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Defector

Patrick Redford

DETROIT, MICHIGAN - MAY 07: James Harden #1 of the Cleveland Cavaliers looks on during the second quarter of a game against the Detroit Pistons in Game Two of the Second Round of the NBA Eastern Conference Playoffs at Little Caesars Arena on May 07, 2026 in Detroit, Michigan. 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 Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

James Harden Is Powering Down

PORTLAND, OREGON - APRIL 26: Dylan Harper #2 of the San Antonio Spurs looks on prior to Game Four of the Western Conference First Round Playoffs against the Portland Trail Blazers at Moda Center on April 26, 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)

Dylan Harper Is Ready For The Moment

Podcasts

We Can’t Grow The Game Like This, With Danny Of Who’s Next

Staff Writer
Find me on Signal @DefectorChris.19

Chris Thompson

Cade Cunningham handles the basketball with Max Strus guarding.

The Pistons Are Getting Down To Business

Tom Ley

The Minnesota Timberwolves Cannot Be Doubted

Giri Nathan

Jaylen Brown streaming on Twitch after his first-round playoff loss

Jaylen Brown Follows Up Playoff Collapse With Streamer Tantrum

DETROIT, MICHIGAN - MAY 03: Daniss Jenkins #24, Cade Cunningham #2, Tobias Harris #12 and Ausar Thompson #9 of the Detroit Pistons celebrate a basket against Paolo Banchero #5 of the Orlando Magic during the second quarter in Game Seven of the First Round of the NBA Eastern Conference Playoffs at Little Caesars Arena on May 03, 2026 in Detroit, Michigan. 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 Nic Antaya/Getty Images)

Fraud Allegations Against Pistons Dismissed

Ray Ratto

Tyrese Maxey #0 of the Philadelphia 76ers reacts during the first half of a game against the Boston Celtics in Game Six of the First Round of the NBA Eastern Conference Playoffs.

The Sixers And Flyers Claim Home Court Over Bruce Springsteen

Nikola Jokic (15), Jamal Murray (27) and Tim Hardaway Jr. (10) of the Denver Nuggets walk to the bench for a timeout as the Minnesota Timberwolves celebrate during the third quarter of the Timberwolves' 110-98 Game 6 first round NBA Playoffs series win at the Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota on Thursday, April 30, 2026. Minnesota eliminated the Nuggets 4-2. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)

The Nuggets Went Out Like Suckers

Albert Burneko

There’s Never A Bad Time To Gawk At Young Shaq Highlights

Jose Alvarado #5 of the New York Knicks celebrates a three point basket against the Atlanta Hawks during the second half of a game in Game Six of the First Round of the NBA Eastern Conference Playoffs on April 30, 2026.

Sheesh!

Mitchell Robinson staring at the camera, with the caption "Fire in my eyes"

Everything OK Over There, Mitchell Robinson?

David Roth

Miami Heat guard Tim Hardaway (L) watches New York Knicks' center Charles Oakley (C) and Miami Heat center PJ Brown (R) go for a rebound in second period action of their game 12 April at the Miami Arena.

Getting Kicked In The Back By P.J. Brown

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - MAY 12: Players, team members and other participants gather to attend the NBA Draft Lottery in Chicago, Illinois, United States on May 12, 2025. (Photo by Jacek Boczarski/Anadolu via Getty Images)

The NBA’s Lottery Reform Proposal Will Change, But Not Eliminate, Tanking

Investigations Editor. You can contact her at diana@defector.com or dfmoskovitz@protonmail.com. She&#8217;s also on Signal @dmoskovitz.99

Diana Moskovitz

Former NBA player and assistant coach Damon Jones leaves the federal courthouse in Brooklyn, New York on April 28, 2026. He wore a black suit and has several news photographers around him.

Prosecutors Got A Guilty Plea In The NBA Gambling Case

MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - APRIL 25: Anthony Edwards #5 of the Minnesota Timberwolves reacts to an apparent injury against the Denver Nuggets in the second quarter of Game Four of the First Round of the 2026 NBA Western Conference Playoffs at Target Center on April 25, 2026 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Timberwolves defeated the Nuggets 112-96. 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)

Breaking Down The NBA’s Injury And Jeffrey Epstein Issues, With Henry Abbott

Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers reacts against Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics during the first quarter in Game Five

Joel Embiid Stuns In New Upright Look

ORLANDO, FL - APRIL 27: Wendell Carter Jr. #34 of the Orlando Magic dives for a loose ball during the first half of game four of the first round of the Eastern Conference Playoffs against the Detroit Pistons at the Kia Center on April 27, 2026 in Orlando, Florida. The Magic defeated the Pistons 94 to 88 to take a 3-1 lead in the series. 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 Don Juan Moore/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Wendell Carter Jr.

The Magic Are Winning The Beef War

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

An illustration of a referee's shirt with an absurd number of military-style medals pinned to it

One Of The NBA’s Most Important Jobs May Be Headed Toward A Crisis

PORTLAND, OREGON - APRIL 26: De'Aaron Fox #4 of the San Antonio Spurs walks off the court after a 114-93 win over the Portland Trail Blazers in Game Four of the Western Conference First Round Playoffs at Moda Center on April 26, 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)

De’Aaron Fox Makes The Game Fun For The Spurs

HOUSTON, TEXAS - APRIL 26: Amen Thompson #1 celebrates with Reed Sheppard #15 of the Houston Rockets as LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on during the first half in Game Four of the First Round of the NBA Western Conference Playoffs at Toyota Center on April 26, 2026 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 Tim Warner/Getty Images)

Rockets Put Selves In Fine Position For Gentleman’s Sweep

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

Report: Victor Wembanyama Cleared To Play Game 4

Israel Daramola

Paolo Banchero backs down in the post in Game 3 against Detroit.

Is Magic-Pistons The Most Interesting Series So Far?

Ayo Dosunmu celebrates against the Denver Nuggets

Ayo Dosunmu Had Himself A Game

ATLANTA, GEORGIA - APRIL 23: Jalen Brunson #11 of the New York Knicks reacts on the bench after a go-ahead basket by CJ McCollum #3 of the Atlanta Hawks in the final seconds of the fourth quarter of game three of the Eastern Conference first round playoffs at State Farm Arena on April 23, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. 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 Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

NBA