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Defector

Patrick Redford

TORONTO, ON - MARCH 20: De'Aaron Fox #5 of the Sacramento Kings speaks to head coach Mike Brown in a break against the Toronto Raptors during the first half of their basketball game at the Scotiabank Arena on March 20, 2024 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. 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 Mark Blinch/Getty Images)

Beam Team’s Esteemed Dreams Once Deemed Reamed, Now Redeemed With New Regimes

Tom Ley

Women's Basketball

“Disgusted” Breanna Stewart Holds Up “Abolish ICE” Sign Before Unrivaled Game

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

Staff Writer
Find me on Signal @DefectorChris.19

Chris Thompson

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma - JUNE 22: Oklahoma City Thunder players celebrate with the Larry O'Brien trophy after winning Game Seven of the 2025 NBA Finals against the Indiana Pacers at Paycom Center on June 22, 2025 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, United States. (Photo by Mostafa Bassim/Anadolu via Getty Images)

The Thunder Finished The Job

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - JUNE 13: Tyrese Haliburton #0 of the Indiana Pacers attempts a layup against Shai Gilgeous-Alexander #2 of the Oklahoma City Thunder during the fourth quarter in Game Four of the 2025 NBA Finals at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on June 13, 2025 in Indianapolis, Indiana. 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 Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)

Finals Good As Hell

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander #2 of the Oklahoma City Thunder dribbles the ball against Andrew Nembhard #2 of the Indiana Pacers during the fourth quarter in Game Three of the 2025 NBA Finals at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on June 11, 2025 in Indianapolis, Indiana. 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.

Not So Funny When Someone’s Doing That Shit To You, Is It?

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is defended by Andrew Nembhard.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Can Make Anyone Look Bad

Albert Burneko

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander #2 of the Oklahoma City Thunder drives to the basket against Tyrese Haliburton #0 of the Indiana Pacers during the fourth quarter in Game One of the 2025 NBA Finals

If I Were The Oklahoma City Thunder, I Would Simply Sustain A Lead All The Way To The End Of Game 2

Tyrese Haliburton #0 of the Indiana Pacers scores a basket with .3 seconds remaining during the fourth quarter against the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game One of the 2025 NBA Finals at Paycom Center on June 05, 2025 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.

We Must Consider Whether The Pacers Have A Pact With Beelzebub Himself

Luis Paez-Pumar

Ray Ratto

David Roth

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of the Oklahoma City Thunder drives around Tyrese Haliburton of the Indiana Pacers during the fourth quarter on March 29, 2025 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

Before You Is The Defector Mega-Preview Of The 2025 NBA Finals. Kneel!

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

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

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

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

The Pacers celebrate Tyrese Haliburton's buzzer-beater.

What The Hell Is Going On Here?

Tyrese Haliburton greets fans after defeating the Cleveland Cavaliers 114-105 in Game Five of the Eastern Conference Second Round NBA Playoffs.

No One Ever Sees The Pacers Coming

Tyrese Haliburton celebrates with teammates after defeating the Cleveland Cavaliers

Tyrese Haliburton Sure Knows How To Pick His Spots

The Pacers Out-Styled The Cavaliers And Swiped Home-Court Advantage

Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks and Bennedict Mathurin #00 of the Indiana Pacers get into an altercation after Game 5 of the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on April 29, 2025 in Indianapolis, Indiana. 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.

Bucks Collapse Leads To Giannis Antetokounmpo Delivering Fatherhood Lessons To Tyrese Haliburton’s Dad

Tyrese Haliburton rises up for the game-winner.

The Pacers Drew Up A Beauty And Were Rewarded With A Miracle

Dan McQuade was a founding member of Defector. He died in January 2026.

Dan McQuade

Pro Wrestling

WWE Informs Viewership Of Tyrese Haliburton

Tyrese Haliburton is hounded on the sideline by Jayson Tatum.

The Silly Pacers Handed It To The Celtics, Over And Over Again

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.

The Pacers Simply Ran Away

Giri Nathan

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - DECEMBER 04: &lt;&gt;during the NBA In-Season Tournament at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on December 04, 2023 in Indianapolis, Indiana. 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 Dylan Buell/Getty Images)

The Minor Stakes Of The NBA In-Season Tournament Have Led To Good, Silly Fun

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - DECEMBER 4: Tyrese Haliburton #0 of the Indiana Pacers celebrates during the game against the Boston Celtics during the quarterfinals of the In-Season Tournament on December 4, 2023 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana. 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 Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)