” another commenter said.

“Threw him down not making a play on the ball… Can somebody explain HOW this wasn’t a flagrant ?” someone commented on a different X post.

Others commented, “Winds up, hits arm, and pulls him down. How is that not even a flagrant 1????” and “how this isn’t a flagrant is pretty funny to me.”

After the refs reviewed the play, they awarded Castle two free throws for Caruso’s hard foul in Game 7.

Earlier in the series, tempers flared when Castle got taken down on several fastbreak plays. On one of them, he popped up looking ready to fight, but nearby arena security came over from courtside to help try to restrain him.

At halftime, the San Antonio Spurs held a 56-53 lead in what looked to be an exciting fight to the finish to determine which team would go to the NBA Finals.

More news:Mavericks’ Kyrie Irving Gets Honest on Seeing Knicks Reach NBA Finals

For more about the NBA, head over to Newsweek Sports.

The Golden State Warriors have put together their teams through a variety of ways over the years, yet few approaches have proven as successful as the NBA draft. More than anything else, the most talented players to represent the Warriors have arrived in Golden State either by being selected directly in the annual draft or through trades executed on that same night.

The Golden State Warriors have taken many of their top stars through the draft, but have also landed a number of notable players over the years as well. From tiny colleges to blue blood programs, these alumni have contributed significantly to the team's roster over the years. So, we chose to take a closer look at which Dubs came from which schools over the years.

So without further ado, let's take a look at every player who has been drafted by the Warriors out of Idaho.

Chuck White - forward

Draft year and position: ninth round (third pick, 71st overall), 1963 NBA Draft

Seasons at Idaho: three

Seasons played with Warriors: did not make the team

All stats and data courtesy of Basketball Reference.

This article originally appeared on Celtics Wire: Every Idaho player drafted by the Warriors

The Brooklyn Nets have developed their teams through a number of strategies over the decades, and their front office has put together considerable success through the NBA draft. Many of the franchise's best players have joined the Nets either by being selected directly in the annual draft or through trades made on that day.

Moreover, it is not only the star players who have been acquired by the Nets through the draft. Several prominent alumni have been selected by the team each offseason during this annual event, with certain colleges being more prominently represented than others. An analysis of the players from different schools reveals that both prestigious programs and smaller institutions have contributed top talent to the Nets' roster over the years.

So without further ado, let's take a look at every player who has been drafted by the Nets out of Louisiana.

George Almones - guard

Draft year and position: sixth round (14th pick, 130th overall), 1985 NBA Draft

Seasons at Louisiana: three

Seasons played with Nets: did not make the team

All stats and data courtesy of Basketball Reference.

This article originally appeared on Nets Wire: Every Louisiana player drafted by the Nets

The Houston Rockets have had players donning a total of 52 different jersey numbers (and have one not part of any numerical series for Houston assistant coach and general manager Carroll Dawson) since their founding at the start of the 1967-68 season, worn by just under 500 players in the course of Rockets history.

To honor all of the players who wore those numbers over the decades, Rockets Wire is covering the entire history of jersey numbers and the players who wore them since the founding of the team all those years ago right up to the present day.

With seven of those jerseys now retired to honor some of the greatest Rockets of all time to wear those jerseys, there is a lot of history to cover.

And for today's article, we will continue with the 14th of 16 who wore the No. 15, big man alum DeMarcus Cousins. After ending his college career at Kentucky, Cousins was picked up with the fifth overall selection of the 2010 NBA Draft by the Sacramento Kings.

The Mobile, Alabama native played the first seven seasons of his pro career with Sacramento, coming to an end when he was dealt to the New Orleans Pelicans in 2017. He also played for the Golden State Warriors before he signed with the Houston Rockets in 2020. His stay with the team lasted until he was cut in 2021.

During his time suiting up for the Rockets, Cousins wore only jersey No. 15 and put up 9.6 points, 7.6 rebounds, and 2.4 assists per game.

All stats and data courtesy of Basketball Reference.

This article originally appeared on Rockets Wire: Rockets jersey history No. 15 - DeMarcus Cousins (2020-21)

Entering his third NBA season with the Houston Rockets, 23-year-old Amen Thompson hoped to improve on a sophomore season that saw him finish fifth in Defensive Player of the Year voting. The former No. 4 overall pick showcased his durability, playing in a career-best 79 games, all of which were starts.

In those starts, Thompson averaged 37.4 minutes per game, tallying a career-high 18.3 points per game to go along with 7.8 rebounds, 5.3 assists, 1.5 steals and 0.6 blocks. While Thompson's blocks per game total was cut in half, this was due in large part to his shift from small forward to point guard. Unfortunately for Thompson, this likely cost him his second consecutive All-Defensive Team selection. The California native did the best he could at the new position, but it's clear that an off-ball position would suit him best. Possessing arguably the most athleticism in the NBA, Thompson used it to his advantage, increasing his scoring total by over four points per game. That said, Thompson's future development from beyond the arc will truly make him an unstoppable force. Thompson shot an abysmal 21.6% from deep, even worse than his 27.5% mark last year. Entering the final year of his rookie deal this winter, Houston will likely begin extension negotiations with Thompson this summer.

Overall grade: A

This article originally appeared on Rockets Wire: Rockets 2025-26 player grades: Amen Thompson

Spurs vs Thunder live box score: Full stats from NBA Playoffs Western Conference Finals Game 7 originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Western Conference Finals will come down to a winner take all Game 7. This entertaining series has been an example of the pendulum effect. Not one of these games have been objectively "close". Games 1 and 2 were won by seven and nine points respectively. However, the other four games have been decided by 13-to-27-point margins. 

For the Spurs, the blueprint is simple. When Victor Wembanyama scores 20 points and gets double digit rebounds and is a presence defensively, they win. Stephon Castle and Devin Vassell doing an admirable job defending Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is a welcomed bonus, especially in the last two games. 

Oklahoma City however, has won three games in this series without a 'good' performance from SGA. Even after wins, SGA has admitted he has not yet had a good game in this series. In Game 6, he finished with 15 points on 33% from the field; his worst scoring game all season. Even after a 32 point, 9 assist performance in Game 5, SGA called it maybe his worst start to a game in his career. 

The Thunder have been a presumptive favorite to represent the West in the NBA Finals since before the playoffs began. A loss before the NBA Finals would be deemed an upset. Even though the Spurs have only two less wins on the season. A win tonight would also put the potential future face of the League (Wembanyama) in his first NBA Finals of his young career. 

Spurs vs. Thunder Western Conference Finals Game 7 Box Score

San Antonio Spurs

Oklahoma City Thunder

WATCH:Stream Thunder vs. Spurs Game 7 with Peacock

More NBA Playoff news:

• San Antonio has best NBA Playoff win since 1983
• 10,170 days: Spurs vs. Thunder Western Conference Finals is a generational NBA Playoff series
• Spurs vs. Thunder: 2026 NBA Western Conference Finals schedule announced
• Full stats from NBA Playoffs Western Conference Finals Game 1
• Spurs vs. Thunder final score, results: Victor Wembanyama goes off with 41 points, 24 rebounds in 2OT thriller

The media’s argument on Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is really trying to say what no one wants to say originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

Nobody liked watching Floyd Mayweather Jr fight; he was never entertaining.

That was not a jab at him. Just a fact.

Mayweather built a style so technically precise, so frustratingly effective, and so completely within the rules that opponents spent entire fights swinging at air while he walked away undefeated.

People called it boring. They called it soft. They called it everything except what it actually was: the most dominant strategic execution the sport had ever seen. In the NBA, you have Shai Gilgeous-Alexander doing the same thing, only falling down. A lot. 

You all are missing the flopping point

The conversation dominating the league right now is about flopping and how do you beat it? And is it fun to watch? Videos circulate daily of SGA falling over or grabbing players' arms and hitting himself. Fans were furious over it, and Jay Williams walked off the set after Michael Wilbon said: “There will be kids out on the playground learning how to flop.”

The debate has swallowed the sport as a whole during its most important games of the year. But underneath all of that is something few have spoken about: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has mastered the rules of basketball so completely that the only way to discuss him anymore is to argue about whether the rules themselves are fair.

That is the Mayweather problem boxing had. Nobody accused Floyd of breaking the rules. They accused the rules of being broken because he understood them better than everyone else.

In truth, the NBA cannot fix flopping from the floor in real time. That falls on referees making split-second decisions at full speed, and no referee on the planet is going to be perfect at it. What the league can do is review film after the fact and issue fines when a flop is obvious enough to be indefensible. But enforcing that consistently across a full season? And then a postseason? That is a logistical nightmare that never ends cleanly. Good players will adapt, and someone will come along and find the next mechanic, and we will be having this exact same conversation about a different name.

There is history here, and the NBA could be doomed to repeat it

The NBA has always lived with players who exploit what the rulebook allows. Michael Jordan was the Muhammad Ali of the sport, unbeatable, the only guy who you have to have on every GOAT discussion. His fanbase is wild.

Then there are LeBron and Kobe, who are the George Foremans and Mike Tysons. SGA is really Mayweather, technically flawless to a point it can be uncomfortable to watch because of how he wins, even when the winning itself is undeniable.

That made boxing boring to watch, and that made ratings drop because it was predictable. That could happen to the NBA if the Thunder continue their dominance. But again, it’s not that they’re winning that is the problem; it’s how they’re doing it.

So before everyone labels SGA the most hated player in the NBA, consider that he would be in the conversation for back-to-back Finals MVPs. That is something that has not been done since LeBron James in 2012 and 2013 and Michael Jordan in 1991 and 1992. That is the company we are being asked to dismiss because the flopping is annoying.

SGA may not be winning the way you like to win. But he is winning.

If the Thunder go to the Finals, the league gets the matchup it secretly wants and could take care of a problem all without having to do anything.

Against Jalen Brunson and a Knicks team built entirely on chemistry, sacrifice and doing things the right way. New York did not get here because of one transcendent talent exploiting the rulebook. They got here because five guys who have known each other for years decided that the whole was worth more than any one of them individually.

There is something almost poetic about it. The most technically manipulative player in the sport going up against the most fundamentally pure team in the sport. You cannot manufacture that kind of narrative. Either who I call “Flop Vader” wins the finals and the NBA explodes, or Brunson and company go Knicks-ing nuts, and New York finally gets its championship on the back of a point guard who was never supposed to be good enough.

The NBA should be so lucky.

For whoever comes out of the West tonight, whether it is San Antonio pulling off a stunner or Oklahoma City doing what most people expect, the Knicks will be waiting. Ready to face whoever.

After the Philadelphia 76ers hired a new President of Basketball Operations in the form of Mike Gansey, they now have to figure out what they're going to do with some important free agents.

The free agency period will begin on June 30 at 6 p.m. EDT, but the Sixers can begin negotiating with their own free agents once the finals end. That means Gansey and Co. will be able to work with guys like Quentin Grimes, for example, to figure out the best move for each side.

Grimes, of course, had a long 2025 summer as a restricted free agent. He was looking for a bigger deal in the ballpark of $20-30 million, but when no offers surfaced, he returned to the Sixers on the $8.7 million qualifying offer. He then went on to average 13.4 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 3.3 assists while shooting 33.4% from deep in 75 games. He started only 19 of the 75 as he embraced his role of coming off the bench.

His impact tailed off a bit in the playoffs as he took only 5.3 shots per game compared to 10.1 in the regular season and averaged 6.7 points. He did shoot 40% from deep in the playoffs, but on only 3.2 attempts. He was unable to crack double figures in scoring in nine of the 11 playoff games with his best performance coming in Game 5 against the Boston Celtics when he had 18 off the bench.

This begs the question: What should the Sixers do with Grimes? After trading away Jared McCain at the deadline, it would be a bit of a disappointment to let Grimes walk, so Philadelphia should hold him in high priority, while also considering he will likely be looking for a deal somewhere around $15 million per year. That isn't outrageous when considering he was a consistent double-figure scorer off the bench all season long and has the ability to do a variety of things on both ends.

Unless the Sixers have some backup plan in mind, whether that's through the draft or in free agency, then Grimes should be in a Philadelphia uniform come opening night in 2026-27. He is too valuable on both ends of the floor as he can be somebody who the Sixers rely on to give them an offensive threat while also being helpful on the defensive end.

This article originally appeared on Sixers Wire: What should Sixers do with Quentin Grimes in upcoming free agency?

HARTFORD, CT — Brittney Griner became the 18th player in WNBA history to score 6,000 career points on a 4-foot turnaround jumper for the Connecticut Sun on Saturday, May 30 at PeoplesBank Arena.

Griner, who joined the Sun on a one-year, $1.19 million contract this year, played the first 11 seasons of her career with the Phoenix Mercury before going to the Atlanta Dream last year. She was selected No. 1 by the Mercury in the 2013 WNBA Draft.

Griner returned to the Sun lineup for the first time since the team's opener sitting on 5,999 career points. She has been sidelined with a rib injury. She was hit in the left eye by Erica Wheeler with 10.4 seconds left in the first half and briefly left the floor to go back to the locker room. When the foul was upgraded to a Flagrant 1, Griner came back to shoot the free throws and made both.

6k points with PLENTY more on the way‼️

Brittney Griner surpassed 6,000 career points during tonight’s game, solidifying her place among the league’s most dominant scorers, continuing to add to an already impressive legacy!#GetClose | #CTSunpic.twitter.com/zYmZ0hhwXQ

— Connecticut Sun (@ConnecticutSun) May 30, 2026

The 35-year-old center is playing in Connecticut before the Sun move to Griner's hometown of Houston next season. A 10-time All-Star, she won a championship with the Mercury and is a two-time Defensive Player of the Year. The 6-foot-9 center has averaged 16.8 points, 7.1 rebounds and 2.4 blocks over her storied career.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Brittney Griner becomes 18th player to score 6,000 career points in WNBA history

Joel Lorenzi: Mark Daigneault says Jalen Williams didn’t suffer any setback in Game 6, but acknowledges that he didn’t undergo the normal return-to-play procedure leading into his return. Says “all the stakeholders” huddled before the game before he gave it a go, and did the same afterward. Says Williams actually felt good after Game 6 relative to his recovery. Notes that if OKC should advance, he’ll continue his rehab and they’ll move forward with the same process.

x.com

This article originally appeared on Hoops Hype: Jalen Williams finished Game 6 without any setbacks

Tom Petrini: Asked Mitch Johnson how he’s feeling for Game 7 “Stomach's a little empty, and head feels clear. Hopefully we can drink enough water and breathe slowly and enjoy it, and have some fun, and go get out there and compete our butts off.” He also spoke on G7 experience and advice:

x.com

This article originally appeared on Hoops Hype: “Stomach's a little empty, and head feels clear. …

Joel Lorenzi: Mark Daigneault: “At the end of the day, there’s no player I'd rather have on the team than Shai Gilgeous-Alexander in Game 7 in the Western Conference finals.”

x.com

This article originally appeared on Hoops Hype: “At the end of the day, there’s no player I'd rather …

Tom Orsborn: Mitch on how he and his staff have approached things since end of Game 6: “I think we've handled it appropriately. Played this team a lot this year and recently, so a lot of attention to detail, but not a whole lot of new for the most part, at least on the surface level.”

x.com

This article originally appeared on Hoops Hype: Played this team a lot this year and recently, so a …

Potential No. 1 overall pick AJ Dybantsa reportedly plans to work out with two teams ahead of the 2026 NBA draft, according to Krysten Peek of Hoops HQ.

Dybantsa was a consensus first-team All-American, averaging 25.5 points, 6.8 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 1.1 steals while shooting 33.1% from 3-point range. He led the country in scoring after totaling 894 points, the third-most by a freshman in history.

The 6-foot-9 forward is currently set to visit only the Washington Wizards and Utah Jazz, who have the first two picks on June 23. He and Kansas guard Darryn Peterson are expected to be the first two players off the board, making it only necessary to schedule two workouts.

Leading up to the draft, Dybantsa plans to only work out and meet with the Wizards and Jazz. He led the nation in scoring at BYU, and what he does with his size and length on the perimeter makes him a safer pick than Peterson.

Dybantsa broke 19 freshman program records last season, including the single-game scoring mark with a 43-point performance on Jan. 24 in a win over Utah. He also finished as one of two players in Big 12 history to register a 30-point triple-double.

The 19-year-old is highly regarded because of his physical tools, athleticism and ability to seemingly score at will from everywhere on the floor. He showcased his athleticism earlier this month at the combine, recording a 42-inch max vertical jump, the fourth-highest mark.

Dybantsa entered the season as the front-runner to be the No. 1 overall pick, and he lived up to expectations after leading the Cougars to the NCAA Tournament. He is credited with having one of the best one-and-done years in history.

This article originally appeared on Rookie Wire: Rumor: AJ Dybantsa plans to work out with 2 teams before NBA draft

With the NBA draft right around the corner, now is the time to look at some past drafts and see what the Philadelphia 76ers have done in their history. The Sixers have selected some big-time players in the past who have become an important part of the fabric of the franchise's history.

After a tough Round 1 playoff loss to the Orlando Magic in 2009, the Sixers held the No. 17 pick in the draft. Looking to continue to grow their young core, Philadelphia selected Jrue Holiday out of UCLA and brought him to the City of Brotherly Love.

The young guard contributed right away as he started 51 games as a rookie averaging 8.0 points and 3.8 assists while shooting 39% from deep. He then helped the Sixers make the playoffs in 2011 and was a leader for the 2012 squad that upset the Chicago Bulls in Round 1.

Holiday was named an All-Star in the 2012-13 season when he averaged 17.7 points, 8.0 assists, 4.2 rebounds, and 1.6 steals. He began to establish himself as one of the better defensive players in the league.

The Sixers then began "The Process" era in the 2013 offseason by sending Holiday to the New Orleans Pelicans in exchange for the No. 6 pick which became Nerlens Noel.

After seven seasons in New Orleans, Holiday was sent to the Milwaukee Bucks where he won the title in 2021, then won a title with the Boston Celtics in 2024, and is now leading a revival with the Portland Trail Blazers as he helped them make the playoffs for the first time since 2021.

This article originally appeared on Sixers Wire: Philadelphia 76ers draft rewind: Selecting Jrue Holiday in 2009

The Oklahoma City Thunder and San Antonio Spurs are gearing up for what should be an epic Game 7 showdown on Saturday night in the Western Conference Finals.

For Oklahoma City, however, they’ll be without former All-Star guard Jalen Williams, who continues to battle a lingering hamstring injury that has sidelined him for multiple games during both the regular season and postseason.

Williams suited up for Game 5 but logged just 10 minutes off the bench and was clearly limited, finishing with one point while attempting only one shot.

Following Saturday morning’s shootaround, Thunder veteran Alex Caruso, who has stepped up in a major way throughout the series, addressed Williams’ absence.

“It sucks. Obviously, we’re a better team when he’s playing,” Caruso said. “I think the awards and accolades he has achieved in his young career so far kind of speak to that.”

More news:Draymond Green Praises Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Amid Flopping Criticism

More news: Alex Caruso Sends Clear Message Ahead of Game 7 vs Spurs

Caruso has scored 15 or more points in four of the six games in this series, providing a significant boost offensively for the Oklahoma City Thunder.

With both Williams and Ajay Mitchell sidelined by injuries, Caruso, along with Jared McCain and Cason Wallace, will need to provide additional offensive production if Oklahoma City hopes to reach the NBA Finals for the second straight season, where the New York Knicks await the Western Conference champion.

More news: Draymond Green Praises Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Amid Flopping Criticism

Saturday night marks a well-anticipated Western Conference Finals Game 7 matchup between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the San Antonio Spurs with a championship appearance on the line.

Although the Houston Rockets were eliminated in the first round of the 2026 Western Conference playoffs, how have they fared in all-time Game 7s?

Houston Rockets franchise record in Game 7s

The Rockets have played in 13 Game 7s throughout their team's history, with the first coming in 1981 against the San Antonio Spurs. That game ended in a 105-100 victory for Houston as Calvin Murphy's 42 points were enough to beat George Gervin's 23-point performance that included five assists, three steals and two blocks.

After falling to the Seattle Supersonics by three points in 1993, the Rockets would go undefeated (4-0) in the rest of their Game 7s in the 1990s, including an NBA championship victory in 1994 against the New York Knicks, where Hakeem Olajuwon outdueled Patrick Ewing to bring the Rockets their first NBA title. Consecutive Game 7 losses followed in 2005, 2007 and 2009 before the Rockets got back in the win column against the Los Angeles Clippers in 2015, coming back from a 3-1 deficit to reach the Western Conference Finals.

Houston would fall to the Golden State Warriors twice in Game 7s afterward, in 2018 and 2025, with their last Game 7 victory coming in between the two against the Oklahoma City Thunder during the 2020 season. In that game, James Harden and Russell Westbrook got the better of their former team, winning 104-102 against a Thunder squad led by Chris Paul and a young Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.

Overall the Rockets hold a 7-6 record in Game 7s throughout their history.

This article originally appeared on Rockets Wire: What is the Rockets all-time record in Game 7s?

It was the best of times and the worst of times for Caitlin Clark on Friday night.

The Indiana Fever star became the fastest player in WNBA history to reach 1,000 points and 500 assists. However, her evening was disappointing overall, as she posted a season-worst stat line in a 90-88 loss to the Golden State Valkyries.

After the game, Clark chose not to speak with the media, per various reports.

Clark tied for the team high with 16 points along with six assists and four rebounds. But she also went 3-for-12 from the floor and had five turnovers, struggling against a tough Golden State defense. Between the record and the rough outing, it would have made for an interesting conversation for any reporter who spoke with the superstar following the game.

However, various media members said that despite requesting access to Clark, they were rebuffed. One Bay Area reporter said that Clark was physically available at the time but confirmed that team PR said she wouldn’t be doing post-game interviews.

Clark did speak with the media before the game. The new WNBA media access policy stipulates that teams can make only two players available for postgame press conferences, but additional players must be available for interviews if requested by media covering the game.

Clark is usually available to media following games, though she did miss post-game availability once due to a migraine. The Fever have not publicly noted any injury or illness for Clark as of yet.

The WNBA has fined teams and players for skipping out on media interviews in the past.

It’s been an interesting time for Clark as there’s a sense that the superstar’s honeymoon is over, so to speak. Criticism over a lack of transparency about her sudden scratch from a game last week led to frustration for Clark and her coach. Earlier this week, longtime sports commentator Cari Champion called out what she sees as “blatant favoritism” from the refs and the league office toward its “supernova.” USA Today’s Nancy Armour also penned a column around how Clark is courting criticism for flopping and other antics.

We would imagine that the team, or Clark, will soon offer an explanation for the lack of media access.

The post Caitlin Clark declined to speak with media following Fever loss to Valkyries appeared first on Awful Announcing.

Sean Sweeney landed his first NBA head coaching job with the Orlando Magic after 15 years as an assistant, The Athletic reported Friday. It's been quite the rise for Sweeney, who -- like the Miami Heat's Erik Spoelstra, the league's longest-tenured coach -- began his career as a video coordinator.

However, the job's far from finished in San Antonio, where Sweeney has served as the Spurs' associate head coach under rising star Mitch Johnson. So, will Sweeney stick with the Spurs for what's left of their playoff run?

He sure will. Sweeney has reportedly committed to seeing it through with the 2025-26 Spurs, who are a win away from the NBA Finals. As the team's defensive guru, Sweeney has played a pivotal role in forming the Spurs' rugged identity on that end of the court. Two-time MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander looking like a shell of himself at times this series is evidence of that.

In Orlando, Sweeney will take over for Jamahl Mosley, another defensive specialist who was fired after five seasons. The Magic have plenty of talent, namely Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner, but offensive woes and injuries have held the team back from true contender status.

Perhaps Sweeney can give the Magic the spark they need to get over the playoff hump Mosley was never able to clear.

This article originally appeared on For The Win: Will Sean Sweeney coach Spurs in Game 7 after reportedly taking Magic job?

Dallas Mavericks' Kyrie Irving provides major offseason injury update originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

It's been a while since we've Dallas Mavericks star guard Kyrie Irving out on the court.

Irving missed the entirety of the 2025-26 NBA season due to a knee injury he suffered the previous year, which was a bummer for Mavericks fans, and basketball fans in general. 

Kyrie Irving says he's 'close' to 100 percent in ACL recovery 

But, the good news is that Irving has made great strides in his recovery. During a recent internet stream, the star guard said that he is close to 100 percent healthy after ample time to rest and rehab. 

“I am definitely close to being over at 100% in terms of my ACL recovery,” Irving said while speaking on Twitch. “It’s been a while now…I’m so grateful that I’ve had the time to heal & just experiment with my body more on the court and off the court in the weight room & just pushing myself to the limit.”

Given this update, it certainly sounds like Irving will be ready for the start of next season, barring any setbacks. 

Speaking of next season, there was some speculation that the Mavs could look to trade Irving over the offseason in order to acquire additional assets for a full rebuild around Rookie of the Year Cooper Flagg, but that might not be the case.

New Mavericks president Masai Ujiri expressed a desire to hang onto Irving to see how he fits alongside Flagg. 

"Kevin Durant once told me that there’s only one Kyrie Irving walking around in the world,” Ujiri said. 

“I think we have to figure out a way, how Kyrie fits with our program. I’ve had those conversations with Kyrie, up till yesterday and I think Kyrie will fit. There’s a huge curiosity in our minds to see how Kyrie fits playing with Cooper Flagg … and I think we owe that to this organization.”

Things could always change, but it sounds like we should expect to see a healthy Irving in a Mavericks uniform at the onset of the '26-27 season. 

More NBA news: 

• Anthony Davis reveals which Lakers player he misses the most, and it's not LeBron James
• Cleveland Cavaliers' James Harden provides NBA retirement timeline
• New Orleans Pelicans new head coach reveals plan for Zion Williamson
• Nikola Jokic's backup gets brutally honest about his future with Denver Nuggets
• New report casts major doubt on De'Aaron Fox's future with San Antonio Spurs

Tre Donaldson was among the team leaders last season at Miami as the starting point guard, and the 22-year-old is aiming to bring those attributes with him to the NBA.

Donaldson was an All-ACC second team selection, averaging 16.4 points, 5.7 assists, 3.6 rebounds and 1.4 steals while shooting 35.9% from 3-point range. He was one of 10 players in the country to average at least 16 points and 5.5 assists while shooting over 35% from beyond the arc.

The 6-foot-1 Donaldson ranked third in the conference in total assists with 201, the second-most in a season in program history. He was one of four players in the ACC to dish out at least 10 assists in five or more games this past season.

"I feel like my game is well-rounded, but just continuing to work on every aspect of it, not being complacent, is the biggest thing," Donaldson said this week after working out with the Golden State Warriors. "Then, just keep getting better in all aspects of the game. I feel like you can never shoot the ball well enough, so just continuing to work on shooting, defending and being a pest."

Donaldson was among the 44 prospects who participated in the G League combine earlier this month, averaging 11.5 points, four rebounds and 3.5 assists in two scrimmages. He also recorded a 39-inch max vertical jump, which ranked the fourth-highest among all participants.

The Florida native is considered a potential second-round pick because of his scoring and leadership. He has the ability to create space with his quickness and dribble moves, and he showed that he can pull up from well beyond the arc.

Donaldson has conducted predraft workouts with at least five teams, with others scheduled before the two-night draft on June 23-24. He is looking forward to showing teams what he can bring to the next level, both on and off the court.

"I played four years of college, so they know my game well," Donaldson said. "(I want to show) my personality, my leadership skills, things that they don't get to see every day or on the court as much, or hear. So, just the way I talk, my vocals, the way I encourage others, and the way I can bring everybody together, I feel like that's what I want to show teams and how I can be that glue guy."

This article originally appeared on Rookie Wire: Tre Donaldson: Miami senior wants to bring leadership to the NBA

Golden State Warriors star Draymond Green has never been afraid to speak his mind and that is the case when it comes to the flopping controversy surrounding NBA superstar and Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.

Throughout these NBA playoffs, SGA has been under the microscope for his propensity to flop in an attempt to draw fouls and get to the free-throw line.

This certainly isn’t the first time Gilgeous-Alexander has been scrutinized, but it feels like the criticism coming at him is at an all-time high.

While SGA’s supporters view all of this as negative, Draymond sees it in a different light.

“Shai, you’ve reached a new level of greatness my mam,” Green said. “You got sports media coming out and talking about what they don’t like about your greatness, as if SGA is running up and down the court with the whistle in his mouth calling a foul for himself… you all think the NBA is that easy to where this guy just flops and goes to the free throw line and he becomes the back to back MVP? We really gonna dumb the NBA down to that?”

We certainly understand the criticism coming SGA’s way, but the league and referees deserve blame, also.

Reactions to SGA’s flopping are at a fever pitch

ESPN’s Michael Wilson thinks Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is going to teach a whole generation of kids how to flop and we’ll start seeing that on the playground.

“If SGA goes back to back, and enters next season as a two-time champion and two-time MVP, guess what? There will be kids on the playground learning how to flop,” he said.

Maybe he’s right, but LeBron James and several other NBA players have probably already done that.

ESPN’s Mike Greenberg also called Gilgeous-Alexander “unwatchable.”

“Sometimes watching him play is agonizing. It is not fun,” he said. “You have to understand that for the rest of us, watching this style of play is not like watching Steph, it’s not like watching Michael Jordan. It’s just not. We’re watching to be entertained.”

We even have Underdog creating a board game that mocks Gilgeous-Alexander’s flopping.

OK, that one was hilarious, but not in SGA’s mind, as his attorney sent a cease and desist letter to the company.

Doing that certainly isn’t going to help the Thunder superstar get more people in his corner.

Gilgeous-Alexander might be one of, if not the biggest offenders when it comes to flopping. Of that, there is no doubt.

MORE: SGA enters Game 7 vs. Spurs with legacy on the line

But this is a problem the NBA has had for years, and it continues to be a problem, even with the NBA having a rule to prevent flopping.

Knowing that, the fault is really mostly on the league for not enforcing the rule.

Do that and see how fast SGA and other NBA players stop the flop.

The Brooklyn Nets are in the beginning stages of an offseason where they could be looking to make significant improvements to the roster after coming off a 20-62 record in the 2025-26 season. Brooklyn has the No. 6 overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft and more than that, the Nets seem to have enough assets to make moves during this summer.

"Including the No. 6 pick in the 2026 draft, the Brooklyn Nets also have a whopping nine first-round selections available for trade," Grant Hughes wrote for Bleacher Report while discussing the Nets. Hughes did a ranking of the five teams in the NBA with the most trades assets in the league and Brooklyn was ranked first on the list, showing how much they have at their disposal to make some noise this offseason.

"That's the most in the league by a decent margin (Charlotte checks in at No. 2 with seven tradeable firsts) and the main reason Brooklyn belongs atop the list," Hughes continued. "It's remarkable that the Nets land here, despite their own 2027 first-rounder going to Houston in a swap. The most favorable 2028 first-rounder from the Knicks, Phoenix Suns and Philadelphia 76ers (top-eight protected) could make up for that one, though."

The Nets appear to be in a good spot to eventually get back to competing for a playoff spot as they maintain salary-cap flexibility along with having the draft capital necessary to go after marquee players. Brooklyn could practically free up as much as $48 million in cap space this offseason and they have 13 first-round picks to use over the next seven years, including the nine that they can trade, as Hughes pointed out.

At this point, the Nets' rebuild depends on how well they do in the draft over the next few years along with how their five first-round picks from the 2025 NBA Draft progress in their development. It may not look like it now, but Brooklyn has gone about their rebuild in the right way for the most part. However, the good news is that the Nets have plenty of ammunition to use if they want to trade for someone.

This article originally appeared on Nets Wire: Nets listed as team with the most trade assets in the NBA this summer

Will Giannis Antetokounmpo leave the Milwaukee Bucks? And if so, will he be dealt to the Boston Celtics? It seems more likely than ever that the Greek Freak era of the Bucks will draw to a close soon. But we have been on this ride before and it has yet to actually go down -- and if it does, there will be a lot of teams jockeying for his services too.

But that does not mean that Giannis will be traded to the Celtics, nor does it mean Boston fans necessarily need to make the move rumored to be of interested to the Bucks star.

The folks behind the "xxx" YouTube channel put together a clip from their "Greg Hill Show" taking a closer look at whether Antetokounmpo will actually, finally leave Milwaukee, and the prospects of him landing with the Celtics. Check it out below!

Listen to "Havlicek Stole the Pod" on:

Blue Wire: https://tiny.ee/CdKp

iTunes: https://tiny.ee/RK47

YouTube: https://tiny.ee/cOW3

This article originally appeared on Celtics Wire: Will Giannis leave the Bucks? And if so, will he land with the Celtics?

Oklahoma City’s size was seen as a playoff advantage all season. But against San Antonio, it’s started to work against them.

Chet Holmgren and Isaiah Hartenstein still provide the Thunder with length, rebounding, and rim protection. But Victor Wembanyama has turned that pairing into an offensive logjam.

That issue fully surfaced in Oklahoma City’s game 4 and game 6 losses, where the Thunder produced their lowest scoring playoff game of the season while repeatedly struggling to create clean driving lanes.

San Antonio isn’t just defending anymore – they’re shaping exactly where Wembanyama spends his time on court. The series is now tied 3-3, heading for Game 7.

Wembanyama’s role mirrors that of a free safety

San Antonio has been making greater use of Wembanyama as a roaming helper, particularly when Hartenstein is on the court. This is the main spacing problem.

When Hartenstein hangs around above the break or sets screens without being a shooting threat, Wembanyama can drift into the lane without giving up anything on defence. That allows him to do both tasks at once.

If Holmgren makes a move behind the play, he can still recover towards the rim while staying in Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s driving path. ESPN highlighted how Wembanyama’s role resembles an off-ball rover rather than a traditional matchup. It’s something Oklahoma City hasn’t found an answer for just yet.

The numbers from Game 4 explained how badly the spacing issue spiralled. Oklahoma City finished with their lowest-scoring playoff game in five years. The Thunder repeatedly forced drives into a congested lane while San Antonio maintained steady rotations around Wembanyama’s reach.

Thunder’s two-big lineup is running into problems against Wembanyama

The issue isn’t really about whether Holmgren and Hartenstein can play together. It’s about how much space they leave for Wembanyama to operate. Analysts following the series have pointed out that the Thunder’s effective field goal percentage has dropped to around 40% when both are on the court.

The more interesting numbers come when the lineup splits up. Oklahoma City has posted roughly a +15.4 net rating with Holmgren playing without Hartenstein and a +17.0 mark with Hartenstein anchoring solo lineups. That matters because it suggests the issue is not either player individually.

For much of the season, Oklahoma City’s size seemed like a strength. But in this series, it’s become more of a roadmap for how San Antonio can defend them. The pairing of Chet Holmgren and Isaiah Hartenstein still offers the Thunder length, rebounding and rim protection.

The problem is that Victor Wembanyama has turned that combination into an offensive traffic jam. This goes beyond simple defence – the Spurs are actively steering Wembanyama into positions where he can have the most impact.

Read more:

Angel Reese keeps grabbing those "mebounds," faster than any player in WNBA history.

The All-Star forward had 18 points and 12 rebounds to help the Atlanta Dream to an 86-66 victory over the Portland Fire on Friday. It was her fourth double-double this season and, more importantly, Reese now has 900 career rebounds.

Reese reached 900 rebounds in 71 games, the fastest to the milestone in the WNBA history.

A walking double-double and now in the record books 🫡

Angel Reese set the tone, dropping 18 PTS, 12 REB and 5 AST as the @AtlantaDream picked up their fifth win of the season. She also became the fastest player in WNBA history to reach 900 career rebounds, doing so in just 71… pic.twitter.com/dGhZt9c56V

— WNBA (@WNBA) May 30, 2026

“Rebounds are something that I can always rely on, no matter how the game is going," Reese said. "I knew tonight that I was gonna get a lot of offensive rebounds, and I think last game I didn’t do a great job getting offensive rebounds or even defensive rebounds.

"I wanted to take pride in that tonight and going in there and getting those extra second-chance points, but also opportunities to my teammates to kick out on the three."

Reese made 6-of-14 shots from the field and 6-of-7 from the free-throw line. She added five assists and one block.

Reese has become a double-double machine in the WNBA. It was her 53rd double-double of her career, she's recorded that stat in 74.6% of her games.

The Dream are now 5-2, a half game back of the Minnesota Lynx for the best record in the WNBA. Reese, who was traded to Atlanta in the offseason from the Chicago Sky, is averaging 13.1 points, 11 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 1.1 rebounds.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Dream's Angel Reese reaches 900 rebounds in WNBA record 71 games

Jusuf Nurkic never hid that he likes Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade. Bosnian center talked at X and O's Podcast about him potentially playing for Partizan at some point in his career. Nurkic revealed that so far, at least to his knowledge, there were no offers from Partizan in his career: "I didn't have an offer from the black-and-whites. I didn't, at least I don't know that I did, but I wish that I had," Nurkic started. "I'm now looking for new jobs," Nurkic jokingly claimed, also hinting at his future.

BasketNews

This article originally appeared on Hoops Hype: Jusuf Nurkic addresses free agency

Luka Doncic also hopes EuroLeague and NBA can find a solution to work with each other: "It would be best if they could find a common language and a way to cooperate. I spent great years in the Euroleague before going to America and that competition shaped my game in every sense. So I hope that this cooperation will bring good to both of us," he concluded.

BasketNews

This article originally appeared on Hoops Hype: Luka Doncic hopes Euroleague and NBA 'can find a way to cooperate'

Behind this undertaking is an investment group led by former NBA official Donnie Nelson, in which the Slovenian superstar Luka Doncic is one of the main investors. The operational part of the deal will be led by Rimantas Kaukenas, while the legendary Valerio Bianchini the creator of the greatest successes of Roman basketball, is also involved in the whole story. "For me, this is not just a simple financial investment. I want to build a club that can compete at the highest level and that will mean something to Roma, because they deserve the best, and we are ready to give them that," Doncic started for Gazzeta Dello Sport.

BasketNews

This article originally appeared on Hoops Hype: "For me, this is not just a simple financial …

Richard Jefferson: Start, bench, cut. LA basketball royalty. Kobe Bryant, Magic Johnson, LeBron James. DeMar DeRozan: LA Lakers basketball? Jefferson: Yeah, LA. Yeah. DeRozan: Start Magic, bench Kobe, cut LeBron. Jefferson: Yeah, that's fair. LeBron's been here for like 12 years. We don't need to make it a thing.

YouTube

This article originally appeared on Hoops Hype: DeRozan: LA Lakers basketball? Jefferson: Yeah, LA. …

The Toronto Tempo return home after a road win on Wednesday night to host the Seattle Storm, who open a two-game trip on Saturday afternoon at Coca-Cola Coliseum in Toronto after a 2-2 homestand.

MORE: Early favorites for the 2026 WNBA MVP Award

How to Watch Seattle Storm vs Toronto Tempo

• When: Saturday, May 30, 2026
• Time: 1:00 PM ET
• TV Channel: KOMO-TV (Seattle)
• Live Stream: Fubo (try for free)

A late 8-2 run helped Toronto hold off a charge from the Chicago Sky on the way to a 111-104 victory on Wednesday night. Nyara Sabally scored a career-high 29 points for the Tempo, while Marina Mabrey finished with 24 points and seven assists, and Brittney Sykes tossed in 20 points. Kiki Rice went for 14 points, eight rebounds, and seven assists as well.

– Live Stream Storm vs Tempo with Fubo –

The shorthanded Storm struggled offensively on Wednesday night, hitting only 34.9% from the floor in a 78-64 loss to the visiting Washington Mystics. Jade Melbourne was the only double-digit scorer for Seattle with 15 points, while reserve Mackenzie Holmes pulled down 10 rebounds in 20 minutes of playing time. Dominique Malonga missed her fifth straight game in the concussion protocol, while Taylor Thierry, Taina Mair, and Ezi Magbegor also sat out.

Sykes averages 20.5 points and 4.4 assists for the expansion Tempo, with Mabrey netting 18.0 points per game and Sabally posting 12.5 points and 5.5 rebounds a night. Malonga, listed as a game-time decision for Saturday, averages 16.0 points and 7.3 rebounds, while Natisha Hiedeman scores 13.0 points per game and Melbourne gets 10.9 points and 4.3 assists per outing.

This is a great WNBA matchup that you will not want to miss; make sure to tune in and catch all the action.

Live stream Seattle Storm vs Toronto Tempo on Fubo: Start your free trial!

You can live stream WNBA games all season long with Fubo, who offer a free trial. They carry all of the channels you will need to never miss your favorite team’s games, including nationally broadcast channels like ESPN, ABC, ION and NBA TV, as well as local team coverage.

Regional restrictions may apply. If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation.

— Enjoy free coverage of the top news & trending stories on The Big Lead —

Don’t mess with Shaquille O’Neal, and don’t mess with his Angel Reese! In a new interview, the former Los Angeles Lakers star rushed the Reese’s defense, slamming trolls for “bullying” the WNBA superstar online. And he didn’t stop there. Elsewhere during the interview, O’Neal said he wished he could take his defense of Reese even further by landing a clean one squarely in some of her haters’ faces.

Shaquille O’Neal Makes It Clear That He’s A Big Fan Of Angel Reese And The WNBA

O’Neal appeared on “The Rich Eisen Show” recently and opened up about the WNBA’s biggest stars, including Reese and the Washington Mystics’ rookie Lauren Betts.

During the show, O’Neal spoke about their love of the game, saying they are “having fun” and are “determined to do great things” in the league.

At another point, the NBA champion briefly spoke about internet trolls who use their likeness to spread hate for clicks and engagement.

O’Neal Says He Wishes He Could ‘Punch’ Reese’s Critics For ‘Bullying’ Her

“I wish I could punch some of these guys in the face that just pick on my Angel and pick on my Lauren, but I have to be professional,” O’Neal said about the trolls’ apparent attempts to garner engagement off of hate posts about the star athletes.

“It’s just a lot of nonsense, and just a lot of embarrassing, a lot of bullying sometimes. And guys bullying [other] guys is fine, but I can’t let you just bully females, just so you can get likes,” O’Neal said.

And he didn’t stop there. O’Neal slammed the “amateurs” who use an athlete’s off-night to get the media and internet to attack a single player.

“A lot of guys, when they get off air, they want to go to their page. So, what do they do to go to their page? They’ll take a hot topic and promote it on their page to get their followers up,” he said.

O’Neal Has Defended Angel Reese In The Past Against Internet Trolls

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by The Neighborhood Talk (@theneighborhoodtalk)

This isn’t the first time that O’Neal has spoken up for Reese. According to a previous report from The Blast, O’Neal previously blasted former NFL player Robert Griffin III (RGIII) for posting a photo of Reese depicted as a monkey.

“Tweet another monkey post about my girl Angel Reese and I’m gonna punch you in your f-cking face,” O’Neal said in 2025.

He added, “It’s enough. I don’t usually do stuff like this, but stop it, bro. You got your job, you got your podcast. Leave my Angel Reese alone. I’m the one calling her and telling her not to respond. F-cking stop it. That’s the last time.”

O’Neal criticized RGIII for fanning the flame and allegedly sending more hate Reese’s way.

He also dismissed those with negative feelings toward Reese, who defeated Caitlin Clark in 2023 during the NCAA Championship, saying their beef is “not real hate.”

“If you look around at what’s going on in this real country, that’s hate,” he said before adding, “This is sports; I’m not supposed to like you.”

O’Neal Is Always Rooting For Angel Reese

O’Neal and Reese go way back. In fact, their relationship started when Reese rose to fame as one of the star players of LSU’s 2023-2024 rosters.

After the 6’3″ Maryland native was drafted by the Chicago Sky in 2024, O’Neal spoke with PEOPLE about their relationship.

“I am described as Angel’s understandable ear,” he said. “I know things that she went through, I know what she’s going through, I know what’s about to happen to her and I could give her advice.”

Reese Signed With Reebok Because Of O’Neal

Something else that makes their relationship so strong is that O’Neal made Reese the face of Reebok Basketball when she signed with the shoe giant in October 2023.

Now, the superstar has her own line of sneakers and clothing, with more on the way. In the past, she opened up about why she signed with the company and how O’Neal played a role in that.

“He spoke about me being able to bring Reebok back,” she said. “I already knew everything he and A.I. were able to do, and their swag. I love A.I.’s swag, what they were able to do while they were playing. But like me, being able to have my own creative control and being able to have my hands on everything was something that I really wanted to do, and I was like, ‘All right, let’s do it. Let’s talk.’ And everything went great.”

The Shaq Slams ‘Guys’ Who Are ‘Bullying’ Angel Reese For Popularity: ‘Embarrassing’ first appeared on The Blast