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Defector

Giri Nathan

Knicks fans watch Game 5 of the NBA Finals at Frost Bank Center in San Antonio on Saturday, June 13, 2026. (Katina Zentz/San Antonio Express-News via Getty Images)

The Circus Came To San Antonio

Albert Burneko

Victor Wembanyama sitting dejectedly on the floor with his hands over his face during a stoppage in play in the fourth quarter against the New York Knicks in Game Five of the 2026 NBA Finals on June 13, 2026 in San Antonio, Texas.

Whither Wemby?

Barry Petchesky

SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS - JUNE 13: Jalen Brunson #11 of the New York Knicks shoots the ball past Stephon Castle #5 of the San Antonio Spurs during the fourth quarter in Game Five of the 2026 NBA Finals at Frost Bank Center on June 13, 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 the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

Jalen Brunson Is New York’s Exorcist

Casa Magazines staffer Mirza Ayan Baig holds up a recent Knicks front page.

The Knicks’ Finals Run Has Even Made Print Media Hot

Staff Writer
Find me on Signal @DefectorChris.19

Chris Thompson

We’ve Arrived At The “Nitpicking The Officiating” Portion Of The Finals

Patrick Redford

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JUNE 08: Jalen Brunson #11 of the New York Knicks lands on the scorers table as Devin Vassell #24 of the San Antonio Spurs reacts during the fourth quarter in Game Three of the 2026 NBA Finals at Madison Square Garden on June 08, 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 Al Bello/Getty Images)

The Knicks Stopped Moving And Died

Israel Daramola

The Knicks Know Something About Pressure

Jalen Brunson drives the ball against De'Aaron Fox

Jalen Brunson Finished Off A Karl-Anthony Towns Master Class

The Knicks Have All The Juice

Tom Ley

The Knicks Made A Delicious Meal Out Of James Harden

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)

Don’t Make The Tiny Man Dribble While Everyone Else Stands Still

CJ McCollum dribbles past Karl-Anthony Towns

Madison Square Garden Has A Reluctant New Villain

Golden State Warriors' Draymond Green blocks a shot by New York Knicks' Karl-Anthony Towns in 4th quarter of 126-113 win

The Knicks Are Exuding Toilet Aromas

Owen Lewis is a former Defector intern and has written for The Guardian, The Second Serve, The Athletic, and other publications.

Owen Lewis

Tyrese Haliburton of the Indiana Pacers looks on in street clothes during player introductions before a game against the Detroit Pistons

Following The Damned Pacers Through The Pits Of Hell

Rachelle Hampton

Josh Hart #3 and Jalen Brunson #11 of the New York Knicks talk against the Indiana Pacers

Thank God Jalen Brunson And Josh Hart Are Kind Of Boring

Ray Ratto

Tyrese Haliburton #0 of the Indiana Pacers attempts a pass against the New York Knicks during the first quarter in Game Four of the Eastern Conference Finals of the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on May 27, 2025 in Indianapolis, Indiana.

They Can’t All Be Thrillers

David Roth

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of the Oklahoma City Thunder looks to his right, seemingly at The Distraction logo, with a towel over his shoulder, after the team's Game 4 loss in the Western Conference Finals.

Podcasts

Activating The Dunk Machine

Jayson Tatum holds up three fingers to celebrate making a three-pointer in a game in which the Celtics missed an NBA playoff–record 45 threes, and lost in overtime.

The Celtics Will Just Keep Doing This Until We Are All Driven Insane

Jalen Brunson #11 of the New York Knicks celebrates after making a three-point basket late during the fourth quarter against the Detroit Pistons in Game Six of the Eastern Conference First Round NBA Playoffs at Little Caesars Arena on May 01, 2025 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.

Jalen Brunson Got Away Clean

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - APRIL 21: Jalen Brunson #11 of the New York Knicks and Ausar Thompson #9 of the Detroit Pistons react after a call during the fourth quarter in Game Two of the Eastern Conference First Round NBA Playoffs at Madison Square Garden on April 21, 2025 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 Al Bello/Getty Images)

Jalen Brunson Is The NBA’s Premier Falling-Down Artist

Jalen Brunson #11 of the New York Knicks celebrates a call in the first quarter against the Houston Rockets at Madison Square Garden on February 03, 2025 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 Elsa/Getty Images)

Jalen Brunson Plays Like A Rolling Rock

Donte DiVincenzo talks with Josh Hart of the New York Knicks. Both are standing on the court, looking at something to the left off camera.

The Trade Is The Cruelest Thing In Sports

Jalen Brunson, Donte DiVincenzo, Mikal Bridges, and Josh Hart on a FaceTime call after the Knicks traded for Mikal Bridges.

The Knicks Spend Five First-Round Picks On A College Reunion

Jalen Brunson and Josh Hart look up during the Knicks' Game 7 loss to the Pacers

For Once, The Knicks Can Avoid An Offseason Existential Crisis

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.

Jalen Brunson