Daily Discussion Thread + Game Thread Index | Finals
The World Cup has shown how easy it would be to deter flopping.
NBA Finals Game 5 Referee Assignment: Scott Foster (#48), James Capers (#19), Tyler Ford (#39); Mitchell Ervin (#27) as alternate
[Krawcyznski] The Minnesota Timberwolves are expected to undergo significant roster changes involving their starting lineup. Giannis Antetokounmpo is ‘a hard one to pull off.’ Kyrie Irving ‘more realistic.’ Kawhi Leonard and Jalen Suggs mentioned as other potential targets.
James Harden arrested today around 4am in Houston for “Unlawful Carrying Weapons”
[Bill Simmons Pod] Bill: “Single biggest choke job I’ve ever witnessed in an NBA game … I kept thinking Falcons 28, Patriots 3” House: “They had 8 field goals total in the second half”
Carmelo reveals story behind Kobe Bryant’s 2012 Jeremy Lin comments: “You gonna get your a*s bust.’ He’s (Kobe) like, ‘by who? who the f**k is Jeremy Lin?’ he said that in the media, it stemmed from the conversation we had just had the night before. And he was tired of me talking about him to him”
NYPD seeking suspect after a streamer in a referee hoodie chanting “Spurs in 7” beat a 17 year old into a coma following verbal altercation after Knicks Game 4 win
[Highlight] 10 years ago on this date down 3-1 in the NBA Finals, LeBron James and Kyrie Irving become the first duo to score 40+ in an NBA Finals matchup forcing a game 6. LeBron had 41, 7 assists, & 16 boards with 6 stocks. Kyrie had 41 & 6 assists with 3 stocks.
I wish CP3 was still with the Spurs for this finals runs to make a difference…
Jalen Brunson was asked if it feels like the Knicks are one win away from a championship:
“0-0.”
Do you think there is a hint of racism in how Jeremy Lin was treated by his teammates?
10 years ago today, with the Warriors leading the finals 3-1 Klay Thompson suggests that LeBron ‘just got his feelings hurt.’
[Woike] defensive concerns about a Dončić-and-Reaves pairing are overstated, one team source said. Reaves was also one of the most important voices inside the Lakers’ locker room… “You can’t let a talent like that walk,” one Western Conference executive said. “That would be a disaster.”
Mitch Johnson: “I don’t get into social media. I think I’ve probably been fired 212 times, and we’ve traded Fox 72 times…”
Victor Wembanyama on a possible 3-1 comeback: “Everybody knows we’re gonna do it. I think it’d be a mistake to waste our energy on multiple games. It’s one game at a time”
The NBA needs to partner with NYC to build a fake city block that Knicks fans can legally demolish after they win.
Karl-Anthony Towns was asked where he thinks OG Anunoby’s tip-in will rank among the best New York sports moments of all-time: “The right hand of God. Can’t spell God without OG”
Chris Bosh Gives Breakdown on Finals Game 4 and Overview For Game 5
De’Aaron Fox on the criticism he got after game 4:
“It’s not like people have my phone number and can call me. I don’t watch those shows. It doesn’t matter. It is what it is. You can’t change it now. We’re trying to move on from that”
Karl-Anthony Towns uses every bit of homecourt advantage to secure the greatest Finals comeback ever, telling courtside fans to get closer to Dylan Harper on the inbounds out of view of the refs
Epic Knicks Game 4 Comeback Drew 20.9 Million ABC Viewers; becomes most viral NBA game ever on social media
Jalen Brunson on his relationship with Karl-Anthony Towns: “Being the teammate that he is and seeing his sacrifices and seeing what he’s done his entire career puts him in position to become a Hall of Famer. I wouldn’t trade that for the world.”
Spurs in utter confusion coming out of the timeout before the OG tip in
[The Check In] The 2006 Miami Heat sit together and brainstorm a modern-day comparison for Alonzo Mourning: “What about that boy on Minnesota?” “Rudy Gobert?” “Oh hell no!”
Walt Fraizer: “Thibs never believed in developing the bench… and eventually that cost him his job.”
The 2026 finals have been decided by an average of 4 points in its first 4 games, which is the 2nd closest start to a finals since the merger. This is behind 2011 (3.75 Δavg at 2-2), and is also tied with 1973, the last time the Knicks won a championship
OG Anunoby said Raptors teammates hit him up after his game-winner in Game 4, and tells how it felt scoring it.
Isiah Thomas on the physicality against Victor Wembanyama “Wemby has been the victim of some of the dirtiest sh*t ever. I mean, people are grabbing and holding him… they’re lucky he hasn’t turned around and popped one of them in the face real quick.”
Dillon Brooks in Nike x Team Canada commercial!
After using an technique he learned from the Shaolin Monks to get into Mitchell Robinson’s head, Victor Wembanyama proceeded to shoot 4⁄18 throughout the remaining quarters. Mitchell Robinson himself is shooting 4⁄13 from the freethrow line this series
Draymond gives his thoughts about victor wembanyama being perceived as cocky
Why TF is video review done live on court and not via remote refs?
Larry David ranks OG’s game winner #1 in NY sports history. Also, coaches who walk around and block the view for the front row…they’re-uh kinda being a little rude. What, aren’t they? I think it’s rude!
Tim Bontemps reacts to the overreaction to Wembanyama’s quote
Carmelo Anthony and Jeremy Lin Tell All: ‘Linsanity’ Run, Exit from NY & Decade-Plus Tension
Luke Kornet added to injury report ahead of game 5 with an illness
Mitch Johnson: “People have their opinions. I don’t care. De’Aaron Fox will have the ball in his hands at the end of the game tomorrow and I have nothing but the utmost confidence that he’s gonna deliver like he’s done countless times for us”
[Amick] The Celtics, Timberwolves, Trail Blazers and Magic are among the Giannis Antetokounmpo suitors. Giannis Antetokounmpo would be willing to sign a four-year $275 million extension with Boston. Jaylen Brown would get flipped to a third team for young players and picks.
[Highlight] Fans TV is ahead of the watch party outside in NY. You can hear the celebrations from downtown.
Kon Knueppel asked Jalen Brunson what characteristics it takes to win at highest level: “The one thing that stays constant, and I’ve always been taught by my parents, to never be afraid to fail.”
The Knicks have won 7 playoff series since 2023, 6 of those series close out wins have been on the road
LeBron James: I don’t recommend anybody go to Miami at 25. If you don’t have…Yeah, you gotta have a strong mindset. Uh yeah, I had it. I had a strong mindset. I don’t recommend people to go to Miami at 25. Yeah. Yeah.
Just a weird coincidence? On the 10 year anniversary, this year’s Finals schedule for Games 5-7 perfectly lines up with the 2016 Final’s Game 5-7 schedule.
You went 82-0, now try to go 0-82
[Woike]: “Multiple front-office sources around the league, granted anonymity to freely discuss an opposing player, expect Reaves to have interest from the Brooklyn Nets, with a four-year, $178.5 million contract expected to be offered.”
OG Anunoby on June 11th, 2026, becoming Ogugua Anunoby Appreciation Day in Manhattan, New York, and what it means to him, on top of feeling cool and excited: “I mean, it is amazing. It is really cool. It is really exciting. It’s special. It’s amazing.”
What is your favorite team’s most devastating playoff moment?
Knicks are Now 7-6 when trailing by 14+ Points in the playoffs since 2024. Rest of the NBA is 10-110