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Defector

Luis Paez-Pumar

Tyrese Haliburton #0 of the Indiana Pacers grabs the ball against Mikal Bridges #25 of the New York Knicks during the first quarter in Game Six of the Eastern Conference Finals of the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on May 31, 2025 in Indianapolis, Indiana.

The Pacers Were Just Too Much To Handle

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

Albert Burneko

Tyrese Haliburton #0 of the Indiana Pacers attempts a jump shot against Jalen Brunson #11 of the New York Knicks during the fourth quarter in Game Four of the Eastern Conference Finals of the 2025 NBA Playoffs on May 27, 2025 in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Faster Is Better

Tom Ley

Tracy Morgan, Timothee Chalamet and Ben Stiller attend Game One of the Eastern Conference Finals of the 2025 NBA Playoffs between the New York Knicks and the Indiana Pacers at Madison Square Garden on May 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.

Congratulations, You Are Officially Having A Better Day Than Several Celebrities

Staff Writer
Find me on Signal @DefectorChris.19

Chris Thompson

The Pacers celebrate Tyrese Haliburton's buzzer-beater.

What The Hell Is Going On Here?

Diana Moskovitz is Defector&#8217;s investigations editor. You can contact her at diana@defector.com or dfmoskovitz@protonmail.com. She&#8217;s also on Signal @dmoskovitz.99

Diana Moskovitz

Actor Timothee Chalamet and director Spike Lee celebrate after the New York Knicks defeated the Boston Celtics in Game Four of the Eastern Conference Second Round NBA Playoffs at Madison Square Garden on May 12, 2025 in New York City.

Timothée Chalamet Is In His Sports Bro Era

Jayson Tatum attempts a three-pointer in Game 3.

Celtics Flatten Knicks By Sticking To The Formula

New York Knicks forward Mikal Bridges blocks a shot by Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum at the end of Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals at TD Garden.

Mikal Bridges Is Making A Meal Of The Celtics’ Mess

A four-square of Brian Windhorst talking, with a little Windy in the middle as well

This Is So Stupid

Allowing For Various Metaphors

Mikal Bridges celebrates after making a three-point basket against the Boston Celtics during the third quarter in Game One of the Eastern Conference Second Round NBA Playoffs.

The Knicks And Maple Leafs Are Refusing To Stick To The Script

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

Owner Steve Ballmer of the Los Angeles Clippers reacts against the Denver Nuggets during the fourth quarter in Game Three of the Western Conference First Round NBA Playoffs.

I’m Feeling Like Steve, With Patrick Redford

Josh Hart reacts after the Knicks beat the Pistons in Game 4.

The Knicks Got Away With That One

Patrick Redford

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

Barry Petchesky

DETROIT, MICHIGAN - APRIL 10: Malik Beasley #5 of the Detroit Pistons and Mikal Bridges #25 of the New York Knicks look on during the third quarter of a game at Little Caesars Arena on April 10, 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. (Photo by Mike Mulholland/Getty Images)

The Knicks Gave The Pistons A Lesson In Playoff Entropy

Giri Nathan

Draymond Green smiles at a press conference after being told that Karl-Anthony Towns did not miss a game because he was scared of Jimmy Butler, per Green's speculation, but because of the death of a family friend

Draymond Green Pivots From Slander To Depraved Podcast Promo

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

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - DECEMBER 25: Karl-Anthony Towns #32 of the New York Knicks and Victor Wembanyama #1 of the San Antonio Spurs battle for a rebound during the first quarter at Madison Square Garden on December 25, 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 Luke Hales/Getty Images)

Victor Wembanyama Crafted A Fittingly Weird Christmas Masterpiece

Trae Young #11 of the Atlanta Hawks celebrates the win on the logo after the quarterfinal game of the Emirates NBA Cup against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden on December 11, 2024 in New York City. The Atlanta Hawks defeated the New York Knicks 108-100 to advance to the semifinal round. 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)

Trae Young Goes For Cheap Heat In The Knicks’ House

Karl-Anthony Towns drives to the cup against Wendell Carter Jr. of the Magic.

Karl-Anthony Towns Sees Your Gruel, And Raises

Dave McKenna

LANDOVER, MD - CIRCA 1992: Jerrod Mustaf #0 of the Phoenix Suns warms up prior to playing the Washington Bullets in an NBA basketball game circa 1992 at the Capital Centre in Landover, Maryland. Mustaf played for the Suns from 1991-94.

Sadly, Jerrod Mustaf Was More Than A Basketball Player

Julius Randle #30 of the New York Knicks celebrates scoring against the Toronto Raptors during their game at Madison Square Garden on December 11, 2023 in New York City. 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)

Julius Randle’s Knicks Tenure Was Exhilarating And Infuriating

Rachelle Hampton

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.

New York Knicks