The San Antonio Spurs are headed back to the NBA Finals for the first time since 1999 after an incredible Game 7 win, defeating the Oklahoma City Thunder on Saturday night.​

The Spurs were down 3-2 and won back-to-back elimination games, including a dominant Game 6 victory at home, before finishing the job on the defending champs’ floor.

Again, for the Spurs, the Western Conference MVP is Victor Wembanyama; his impact is unexplainable- the way he takes everybody out of the paint, takes players out of the game, and especially when he’s hitting the long ball. The Spurs superstar had 22 points, going seven for 15 and shutting out OKC’s Chet Holmgren to 4 points.

It wasn’t just Wembanyama that played a major role throughout this postseason run. The Spurs’ young players include rookie guard Dylan Harper and second-year player Stephon Castle, out of UConn. Doing their job and hitting big-time shots. Role players can also win new games by playing their roles at their best.

And this is a transition to one of the more impressive playoff runs in the franchise’s recent history. After years of rebuilding following the retirements of Hall of Famers such as Tim Duncan, Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili, the Spurs reached their first finals since 2014, where they beat the Miami Heat in five games.

The Spurs will face the New York Knicks in the NBA Finals, with the Knicks holding the home-court advantage. This should be a really good series for basketball fans, and the Spurs should win because they have better athletes and defenders. But I’m not going to count out Jalen Brunson and his ability to hit clutch shots and close games.

The Spurs also faced the Knicks in 1999, which was the Knicks’ first finals appearance since. Tim Duncan and company got their first ring and beat the Knicks in five games.

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Controversy surrounded the NBA playoffs after Game 5 of the Western Conference finals between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the San Antonio Spurs, as both fans and players expressed frustration over foul calls involving MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.

The Thunder beat the Spurs 127-114 in Game 5 on Tuesday night to take a 3-2 series lead, but most of the postgame discussion focused on the referees—including Tony Brothers—and the number of free throws awarded to Gilgeous-Alexander.

Gilgeous-Alexander once again excelled offensively, attacking the paint aggressively against the Spurs’ defense. However, Spurs players, coaches and fans repeatedly expressed frustration, believing the Oklahoma City guard received favorable whistles.

Social media erupted during and after the game as clips circulated showing multiple foul calls involving Gilgeous-Alexander driving to the basket. Many fans argued that the Thunder star is getting special treatment from officials.

Despite the controversy, Gilgeous-Alexander has been playing efficient basketball. The All-NBA guard controls the pace offensively, especially when Oklahoma City pulls away late in the fourth quarter. One of his more underrated skills is drawing fouls and getting to the line.

Critics who say he “foul baits” likely aren’t watching closely—many players in today’s game do the same, and most calls are correct in the moment.

One instance in Game 5 where I disagreed with the officials was late in the fourth quarter, when Luke Kornet had a clear layup erased by Cason Wallace and no foul was called. Later, the ball went off Holmgren’s shoe, but officials called it out on Wembanyama.

Aside from that, Spurs guard Stephon Castle plays too aggressively at times and picks up inexcusable fouls.

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The New York Knicks dominated the Eastern Conference finals, sweeping the Cleveland Cavaliers in four games to advance to their first NBA Finals since 1999.

Since New York came back in Game 1 after being down 20 points in the fourth quarter, the Knicks have not let up all series. In each game, New York’s offense shot at a high level while the defense repeatedly overwhelmed the Cavaliers.
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Jalen Brunson started at point guard and delivered another strong performance, earning Eastern Conference Finals MVP honors.

With this postseason run, the Knicks have now won eight in a row and will play the winner of the Thunder-Spurs series in the NBA Finals on June 3.

This New York team may be under the radar compared to those in the Western Conference, but their effort and defensive intensity stand out. Veteran players like Mikal Bridges and Josh Hart can cause havoc and force turnovers. When the Knicks are hitting shots, they’re tough to beat.

Head coach Mike Brown, hired from Sacramento after being let go, also defeated his former team and coached LeBron James back in the early 2000s. That has to be a good feeling for him.

Since 2020, the Knicks have built this roster by acquiring Brunson from the Dallas Mavericks, trading for Josh Hart from the New Orleans Pelicans, adding Bridges from the Brooklyn Nets, acquiring Karl-Anthony Towns from the Minnesota Timberwolves, and getting OG Anunoby from the Toronto Raptors.

They’ve also built depth, with Landry Shamet shooting 92 percent from 3-point range this series and Deuce McBride consistently knocking down threes off the bench. Now, the Knicks will wait to see who they’ll play in the NBA Finals—and what would be the better matchup: Victor Wembanyama or Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.

The San Antonio Spurs earned a major win Sunday, defeating the Oklahoma City Thunder 103-82 in Game 4 of the Western Conference finals to even the series at 2-2 and shift it back to Oklahoma City.

The Spurs dropped Game 3 at home to the Thunder, largely due to Oklahoma City’s depth. Players like Jared McCain and Jaylen Williams had solid outings, hitting several 3-pointers. Despite leading 15-0 in that game, the Spurs struggled with consistency.

One of the main takeaways from that game was Victor Wembanyama’s inconsistency in getting to his spots. He took several contested shots and 3-pointers.

In Game 4, Wembanyama was back to form, especially on the defensive end as the NBA Defensive Player of the Year, blocking shots and anchoring the paint. He finished with 33 points and was much more aggressive throughout the game.

The Thunder struggled to regain momentum after their Game 3 victory. With all starters in, Oklahoma City shot just 5-for-32 before pulling them from the game—an unusual occurrence for OKC. Jaylen Williams (known as J-Dub) and Ajay Mitchell were both out due to injury.

Wembanyama was the key factor in the win, a must-have for the Spurs after falling behind 2-1 in the series following Game 3.

Now, the series shifts back to Oklahoma City for Game 5 with the series tied 2-2. The Thunder have home-court advantage for Game 5—and, if it goes to seven games, for Game 7 as well.

We’ll see if the Spurs can maintain their momentum from Game 4 or if Oklahoma City will regroup at home.

New York Knicks’ Mikal Bridges delivered another standout performance in Game 3 on Friday night.

The Knicks defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers 121-108 in the Eastern Conference finals.

With the win, New York now leads the series 3-0.

Bridges once again played a major role on both ends of the floor for the Knicks, knocking down jump shots, defending, and forcing turnovers.

Throughout his career, Bridges has been known for his durability as an elite perimeter defender. He helped disrupt Cleveland’s offense while also scoring at key moments.

When the Knicks needed a bucket, Josh Hart started hitting 3-pointers as New York went on a 14-0 run in the third quarter.

Bridges helped maintain offensive production, keeping a 15- to 20-point lead. His defensive intensity is critical, especially when guarding stars like Donovan Mitchell and James Harden.

Bridges’ ability to dominate without the ball has been a big factor in the Knicks’ postseason success. He contributes to both offense and defense.

He played a similar role in Phoenix in 2021, hitting corner 3s and serving as a great defender as the Suns made the NBA Finals, nearly winning the championship before losing Game 6 to the Milwaukee Bucks.
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The Western Conference finals are now tied 1-1 after the Oklahoma City Thunder won Game 2 at home.

But the story of the night was Dylan Harper. The San Antonio Spurs’ rookie point guard suffered an injury in the second quarter.

​Harper, a rookie out of Rutgers, played a major role in San Antonio’s Game 1 victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder in double overtime.

But in the second quarter of Game 2, he grabbed a rebound and landed awkwardly. Harper immediately reached for his leg, walked to the sideline, and then limped to the locker room. He did not return to the floor.

​This is significant for the Spurs because starting point guard De’Aaron Fox is already out, and Harper has been the team’s main playmaker, getting to the basket against the Thunder. Without Harper down the stretch, San Antonio struggled to get to the rim and create offense when it mattered most. The Spurs cut the deficit to five points late but lacked a go-to scorer to finish the game.

​Harper’s injury is a major concern for San Antonio and could force him to miss significant time. Since entering the league, Harper has developed into one of the NBA’s most promising young guards. His chemistry with superstar Victor Wembanyama has fueled the Spurs’ playoff run this postseason.

​Another major storyline is Jalen Williams of the Thunder, who suffered a hamstring issue. Now, both Oklahoma City and San Antonio will head into Game 3 dealing with key injuries.

Even at the start of his NBA career, Harper has already become a critical piece of San Antonio’s future. Any injury is a serious concern for the Spurs as this series continues.

LeBron James, 41, remains the biggest topic of any NBA offseason storyline.

Questions are swirling around his future contract situation with the Los Angeles Lakers. What he decides in the coming months continues to dominate conversation on shows like First Take and across the basketball world.

​After completing another strong season—his 23rd NBA campaign—James now faces a major decision in the next stage of his career.

Of course, everyone knows James: a four-time NBA champion, the league’s highest-paid player, and the face of basketball for a generation.

​Some continue to speculate whether James could pursue a shorter contract or accept a pay cut with the Lakers, allowing them to improve the roster on a one-year deal before he retires.

James has several options: He could retire, return to the Cleveland Cavaliers to help their young squad—the Cavs are currently in the Eastern Conference finals—or return to the Lakers on a pay cut to help build around young star Luka Dončić.

​The salary discussion comes at a crucial time, following the Lakers’ second-round sweep by the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Los Angeles is expected to be aggressive and pursue roster upgrades around Dončić. The Lakers need to make a significant move to compete with the Oklahoma City Thunder and the San Antonio Spurs for years to come—whether that means trading Austin Reaves for a star like Giannis Antetokounmpo, or making another bold move. The Lakers need a spark to return to championship contention.

George Kittle is one of the greatest tight ends in NFL history, but people often forget he graduated from high school in Norman, Oklahoma. Kittle faced criticism Monday when he was courtside at Game 1 of the Oklahoma City Thunder vs. San Antonio Spurs series.

​Fans questioned why he supports the Oklahoma City Thunder and whether he is a bandwagon fan. Kittle moved to Norman, Oklahoma, after his father, Bruce Kittle, joined the University of Oklahoma football coaching staff under Bob Stoops.

The move also helped Kittle develop his knowledge of college football culture early in life. At Norman High School, Kittle played multiple positions, including tight end, wide receiver and defensive back. As a senior, he recorded 26 receptions for more than 300 yards and six touchdowns and made key contributions in the secondary. He earned All-State and all-district honors before graduating from Norman High.

Despite his NFL fame, Kittle continues to embrace Oklahoma as his home. His high school coaches still celebrate his success as one of their most accomplished football alumni. Kittle’s story began in Norman before he committed to Iowa, where he played college football for four years before being drafted in the fifth round by the San Francisco 49ers in 2017. He has since played in two Super Bowls, is a multiple-time Pro Bowler, and is considered by his peers to be one of the best tight ends in NFL history.

​People shouldn’t be quick to judge someone based on where they grew up or what team they root for. Kittle knows the value of loyalty, especially having played for the 49ers since 2017.

Alex Caruso had an insane performance in game one of the Western Conference finals versus the San Antonio Spurs. Even though the Spurs won 122-115 in double overtime. Caruso was Oklahoma City’s best player on the floor.

Caruso came off the bench for the Thunder, and he’s known primarily for his defense, his hustle and consistent three-point ability. He scored a career high 31 points while knocking down eight three-pointers versus the Spurs. He went 8-for-14 from three, and his performance helped. Keep the Thunder competitive, and what is now definitely a playoff classic.

The Thunder even relied heavily on Caruso to guard Spurs center Victor Wembanyama, even though Wembanyama had 41 points and 24 rebounds. Caruso had a couple of players where he got the best of Wembanyama by fronting him on the post and stealing a couple of passes. OKC does that throughout the series; they have a good chance of being competitive.

OKC is at its best when they’re in transition, scoring off turnovers and especially if Caruso is hitting the three-ball. Caruso’s masterpiece also cemented his place in NBA playoff history. He became the second player to ever score 30 points and make eight or more three-pointers off the bench in an NBA postseason game, which is wild.

And honestly, I am not shocked that Caruso can do this at a very high level. In 2020, he was a key part of the Los Angeles Lakers‘ championship run. He has built a reputation for guarding the league’s top top, best players, and since arriving from Oklahoma City, his veteran leadership has been second to none, which is why the Thunder are looking to go back-to-back.

Can I have your attention, please—will the real Dylan Harper please stand up?

Harper announced himself on the national stage Monday night in Game 1 of the Western Conference finals, helping the San Antonio Spurs defeat the Oklahoma City Thunder.

​The rookie guard had one of the biggest performances of his NBA career. He was poised and confident in a wild playoff environment in Oklahoma City. The Spurs were without De’Aaron Fox in Game 1 and will be without their starting point guard again tonight. Harper controlled the pace offensively for most of the game and delivered several key plays late, helping San Antonio steal a game in Oklahoma City.

​Harper’s confidence really stood out. The former highly touted prospect consistently pressured Oklahoma City’s defense—whether attacking Alex Caruso, using his Euro step to get to the paint or hitting his jumper. He looked comfortable operating and facilitating against one of the NBA’s best defensive teams.

​Late in the fourth quarter and overtime, Harper delivered some of the game’s biggest moments, knocking down clutch shots. It’s impressive considering he was the No. 2 pick out of Rutgers, right behind Cooper Flagg. That raises questions—regardless of whether the Spurs win the championship or lose the series—about Fox’s future, because Harper’s game has already progressed to the point where the team may not need Fox.

​Harper emerged as another dangerous weapon on a team already led by Victor Wembanyama. The Spurs now have Wembanyama, Stephon Castle and Harper, making them one of the NBA’s most promising young teams.

​Harper is just getting started and could be one of the defining young stars of this postseason—and for years to come.

Keldon Johnson was at what may have felt like him gelling into his role as a great sixth man player in his career after winning the NBA Sixth Man of the Year Award, but then his form has dropped ever since.

The talented San Antonio Spurs‘ sixth man has been struggling to replicate the kind of performance that got him the NBA Sixth Man award in the first place.

Johnson has had much lower stats since winning his award. His FG% through Game 5 against the Minnesota Timberwolves was 38.3%. This is a much lower number than his regular-season FG% of 51.9%.

This kind of award for a player can bring a lot of pressure, and it can affect form if the player is not up to facing it head-on. Sometimes, there is an adjustment period for a player to overcome the overwhelming pressure an award can bring. The postseason for Johnson has been underwhelming; in the first playoff series against the Portland Trail Blazers, they averaged only 6 points per game.

After moving on to the next round, the first four games against the Minnesota Timberwolves, there were improvements to his output, but still not enough to match the heights of what he is actually capable of as a player.

In the fifth game of the series, Johnson was unleashed, scoring 21 points against the Timberwolves. Not only was he doing what he does best off the bench offensively, but he was also providing defensive assistance, racking up two steals to add to his stats.

His ability to step up when starters need rest or are winding down in performance in later sections of the game has been key to the Spurs’ success in the regular season and again in the postseason. The NBA Sixth Man’s performance in this match against the Timberwolves is exactly the kind of performance that won him the award in the first place.

Going forward in the Spurs’ Game 6, if Keldon Johnson can maintain the kind of play he showed against the Timberwolves in Game 5, they can very well win and move on to the next round of the playoffs with a victory in Minnesota.

All Johnson has to do is continue with the intensity he showed in game five of this series and help his team with what he does best: score off the bench. The NBA Sixth Man award winner can show if he can help push his team through to the next round of playoffs on May 15 in Minnesota.

NBA officials have proposed a new draft lottery format called the “3-2-1 Draft Lottery,” designed to discourage tanking by reducing incentives for teams to lose games on purpose to improve their draft position.

Tanking has been an issue in the NBA for a long time, especially given the way the system currently functions. Teams that lose more and have worse records are rewarded with better lottery odds, creating an incentive to prioritize losing games over winning ones. While tanking is not a constant issue in the league it is commonly associated with teams in rebuilding phases.

A great example of this in NBA history is during the Philadelphia 76ers’ rebuilding period, known as the “Process” era. This franchise spent multiple seasons near the bottom of the standings and used the lottery draft system to help rebuild its roster. This caused the league to explore changes to the system multiple times.

NBA officials plan to implement the 3-2-1 Draft Lottery starting with the 2029 season. This system would adjust lottery odds among teams at the bottom of the standings so that the worst teams no longer automatically receive better odds for the number one overall draft pick.

The structure of the proposed 3-2-1 Draft Lottery, by contrast, would reduce the upside of finishing at the bottom of the standings or with the worst record among teams in the NBA. This proposal, brought by NBA officials, is intended to curb tanking by reducing the rewards for losing games later in the season.

Before being fully implemented during the 2029 season, the proposal needs to be approved by NBA team owners through a review process to become official.

If it is approved and adopted by the NBA, the 3-2-1 Lottery Draft would overhaul the current draft system that has already been changed many times in recent years.

After an embarrassing exit in the Eastern Conference Semifinals, the 76ers fired president of basketball operations Daryl Morey. However, head coach Nick Nurse will remain in Philadelphia for another season. Bob Myers will temporarily oversee operations until Morley’s replacement is hired.

Managing partner Josh Harris made the announcement Tuesday night through a statement.

“I have a tremendous amount of respect for Daryl personally and professionally, and I’m grateful for his contributions over the last six seasons,” Harris said. “After speaking with Daryl, we determined that it was time for a fresh start.”

Morey’s dismissal raised some skepticism about the team’s direction, given Nurse’s track record. Despite winning a title for the Toronto Raptors in 2019, Nurse has a 6-11 postseason record in his 76ers tenure. The 76ers also haven’t advanced past the second round during Morley’s tenure, increasing their conference finals drought to 25 years. Nurse compiled a 116-130 record in the last three seasons, including a 24-58 record last season.

This postseason, the 76ers came back from a 3-1 first-round deficit to defeat the Boston Celtics in seven games before losing in a four-game sweep to the New York Knicks the next round.

Ahead of the 2023-2024 season, James Harden criticized Morley during a promotional tour in China, telling spectators, “Daryl Morey is a liar, and I will never be a part of an organization that he’s a part of.”

Harden would be traded to the Los Angeles Clippers in October 2023 for a 2028 unprotected first-round pick and swap rights in 2029. The 76ers also acquired Nicolas Batum, Marcus Morris, Robert Covington and Kenyon Martin Jr.

Paul George and Joel Embiid were also signed to massive contracts in 2024. George, Embiid and Tyrese Maxey played together for only 43 games, with the trio owning a 21-22 record.

Ex-Baylor guard VJ Edgecombe was picked third overall in the 2025 draft. Edgecombe finished in third place in Rookie of the Year voting, behind Cooper Flagg and Kon Knueppel.

Time would tell whether Morey’s successor would initiate an organizational shakeup, but a lot of work would need to be done to undo the unfortunate events that happened under Morey.

Former NBA center Jason Collins passed away at 47 due to glioblastoma, an aggressive form of brain cancer, his family announced Tuesday. Collins announced the diagnosis in December and said that he was undergoing treatments.

“We are heartbroken to share that Jason Collins, our beloved husband, son, brother and uncle, has died after a valiant fight with glioblastoma,” Collins’ family said in a statement. “Jason changed lives in unexpected ways and was an inspiration to all who knew him and to those who admired him from afar. We are grateful for the outpouring of love and prayers over the past eight months, and for the exceptional medical care Jason received from his doctors and nurses. Our family will miss him dearly.”

>SPORTS LEGENDS WHO DIED IN 2026 – TRIBUTE SLIDESHOW!

Collins began his NBA career in 2001 after being drafted by the Houston Rockets 18th overall; he would be sent to the New Jersey Nets in a draft-night trade package so the Rockets could move up and select Eddie Griffin. Collins became an important piece of the Nets’ run to the 2002 NBA Finals; he averaged 2.4 rebounds and 2.9 points per game in 17 playoff games during the 2001-2002 season. He would bounce between five other teams from 2008-2013 before rejoining the Nets for the 2013-14 season.

The Stanford alum made history by being the first openly gay player across the four major North American men’s sports leagues. When he was a free agent, Collins wrote an essay that made the front cover of a Sports Illustrated magazine. Despite the strides of the gay rights movement, the essay came at a time when gay marriage was illegal in the United States, while American men’s professional sports had not historically been welcoming to gay athletes. Gay marriage was made legal in 2015.

Despite questions arising about whether the essay would end his career, Collins received support from numerous celebrities and sports figures.

President Barack Obama invited Collins to the 2014 State of the Union Address as a guest of the first lady, Michelle Obama. He would then be appointed to serve on President Obama’s Council on Fitness, Sports and Nutrition.

The positive perception from NBA athletes represented a shift in how gay people are viewed. For example, Los Angeles Lakers legend Kobe Bryant posted a social media message supporting Collins’ decision, despite being fined in 2011 after calling a referee an anti-gay slur.

“My message to other athletes is just be yourself,” Collins said after his first appearance with the Nets in February 2014. He added, “Never be afraid or ashamed or have any fear to be your true, authentic self.”

On Tuesday, Memphis Grizzlies forward Brandon Clarke passed away at 29 years old.

Clarke was found dead in his San Fernando Valley, California home, on Monday night. LAPD officials discovered narcotics at the scene; however, neither the Grizzlies nor Clarke’s agency, Priority Sports, revealed details about the nature of his death.

Clarke was due to appear in court in Arkansas next week to face charges of felony trafficking a controlled substance. Police say they found illegal drugs, including painkiller Kratom, during a traffic stop last month in his car.

>SPORTS LEGENDS WHO DIED IN 2026 – TRIBUTE SLIDESHOW!

“We are heartbroken by the tragic loss of Brandon Clarke. Brandon was an outstanding teammate and an even better person whose impact on the organization and the greater Memphis community will not be forgotten,” said the Grizzlies in a statement.

Clarke’s teammate, Jaren Jackson Jr., took to social media on Wednesday to mourn the tragic death of his teammate. “I couldn’t imagine a world where this was even a possibility. I love you forever, brother. This is absolutely devastating. I just wish I could talk to you,” wrote Jackson Jr. on social media Wednesday. “You were so much to so many and even more to me. I will never have the words to describe what this feels like. I still can’t believe this. To your family and friends and everyone, you were always a light, and you were always so genuine and real, and our friendship went far beyond anything on the court.”

Clarke began his collegiate career at San José State University, where he averaged 8.8 points and 5.6 rebounds per game in his first year. After the 2016-17 season, he would be redshirted for the 2017-18 season at Gonzaga before starting 36 games for the Bulldogs the following season. Clarke was a member of the 2018-2019 squad, where they finished 33-4 and made the Elite Eight.

The Gonzaga alum would have been selected by the Oklahoma City Thunder with the 21st overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft; Oklahoma City later dealt his draft rights to the Grizzlies.

“We are devastated to hear the news about Brandon,” Gonzaga coach Mark Few wrote in a statement. “He had such a kind, gentle and warm soul, and I will always remember the great smile he had on his face whenever you were around him. BC was one of the most easygoing players we have ever had, and he was part of one of the greatest teams in our program’s history.”

In the 2019-2020 season, Clarke finished fourth in Rookie of the Year voting, where he made a name for himself as a credible bench player. The forward averaged 12.1 points and 5.9 rebounds in 58 games that season. Clarke signed a four-year, $52 million extension with the team in October 2022; however, a season-ending Achilles tear in March 2023 would sideline the forward for the majority of the 2023-2024 season.

This postseason is shaping up to be a “make-or-break” for the Cavaliers based on their future trajectory.

Guard Donovan Mitchell could depart Cleveland if the Cavaliers fall short in the playoffs. The Eastern Conference is wide-open because Jayson Tatum is a month into his return and the Knicks have their inconsistencies. Detroit is the top seed at 60-22 and poses the biggest threat out of the East. The Cavaliers have a good chance to appear in the finals, an expectation that’s a factor in Michell’s decision to stay.

Fred Katz of The Athletic remarked that Cleveland will “discuss the possibility of trading Mitchell” over the summer if he opts not to sign an extension. The guard expressed his desire to remain in Cleveland on numerous occasions; this caused some to remain skeptical about this rumor because an early playoff exit may not be enough for a star player to pass up on a huge pay day.

Another factor that could affect Mitchell’s decision is whether or not the front office can afford to keep the current team intact for next season. James Harden is projected to decline his player option, while Evan Mobley, Max Strus and Dennis Schroder have high-paying contracts. Cleveland would surpass the second salary apron if all these players resign.

Time would tell if this rumor comes into fruition based on Cleveland’s postseason result, but things could turn in a heartbeat.

The Chicago Bulls and head coach Billy Donovan are going their separate ways after Donovan decided to step down after six seasons.

The Bulls announced this decision last month, adding that they wanted Donovan to remain the team’s head coach but respected his decision to step down. Donovan elected to step down following meetings with the Bulls’ ownership this past week.

“After a series of thoughtful and extensive discussions with ownership regarding the future of the organization, I have decided to step away as the head coach of the Chicago Bulls, to allow the search process to unfold,” Donovan said in a released statement.

“I believe it is in the best interest of the Bulls to allow the new leader to build out the staff as they see fit.”

The Bulls will be starting fresh next season after cleaning out the front office and bringing in a new head coach.

Despite cleaning house in the front office, Bulls owner Jerry Reinsdorf wanted Donovan to remain with the organization as they head in a new direction. “We wanted Billy to continue as our head coach — that was never in question.”

“But through honest conversations, we all agreed that giving our new Head of Basketball Operations the right to build out his staff was the most important thing for the future of this franchise. That is the kind of person Billy is – he put the Bulls first. We are deeply grateful for everything he has given to this organization.”

The Bulls even offered Donovan a managerial role if he wanted to move into a front office position, but Donovan thought it was best to move on.

Donovan made the playoffs just one time during his tenure in Chicago, but he remains a popular name in coaching cycles. Donovan’s name popped up during North Carolina’s coaching search before they decided to hire Michael Malone.

A move back to college could be in the cards for Donovan, as the Warriors are expected to pursue current Florida Gators head coach Todd Golden if Steve Kerr elects to retire, and that would create an opening for a potential reunion for Donovan and the Gators.

Former second overall pick in 2008, Michael Beasley, spoke to NFL Hall of Famer Shannon Sharpe in a recent interview on the Club Shay Shay podcast about his NBA career.

Beasley admitted that it is difficult to see players older than him still playing at an elite level in the NBA, despite not playing in the NBA since the 2018-2019 season.

When Beasley came out of Kansas State, he drew comparisons to Kevin Durant, who was drafted the year before him and is still playing and being named to All-Star games.

Beasley described it as “heartbreaking” as he thinks about what could have been if he reached his potential in the NBA.

He is still playing basketball, just not in the NBA, as he is part of the three-on-three BIG3 league owned by famous actor/musician Ice Cube. Beasley has been named BIG3 MVP twice and has also won a championship with the Chicago Triplets.

Beasley is focused on raising his kids and living his life, and said this when asked what he has been up to lately, “trying to raise my kids. Just playing, just going to the gym, hooping, paying $1,500 a month for a phone bill ’cause, you know, I got that many of them.” 

“I don’t care about this social media s—-. I don’t care about these podcasts or these Big3s. I was just—I was just happy being depressed about not being in the NBA.” 

Despite a narrow 108-102 Knicks victory, forward OG Anunoby exited late in Game 2 Wednesday night due to a leg injury.

Anunoby walked off the court warily and signaled to the bench that he needed to exit the game with 2:56 left in regulation. On Thursday, it was revealed that Anunoby was diagnosed with a hamstring injury, putting him at day-to-day status.

Anunoby scored 24 points, grabbed five rebounds, recorded four steals and blocked a shot. New York’s tight win puts them up 2-0 in their series against the 76ers. His loss will be a significant blow to the Knicks’ offense.

The forward was the team’s second-highest scorer behind Jalen Brunson and is the most efficient shooter, shooting 64% from the field. Brunson scored 26 points on 43% shooting and tallied six assists in Wednesday night’s win.

“We’ll see what it is, but it’s next man up,” Knicks forward Mikal Bridges remarked. Miles McBride is expected to take over in Anunoby’s absence, but others could see increased playing time in Game 3. Josh Hart could step into more defensive assignments, while Precious Achiuwa may see increased playing time.

During the 2024 Eastern Conference semifinals, Anunoby was sidelined from games 3-6 due to a left hamstring injury. He would play five minutes in Game 7 before being pulled; the Knicks lost to the Pacers 130-109.

The Knicks will travel to Philadelphia to face the 76ers in Game 3 on Friday night. Joel Embiid is listed day-to-day and could miss Game 3 depending on the status of his injuries. Embiid missed Game 2 due to right hip soreness and a right ankle sprain.

Los Angeles Lakers forward Jarred Vanderbilt suffered a horrific injury in Game 1 of the Western Conference Semifinals.

After attempting a block on Oklahoma City Thunder center Chet Holmgren, Vanderbilt dislocated his right pinkie after his hand got caught on the backboard midway through the second quarter. Holmgren made a dunk to put his team up 48-39.

The Lakers called for a timeout after they noticed Vanderbilt screaming in pain, bent over and holding his hand. The forward needed stitches postgame because the bone in his right pinkie broke skin. Vanderbilt exited the game after the timeout and was ruled out of returning.

“I had to go check on him because it just looked bad,” coach JJ Redick said postgame. “I mean, he was audibly screaming and you knew he had done something. So, we’re obviously disappointed that happened. It’s just a freak injury.”

“He’s tough as nails,” LeBron James remarked. “If Vando was in pain, then something actually really happened.” James scored 27 points on a 12-17 shooting performance Tuesday night.

Redick told the media that Vanderbilt was “in as good spirits as he can be” following his freak accident.

Vanderbilt’s injury further dents the Lakers’ playoff roster; phenom guard Luka Dončić remains inactive due to a hamstring injury. With these absences, the Lakers are in trouble in their series against the Thunder since they have a complete team on paper.

Oklahoma City cruised to victory in Game 1 despite Shai Gilgeous-Alexander having an “off-day.” Gilgeous-Alexander scored 18 points and recorded six assists in 35 minutes played.

Holmgren scored 24 points, grabbed 12 rebounds and blocked three shots, while Vanderbilt scored two points and grabbed a rebound in six minutes played.

The University of Kentucky alum will miss Game 2 on Thursday and possibly the remainder of the playoffs.