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This is Defector, a new sports blog and media company. We made this place together, we own it together, we run it together. Without access, without favor, without discretion, and without interference.

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Defector

You DID Hear It From Us: There's Normal Gossip Merch

NEW NORMAL GOSSIP MERCH!

Merch v3

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Albert Burneko

Myles Turner #33 of the Indiana Pacers drives to the basket during the game against the New York Knicks during Round 2 Game 7 of the 2024 NBA Playoffs on May 19, 2024.

Knicks Pacers Game 7

The Pacers Simply Ran Away

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Chris Thompson

Anthony Edwards and Karl-Anthony Towns sit at the post-game press conference.

ANT and KAT

The Timberwolves Have Not Yet Surprised Themselves

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Tom Ley

Jamal Murray (27) of the Denver Nuggets shoots over Karl-Anthony Towns (32) of the Minnesota Timberwolves during the second quarter at Ball Arena in Denver on Sunday, May 19, 2024.

DENVER NUGGETS VS MINNESOTA TIMBERWOLVES, NBA

Minnesota Has The Bedrock

P.J. Washington #25 of the Dallas Mavericks shoots a free throw during the fourth quarter against the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game Six of the Western Conference Second Round Playoffs.

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Thunder–Mavericks Deserved A Better Ending

Anthony Edwards holds up seven fingers to indicate a Game 7.

Anthony Edwards Game 7

That Was Violence!

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Samer Kalaf

Al Horford reacts during the Boston Celtics' Game 5 against the Cleveland Cavaliers

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The Celtics Are Waiting For A Real Challenge

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Giri Nathan

Jalen Brunson #11 of the New York Knicks shoots the ball during the game against the Indiana Pacers

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Jalen Brunson Might Be Sore, But He Can Still Cook The Pacers

Nikola Jokic (15) of the Denver Nuggets shoots over Rudy Gobert (27) of the Minnesota Timberwolves during the second quarter at Ball Arena in Denver on Tuesday, May 14, 2024.

No Weapon Formed Against Nikola Jokic Shall Prosper

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Patrick Redford

DALLAS, TX - MAY 13: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander #2 of the Oklahoma City Thunder stands for the National Anthem before the game against the Dallas Mavericks during Round 2 Game 4 of the 2024 NBA Playoffs on May 13, 2024 at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2024 NBAE (Photo by Logan Riely/NBAE via Getty Images)

2024 NBA Playoffs – Oklahoma City Thunder v Dallas Mavericks

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander And The Thunder Passed Their First Real Test

Isaiah Hartenstein #55 of the New York Knicks &amp; Josh Hart #3 of the New York Knicks help Jalen Brunson #11 of the New York Knicks up during the game against the Indiana Pacers during Round 2 Game 4 of the 2024 NBA Playoffs on May 12, 2024 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 2024 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)

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The Knicks Are Decaying Rapidly

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The Timberwolves Had A Very Bad 20 Seconds

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - MAY 9: Kyrie Irving #11 of the Dallas Mavericks looks on during the game against the Oklahoma City Thunder during Round Two Game Two of the 2024 NBA Playoffs on May 9, 2024 at Paycom Arena in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. 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 2024 NBAE (Photo by Zach Beeker/NBAE via Getty Images)

2024 NBA Playoffs – Dallas Mavericks v Oklahoma City Thunder

Kyrie Irving Is Right Where He Needs To Be

Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Cleveland Cavaliers three point basket during the game against the Boston Celtics during Round 2 Game 2 of the 2024 NBA Playoffs on May 9, 2024.

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One Unsustainable Trick To Beating The Boston Celtics

Indiana Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle argues a call with referee Josh Tiven #58 during the fourth quarter against the New York Knicks in Game Two of the Eastern Conference Second Round Playoffs on May 08, 2024 in New York City.

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Rick Carlisle Doesn’t Believe This Shit

Gordon Hayward #33 of the Oklahoma City Thunder arrives to the arena before the game against the New Orleans Pelicans during Round 1 Game 4 of the 2024 NBA Playoffs on April 29, 2024 at the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, Louisiana.

2024 NBA Playoffs – Oklahoma City Thunder v New Orleans Pelicans

Gordon Hayward Is The Low-Effort King Of The Playoffs

Investigations Editor. You can reach her at diana@defector.com or, if you prefer protonmail, dfmoskovitz@protonmail.com. If security is a concern, download the Signal app and send her a text at 929-251-8187.

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Diana Moskovitz

Bradley Beal #3, Josh Okogie #2, Isaiah Thomas #4 and Thaddeus Young #30 of the Phoenix Suns react on the bench during the second half of game four of the Western Conference First Round Playoffs at Footprint Center on April 28, 2024 in Phoenix, Arizona. They all look very sad.

Sad Phoenix Suns

A Post-Season Debrief With The World’s (Still) Most Pessimistic Suns Fan

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Barry Petchesky

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MAY 06: Pascal Siakam #43 of the Indiana Pacers reacts after a play during the second half in Game One of the Eastern Conference Second Round Playoffs against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden on May 06, 2024 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 Sarah Stier/Getty Images)

Indiana Pacers v New York Knicks – Game One

A Humble Knicks Fan’s Take On The Officiating In Game 1

Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets attempts to pass over Karl-Anthony Towns #32 and Naz Reid #11 of the Minnesota Timberwolves during the first quarter in Game Two of the Western Conference Second Round Playoffs at Ball Arena on May 06, 2024 in Denver, Colorado.

Minnesota Timberwolves v Denver Nuggets – Game Two

The Nuggets Have Been Exposed For All To See

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Ray Ratto

Philadelphia 76ers v New York Knicks – Game Two

Basketball Is Just Better Without The Noise

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.

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Drew Magary

Anthony Edwards #5 of the Minnesota Timberwolves shoots the ball over Jamal Murray #27 of the Denver Nuggets during the game during Round 2 Game 1 of the 2024 NBA Playoffs on May 4, 2024 at the Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado.

2024 NBA Playoffs – Minnesota Timberwolves v Denver Nuggets

Anthony Edwards Is Forcing Me To Say The Unsayable

Milwaukee Bucks guard Patrick Beverley makes a thumbs up sign while waiting during free throws in an Eastern Conference Playoff game against the Indiana Pacers.

Indiana Pacers v Milwaukee Bucks – Game One

Patrick Beverley Commits To Tantrum-Based Marketing For His Podcast

PHILADELPHIA, PA - MAY 2: Jalen Brunson #11 of the New York Knicks walks off the court after the game against the Philadelphia 76ers during Round 1 Game 6 of the 2024 NBA Playoffs on May 2, 2024 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 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 2024 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)

2024 NBA Playoffs – New York Knicks v Philadelphia 76ers

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Michael Rubin Only Made Sure More Sixers Fans Could Watch Their Team Lose

The Scrappy Knicks Finally Sent The 76ers To The Grave

LOS ANGELES, CA - MAY 1: Paul George #13 of the LA Clippers &amp; James Harden #1 of the LA Clippers looks on during the game against the Dallas Mavericks during Round 1 Game 5 of the 2024 NBA Playoffs on May 1, 2024 at Crypto.Com Arena in Los Angeles, 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2024 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)

2024 NBA Playoffs- Dallas Mavericks v Los Angeles Clippers

It Is Happening Again To The Clippers

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David Roth

Josh McRoberts of the Miami Heat attacks the hoop in a game agains the Blazers at the Moda Center in Portland in December of 2016.

Miami Heat v Portland Trail Blazers

Podcasts

Josh McRoberts Reconsidered, With Rohan Nadkarni

2024 nba playoffs