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Defector

Albert Burneko

P.J. Washington #25 of the Dallas Mavericks shoots a free throw during the fourth quarter against the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game Six of the Western Conference Second Round Playoffs.

Thunder–Mavericks Deserved A Better Ending

Patrick Redford

DALLAS, TX - MAY 13: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander #2 of the Oklahoma City Thunder stands for the National Anthem before the game against the Dallas Mavericks during Round 2 Game 4 of the 2024 NBA Playoffs on May 13, 2024 at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2024 NBAE (Photo by Logan Riely/NBAE via Getty Images)

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander And The Thunder Passed Their First Real Test

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - MAY 9: Kyrie Irving #11 of the Dallas Mavericks looks on during the game against the Oklahoma City Thunder during Round Two Game Two of the 2024 NBA Playoffs on May 9, 2024 at Paycom Arena in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2024 NBAE (Photo by Zach Beeker/NBAE via Getty Images)

Kyrie Irving Is Right Where He Needs To Be

Tom Ley

Gordon Hayward #33 of the Oklahoma City Thunder arrives to the arena before the game against the New Orleans Pelicans during Round 1 Game 4 of the 2024 NBA Playoffs on April 29, 2024 at the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, Louisiana.

Gordon Hayward Is The Low-Effort King Of The Playoffs

NEW ORLEANS, LA - APRIL 29: The Oklahoma City Thunder talk to the media after the game against the New Orleans Pelicans during Round 1 Game 4 of the 2024 NBA Playoffs on April 29, 2024 at the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, Louisiana. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2024 NBAE (Photo by Jeff Haynes/NBAE via Getty Images)

How Far Can The Thunder Take This?

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - APRIL 24: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander #2 of the Oklahoma City Thunder shoots the ball during the game against the New Orleans Pelicans during Round 1 Game 2 of the 2024 NBA Playoffs on April 24, 2024 at Paycom Arena in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2024 NBAE (Photo by Zach Beeker/NBAE via Getty Images)

Underestimate Shai Gilgeous-Alexander And The Thunder At Your Peril

Victor Wembanyama shoots a basketball over Chet Holmgren

We Are Hurtling Toward The Age Of Wembanyama


<p>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</p>


Diana Moskovitz

Kevin Porter Jr. #3 of the Houston Rockets looks on during the game against the Golden State Warriors on March 20, 2023 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas.

Kevin Porter Jr. Accepts Plea Deal, Will Avoid Jail Time

Ray Ratto

Scoot Henderson #00 of the Portland Trail Blazers and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander #2 of the Oklahoma City Thunder tumble after a loose ball during the second half at Paycom Center on January 11, 2024 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. 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.

The NBA Is The Best At Showing Us The Worst

Giri Nathan

This Is So Stupid

The Jalen Williams-Jaylin Williams Power Rankings: A New Contender Rises

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - DECEMBER 21: Vinicius Junior attends the Oklahoma City Thunder game against the LA Clippers on December 21, 2023 at Paycom Arena in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2023 NBAE (Photo by Zach Beeker/NBAE via Getty Images)

Soccer

Vinicius Jr. Pays Visit To Best Cities In America, Also Los Angeles

Josh Giddey #3 during the pregame at Paycom Center on October 29, 2023 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

Police Investigating If Josh Giddey Had A Relationship With A Minor

Luis Paez-Pumar

Chet Holmgren #7 of the Oklahoma City Thunder scores the game tying shot during the game against the Golden State Warriors on November 18, 2023 at Chase Center in San Francisco, California.

Chet Holmgren Is This Good This Early

Chet Holmgren of the Thunder unsuccessfully posts up Chris Paul of the Warriors

Enjoy The Visual Tableau Of Chet Holmgren Unsuccessfully Posting Up Chris Paul

Victor Wembanyama of the Spurs contests a shot

Victor Wembanyama Stood Out In The Spurs’ Preseason Opener

SALT LAKE CITY, UT - JULY 3: Chet Holmgren #7 of the Oklahoma City Thunder is interviewed after the game against the Utah Jazz during the 2023 NBA Salt Lake City Summer League on July 3, 2023 at Delta Center 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2023 NBAE (Photo by Melissa Majchrzak/NBAE via Getty Images)

Chet Holmgren Has Been A Joy In An Otherwise Disappointing Summer League

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 13: Draymond Green #23 of the Golden State Warriors looks on in the second quarter against the Washington Wizards at Chase Center on February 13, 2023 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. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)

Even The Warriors Seem Sick Of The Warriors

Lauri Markkanen Is A Dude Now

Damian Lillard Is Mr. Portland

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - JULY 11: Jalen Williams #8 and Jaylin Williams #6 of the Oklahoma City Thunder run up the court during a game against the Orlando Magic during the 2022 NBA Summer League at the Thomas &amp; Mack Center on July 11, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. 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 Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

Introducing The Jalen Williams-Jaylin Williams Power Rankings

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander #2 of the Oklahoma City Thunder celebrates a late basket in the fourth quarter at Paycom Center on November 09, 2022 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Gave The Bucks All They Could Handle

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - JULY 14: Chet Holmgren #7 of the Oklahoma City Thunder poses during the 2022 NBA Rookie Portraits at UNLV on July 14, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. 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)