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Ray Ratto

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!

Staff Writer
Find me on Signal @DefectorChris.19

Chris Thompson

Elly De La Cruz is showered in $100 bills after socking a dinger.

O’s, No!

Day'Ron Sharpe #20 of the Brooklyn Nets drives to the basket against Bones Hyland #5 of the Los Angeles Clippers during the fourth quarter at Intuit Dome on January 15, 2025.

It Doesn’t Get Any Less Essential Than Nets-Clippers

Boston Celtics center Al Horford (second from left) and the bench react to a slam dunk by Boston Celtics guard Svi Mykhailiuk (not pictured) in the fourth quarter. The Celtics beat the Golden State Warriors, 140-88.

The Celtics Served The Warriors A Beating, And The NBA A Message

Dan McQuade was a founding member of Defector. He died in January 2026.

Dan McQuade

Basketball court. TV screenshot. One team (Portland State) is up 38-0 on Portland Bible College. It's center court, a Bible player bringing it up the court.

SPORTS

CULTURE

OTHER

blowouts

Sheesh!

O’s, No!

It Doesn’t Get Any Less Essential Than Nets-Clippers

The Celtics Served The Warriors A Beating, And The NBA A Message

Portland Bible’s Loss Was By The Book

OKC Laid A Real Thunderfart

This Is The Weird And Bad Part Of The NBA Slog