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Defector

Samer Kalaf

Oklahoma City Thunder mascot Bison performs during a break in play

Journalismism

Oklahoma Newspaper Deletes Column Comparing Thunder To Israel

Tom Ley

DETROIT, MICHIGAN - MAY 17: Jarrett Allen #31 of the Cleveland Cavaliers dunks the ball against the Detroit Pistons during the third quarter in Game Seven of the Second Round of the NBA Eastern Conference Playoffs at Little Caesars Arena on May 17, 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)

The Pistons Did Everything Wrong

Patrick Redford

San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama (1) and Minnesota Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert (27) embrace after the Spurs defeated the Timberwolves 139-109 in Game 6 of the Western Conference semifinals to clinch the series at Target Center in Minneapolis, Minn. on Friday, May 15, 2026. ]

These NBA Playoffs Have Been Fantastic

David Roth

Victor Wembanyama of the San Antonio Spurs reacts during the second quarter against the Minnesota Timberwolves in Game Five of the Second Round of the NBA Western Conference Playoffs on May 12, 2026.

Podcasts

The “Too Large” Gesture, With Patrick Redford

<p>Staff Writer</p>
<p>Find me on Signal @DefectorChris.19</p>


Chris Thompson

The Pistons Had Their Chances

SAN ANTONIO, TX -MAY 12: Victor Wembanyama #1 of the San Antonio Spurs shoots a foul shot after a technical was called against the Minnesota Timberwolves in the first half of Game Five of the Western Conference Semifinals NBA Playoffs at Frost Bank Center on May 12, 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 terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ronald Cortes/Getty Images)

Victor Wembanyama Must Be Seen To Be Believed

Los Angeles, CA - May 11: Oklahoma City Thunder guard Ajay Mitchell (25) drives past Los Angeles Lakers forward Rui Hachimura (28) in game four of the second round of the NBA playoffs in Los Angeles, CA on Monday, May 11, 2026. (Robert Gauthier/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)

Heaven Help Us, The Thunder Have Yet Another Dude

DENVER , CO - APRIL 27: Christian Braun (0) of the Denver Nuggets celebrates making a three pointer against the Minnesota Timberwolves during the fourth quarter of the Nuggets' 125-113 win in game five of their NBA Playoffs series on Monday, April 27, 2026. The Timberwolves lead 3-2 as they head back to Minneapolis for game six. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)

The Father Who Stepped Back, With Tom Krell

Ray Ratto

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - CIRCA 1990: The Rocky statue stands atop the Philadelphia Museum of Art steps in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1990. The statue of fictional character Rocky Balboa, as portrayed by actor Sylvester Stallone, was created for and used in the Rocky III movie. It was later located outside the Spectrum at the South Philadelphia Sports Complex. In 1990, it was temporarily moved to the top of the museum steps, which feature prominently in the original Rocky film, for the filming of Rocky V. In 2006, the statue was moved to a grassy area at street level on museum grounds. (Photo by James Drake/Getty Images)

Philadelphia Continues To Innovate In The Field Of Losing

The Timberwolves Were Elbowed And Kicked Back Into The Series

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

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

Cade Cunningham handles the basketball with Max Strus guarding.

The Pistons Are Getting Down To Business

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

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

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?

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

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.

nba playoffs