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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

NYC: Come To Our WNBA Comedy Show On July 15

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Live Event

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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.

Oklahoma City Thunder v Minnesota Timberwolves – Game Three

Podcasts

Activating The Dunk Machine

Staff Writer
Find me on Signal @DefectorChris.09

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Chris Thompson

Thunder players smile on the sideline during their victory.

OKC Thunder

Abandon All Hope, Ye Who Enter Oklahoma City

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Tom Ley

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander #2 of the Oklahoma City Thunder shoots the ball against Julius Randle #30 and Donte DiVincenzo #0 of the Minnesota Timberwolves during the first quarter in Game Four of the Western Conference Finals of the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Target Center on May 26, 2025 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. 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.

Oklahoma City Thunder v Minnesota Timberwolves – Game Four

That’s What We All Want To See

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Ray Ratto

Brad Marchand #63 of the Florida Panthers fights with Shayne Gostisbehere #4 of the Carolina Hurricanes during the third period in Game One of the Eastern Conference Final of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs on May 20, 2025.

Florida Panthers v Carolina Hurricanes – Game One

For The Panthers And Thunder, The Worse The Better

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Makes It Feel Bad

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Patrick Redford

MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - JANUARY 20: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander #2 of the Oklahoma City Thunder reacts to Anthony Edwards #5 of the Minnesota Timberwolves in the third quarter at Target Center on January 20, 2024 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Thunder defeated the Timberwolves 102-97. 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)

Oklahoma City Thunder v Minnesota Timberwolves

Two Of Basketball’s Brightest Young Stars Will Compete For More Than A Trip To The Finals

Draymond Green #23 of the Golden State Warriors dribbles the ball against Julius Randle #30 of the Minnesota Timberwolves during the third quarter in Game Four of the Western Conference Second Round NBA Playoffs at Chase Center on May 12, 2025 in San Francisco, 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.

Minnesota Timberwolves v Golden State Warriors – Game Four

Physicality Is Where Basketball Lives And Careers Die

Rudy Gobert

Big Lakers Ambitions Squished By, Of All People, Rudy Gobert

Luka and LeBron

JJ Redick Pushed The Panic Button And Lost Anyway

Los Angeles, CA - April 19: Minnesota Timberwolves bench reacts after a basket as Austin Reaves #15 of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on in the second half of a first round game one NBA basketball game at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles on Saturday, April 19, 2025. (Photo by Keith Birmingham/MediaNews Group/Pasadena Star-News via Getty Images)

Minnesota Timberwolves defeated the Los Angeles Lakers 117-95 to win game one of a first round NBA basketball game

The Lakers Have Bigger Problems Than Luka Doncic Can Fix

Head coach Chris Finch of the Minnesota Timberwolves leaves the court after a game against the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center on February 21, 2025 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 Alex Slitz/Getty Images)

Minnesota Timberwolves v Houston Rockets

The Timberwolves Collapsed In The Worst Way At The Worst Time

James Harden shoots against Kai Jones of the Dallas Mavericks during the second half of a game in April 5, 2025 in Inglewood, California.

Dallas Mavericks v Los Angeles Clippers

The Western Conference Is Heading Into A Week Of Glorious Chaos

Russell Westbrook #4 of the Denver Nuggets fouls Nickeil Alexander-Walker #9 of the Minnesota Timberwolves on a three point attempt as time expires in the double overtime period resulting in a game winning free throw by Alexander-Walker at Ball Arena on April 1, 2025 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.

Minnesota Timberwolves v Denver Nuggets

Noooo, Russell Westbrook, Don’t Do That! Nooooo, Don’t Do That Either!

Ronald Holland II #00 of the Detroit Pistons and Donte DiVincenzo #0 of the Minnesota Timberwolves fight in the second quarter. Holland II and DiVincenzo were ejected from the game at Target Center on March 30, 2025 in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Detroit Pistons v Minnesota Timberwolves

The Season Is Too Long, And Everybody Is Cranky

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander #2 of the Oklahoma City Thunder in action during the second half of a game against the Utah Jazz at Delta Center on February 21, 2025 in Salt Lake City, Utah. 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 Alex Goodlett/Getty Images)

Oklahoma City Thunder v Utah Jazz

The Thunder Need Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s Greatness To Be Enough

MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - MARCH 31: Majority owner Glen Taylor of the Minnesota Timberwolves looks on prior to the start of the game against the Chicago Bulls at Target Center on March 31, 2024 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. 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)

Chicago Bulls v Minnesota Timberwolves

The Ridiculous Timberwolves Ownership Saga’s End Is In Sight

Dillon Brooks and Anthony Edwards look at each other.

Dillon Brooks and Anthony Edwards

Dillon Brooks Will Continue Poking Bears Until He’s Left With Bloody Stumps

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Giri Nathan

MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - NOVEMBER 17: Julius Randle #30 of the Minnesota Timberwolves interacts with Rudy Gobert #27 in the third quarter against the Phoenix Suns at Target Center on November 17, 2024 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Timberwolves defeated the Suns 120-117. 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)

Phoenix Suns v Minnesota Timberwolves

Rudy Gobert Found A New Guy To Annoy

Karl-Anthony Towns #32 of the Minnesota Timberwolves warms up prior to Game Five of the Western Conference Finals against the Dallas Mavericks at Target Center on May 30, 2024 in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Karl-Anthony Towns

The Knicks And Wolves Made The Confusing Trade We Expect From Them

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JUNE 26: Rob Dillingham arrives prior to the first round of the 2024 NBA Draft at Barclays Center on June 26, 2024 in the Brooklyn borough of 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)

2024 NBA Draft – Round One

The New CBA Is Already Making NBA Teams Squirm

MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - MAY 30: Luka Doncic #77 of the Dallas Mavericks celebrates during the fourth quarter against the Minnesota Timberwolves in Game Five of the Western Conference Finals at Target Center on May 30, 2024 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. 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)

Dallas Mavericks v Minnesota Timberwolves – Game Five

The Mavericks Have Met The Moment

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Justin Ellis

A photo of the scoreboard screen at the Target Center in Minneapolis displaying the words "Bring Ya Ass"

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Whomst Has Brought The Ass?

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

PHOENIX, ARIZONA - APRIL 28: Anthony Edwards #5 of the Minnesota Timberwolves slam dunks the ball ahead of Bradley Beal #3 of the Phoenix Suns during the second half of game four of the Western Conference First Round Playoffs at Footprint Center on April 28, 2024 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Timberwolves defeated the Suns 122-116 and win the series 4-0. 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 Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

Minnesota Timberwolves v Phoenix Suns – Game Four

More Ant Dunks!

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

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The Timberwolves Have Not Yet Surprised Themselves

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

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