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Giri Nathan

Ja Morant of the Grizzlies scores the game-winning basket against the Pelicans

Ja Morant Returns, Lifts Grizzlies From Muck

Staff Writer
Find me on Signal @DefectorChris.19

Chris Thompson

Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla points in two directions while looking in a third.

This Is So Stupid

Do You Have What It Takes To Put Two On The Ball?

James Harden dribbles up the court while smiling.

This Might Be Working After All

Jordan Poole #13 of the Washington Wizards drives to the basket against Immanuel Quickley #5 of the New York Knicks in the second half during an NBA In-Season Tournament game at Capital One Arena on November 17, 2023 in Washington, DC. 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 Rob Carr/Getty Images)

Jordan Poole Slipped In His Own Slime

Patrick Redford

SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA - DECEMBER 16: Keegan Murray #13 of the Sacramento Kings (2nd L) reacts with teammates after making a three-point basket in the third quarter U at Golden 1 Center on December 16, 2023 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 Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)

Keegan Murray Changes Everything

The Detroit Pistons huddle before the game against the Milwaukee Bucks on December 16, 2023.

The Pee Stains Alone

Dave McKenna

Black and white photo of a basketball court

Ex-NBA Scout Pete Philo Convicted Of Sexual Assault Charges In North Carolina

Tom Ley

Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks exchanges words with Tyrese Haliburton #0 of the Indiana Pacers following a game at Fiserv Forum on December 13, 2023 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

The Fellas Got In A Big Fight Over A Ball

Luis Paez-Pumar

Dante Exum #0 of the Dallas Mavericks shoots the ball during the game against the Los Angeles Lakers on December 12, 2023 at the American Airlines Center in Dallas,

The Dream Of Dante Exum Is Alive Once Again

Draymond Green #23 of the Golden State Warriors reacts after being ejected for a flagrant foul during the second half of the NBA game against the Phoenix Suns at Footprint Center on December 12, 2023 in Phoenix, Arizona.

Draymond Green Delivers Spinning Backfist, Innovates In The Ejection Space

Ted Leonsis sits at a lectern emblazoned with Wizards logos.

Ted Leonsis Is Chasing A Wad Of Public Dough Out To The ‘Burbs

HOUSTON, TEXAS - DECEMBER 11: Victor Wembanyama #1 of the San Antonio Spurs grabs a rebound against the Houston Rockets during the second half at Toyota Center on December 11, 2023 in Houston, Texas. 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 Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)

Victor Wembanyama, Still Doing Unbelievable Stuff, Is Now Doing Normal Stuff Too

Zion Williamson Shows Signs Of Life After Nationwide Concern For His Conditioning

Maitreyi Anantharaman

Ja Morant demonstrates check ball situation for his attorney.

“Is A Basketball A Lethal Weapon?” And “Is Pulling Up Your Shorts A Fighting Stance?” Among Stupid Questions At Issue In Ja Morant Hearing

Columnist. Author of many <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Drew-Magary/e/B001JS8R52/ref=dp_byline_cont_pop_book_1">fine works of literature</a>, including Point B. Handsomest man in the world.

Drew Magary

Anthony Davis celebrates a basket during the Lakers' win over the Pacers in the final of the NBA's In-Season Tournament.

Can Anthony Davis Just Do That, Like, Every Game?

Rafi Kohan is an Atlanta-based writer and editor. His first book, The Arena, 
was a finalist for the 2018 PEN/ESPN Award for Literary Sports Writing. 
Previously, he has served as deputy editor at the New York Observer and as 
executive editorial director for the Atlantic’s creative studio, Re:think. His 
writing has appeared in numerous publications, including GQ, Men’s 
Journal, Rolling Stone, The Ringer, and the Wall Street Journal.

Rafi Kohan

Gary Payton of the Seattle SuperSonics sneering disdainfully at Jerry Stackhouse, who is trying to guard him in 2002. The cover of Rafi Kohan's book "Trash Talk" is at upper left.

Book Excerpts That Don't Suck

Gary Payton And The Art And Strategy Of “Talking Crazy”

Ray Ratto

Bilal Coulibaly #0 of the Washington Wizards battles for control of the ball against Isaiah Stewart #28 of the Detroit Pistons during the second half at Little Caesars Arena on November 27, 2023 in Detroit, Michigan. Washington won the game 126-107.

The In-Season Tournament For Even The Least Of Us

Pat McAfee conducts an interview with Adam Silver

Media Meltdowns

Adam Silver Can’t Resist Praising Henry Kissinger On ‘The Pat McAfee Show’

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - DECEMBER 04: &lt;&gt;during the NBA In-Season Tournament at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on December 04, 2023 in Indianapolis, Indiana. 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 Dylan Buell/Getty Images)

The Minor Stakes Of The NBA In-Season Tournament Have Led To Good, Silly Fun

Diana Moskovitz is Defector&#8217;s investigations editor. You can contact her at diana@defector.com or dfmoskovitz@protonmail.com. She&#8217;s also on Signal @dmoskovitz.99

Diana Moskovitz

Mitchell Robinson #23 of the New York Knicks smiles before the game against the Atlanta Hawks on November 2, 2022 at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York.

Things We Actually Like

This Cheesy Mitchell Robinson Blog Is For My Mom

Austin Reaves #15 of the Los Angeles Lakers is defended by Kevin Durant #35 and Devin Booker #1 of the Phoenix Suns in the second half during the 2023 NBA In-Season Tournament quarterfinals at Crypto.com Arena on December 05, 2023 in Los Angeles, California.

In-Season Tournament Gets Everyone’s Attention With A Glaring Officiating Fuck-Up

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - DECEMBER 4: Tyrese Haliburton #0 of the Indiana Pacers celebrates during the game against the Boston Celtics during the quarterfinals of the In-Season Tournament on December 4, 2023 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2023 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)

The Pacers Are Back, Or At Least Getting There

DENVER, COLORADO - NOVEMBER 29: Head coach Ime Udoka of the Houston Rockets watches as his team plays the Denver Nuggets in the third quarter at Ball Arena on November 29, 2023 in Denver, Colorado. 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 Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)

Ime Udoka Got Ejected For Being A Weird Asshole To LeBron James

SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 28: Draymond Green #23 of the Golden State Warriors reacts after receiving a technical foul in the fourth quarter against the Sacramento Kings during the NBA In-Season Tournament game at Golden 1 Center on November 28, 2023 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 Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)

Nobody Collapses Like The Warriors

Pistons players sit on the bench during a blowout

NBA