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Defector

Patrick Redford

MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - APRIL 23: Jaden McDaniels #3 and Ayo Dosunmu #13 of the Minnesota Timberwolves look on after Game Three of the First Round of the 2026 NBA Western Conference Playoffs against the Denver Nuggets at Target Center on April 23, 2026 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Timberwolves defeated the Nuggets 113-96. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by David Berding/Getty Images)

Jaden McDaniels Will Fight You Every Step Of The Way

Podcasts

Micro Aura Transgressions, With Giri Nathan

Ray Ratto

Head coach Billy Donovan of the Chicago Bulls calls a timeout during the second half against the Houston Rockets at the United Center on March 23, 2026.

Billy Donovan Hops Onto The NBA’s Slow-Moving Coaching Carousel

SAN ANTONIO, TX -APRIL 21: Victor Wembanyama #1 of the San Antonio Spurs holds his head after falling to the court against the Portland Trailblazers in the first half of Game Two of the Western Conference First Round NBA Playoffs at Frost Bank Center on April 21, 2026 in San Antonio, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ronald Cortes/Getty Images)

The Scariest Part Of A Concussion Is The Uncertainty

Giri Nathan

Tom Dundon, Portland Trail Blazers owner (C), speaks as alternate governors Sheel Tyle (L) and Andrew Cherng (R) listen during a press conference before a game against the New Orleans Pelicans at Moda Center on April 02, 2026 in Portland, Oregon. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Soobum Im/Getty Images)

Tom Dundon Applies His Chintzy Tactics To The Trail Blazers

Tom Ley

CJ McCollum dribbles past Karl-Anthony Towns

Madison Square Garden Has A Reluctant New Villain

Ben Dowsett is a freelance technology and sports nerd based in Utah. His other recent work can be found at Wired, ESPN and elsewhere.

Ben Dowsett

The Block, As Remembered By The Guy Who Called It And The Guy Who Let It Be

Victor Wembanyama dribbles towards Deni Avdija

Victor Wembanyama’s Playoff Debut Was Worth The Wait

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 18: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts after making a three point shot during the second half of Game One of the First Round of the NBA Western Conference Playoffs against the Houston Rockets at Crypto.com Arena on April 18, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)

LeBron James Still Has It

Defector Staff

Hark! Follow The Sounding Of The Horns To The 2026 NBA Playoff Preview

Israel Daramola

LaMelo Ball Gets Let Off The Hook

The Warriors’ Old Guys Showed Up When It Mattered Most

Staff Writer
Find me on Signal @DefectorChris.19

Chris Thompson

Doc Rivers Ends Bucks Tenure That Was A Huge Waste Of Everyone’s Time

Julian Reese of the Washington Wizards and Lachlan Olbrich #47 of the Chicago Bulls fight for the ball during the second half at Capital One Arena on April 9, 2026 in Washington, DC.

And Now It Is Time To Forget The NBA’s Regular Season

SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 13: Sacramento Kings owner Vivek Ranadivé watches the Kings play the Phoenix Suns at Golden 1 Center on November 13, 2024 in Sacramento, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

NBA Investigates Kings For Tanking, Determines That They’re Just Ass

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - APRIL 09: Tyson Etienne #10 of the Brooklyn Nets and Jalen Slawson #18 of the Indiana Pacers battle for possession during the second half at Barclays Center on April 09, 2026 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jordan Bank/Getty Images)

Do You Know These Men?

PORTLAND, OREGON - MARCH 21: Darius Acuff Jr. #5 of the Arkansas Razorbacks looks on against the High Point Panthers during the second half in the second round of the 2026 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Moda Center on March 21, 2026 in Portland, Oregon. (Photo by Soobum Im/Getty Images)

A Post-Tournament Prospect Prospectus, With David Roth

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 16: Cade Cunningham #2 of the Detroit Pistons and Kenny's Young Stars drives past Victor Wembanyama #1 of the San Antonio Spurs and Chuck's Global Stars during the 74th NBA All-Star Game at Chase Center on February 16, 2025 in San Francisco, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

The 65-Game Rule Exacerbates The Fake Problem It Was Intended To Solve

Giannis Antetokounmpo sits on the sideline, in street clothes.

Giannis Antetokounmpo And The Bucks Are Feuding Right To The End

Luka Doncic of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts after a play during the second half against the Oklahoma City Thunder at the Paycom Center on April 2, 2026 in Oklahoma City. This is the play in which he hurt his hamstring.

A Vengeful Deity Is Smiting The Lakers

Victor Wembanyama holds up a finger, possibly in celebration.

Victor Wembanyama Fattened Up At The Shrimp Buffet

Houston Rockets Kenny Smith (C) gets squeezed out on a screen play by Seattle Supersonic Detlef Schrempf (R) as his teammate Gary Payton (L) dribbles past during game one of their Western Conference semifinal series on May 4 in Seattle.

A Basketball Team Can Be Sold, But Who Owns Its History?

Jaden Ivey Lost His Mind And Then His Job

of the New York Knicks of the Utah Jazz at Madison Square Garden on November 9, 2009 in New York, New York.

Critical New Jersey Hoops Survey, With Papo2oo4

Forward Scottie Barnes #4 of the Toronto Raptors blocks guard Desmond Bane #3 of the Orlando Magic and forward Sandro Mamukelashvili #54 of the Toronto Raptors as the Toronto Raptors beat the Orlando Magic 139-87 in a game that included a 31-0 run by the Toronto Raptors at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto. March 29, 2026.

NBA