Knicks Notes: Shamet, Towns, Patton, Brown
With OG Anunoby expected to return from his right hamstring strain for the Eastern Conference finals, Landry Shamet will likely once again be the odd man out in the Knicks‘ rotation, writes Jared Schwartz of The New York Post.
Shamet played sparingly during the first eight games of the postseason, averaging just 9.3 minutes per night, but after Anunoby went down, he logged 37 total minutes in Games 3 and 4 vs. Philadelphia.
While he may still be behind fellow reserves Miles McBride, Jordan Clarkson, and Jose Alvarado on Mike Brown‘s depth chart, Shamet impressed when given an opportunity during those two victories in Philadelphia, scoring 27 points on 9-of-13 shooting and giving the Knicks’ head coach something to think about going forward.
“Landry hadn’t played a drop all playoffs,” Brown said. “I think the first game (of the first round), he was in the rotation and then the second game a little bit, then he was out. That’s six, seven games that he hadn’t seen significant minutes on the court. … He was huge on both ends of the floor.”
We have more on the Knicks:
- For a second straight year since swapping Karl-Anthony Towns for Julius Randle and Donte DiVincenzo, the Knicks and Timberwolves are both making deep playoff runs. However, Kristian Winfield of The New York Daily News (subscription required) argues that New York deserve to be crowned the winners of that blockbuster trade, given the way that Towns and the Knicks have dominated during this postseason. Towns has averaged a relatively modest 17.4 points per game during the playoffs, but he’s filling up the stat sheet with 10.0 RPG, 6.6 APG, 1.5 BPG, 1.1 SPG, and an incredible shooting line of .587/.483/.897. The Knicks had a +24.8 net rating when he was on the floor in the first two rounds.
- New York ranked fourth during the regular season with a 37.3% mark on three-pointers and has converted a league-high 40.8% during the postseason. In a subscriber-only story for The New York Post, Stefan Bondy profiles shooting coach Peter Patton, the club’s secret weapon who has helped multiple Knicks players post career-best numbers from beyond the arc. “I feel like when you have somebody telling you what you need out of your shot and you trust him, it’s big time. I feel like for all of the guys he’s been huge,” said McBride, who hit a career-best 41.3% of his three-pointers in 2025/26. “… I just love the fact that he’s watching, he’s locked in, he’s helping the whole team. … It’s just small technique things. Like if you’re dropping your hand down or you’re turning a little bit. Just anything you’re doing off with your shot, he points out and it helps.”
- Do the Knicks match up better against Detroit or Cleveland? James L. Edwards III of The Athletic considers which Central Division team New York should want to play, ultimately concluding that Detroit has played the Knicks tougher even though the Cavs look like the more difficult matchup on paper. Still, the Knicks should be favored over either team, Edwards notes.
- Although he doesn’t necessarily believe Tom Thibodeau deserved to be fired, Ian O’Connor of The Athletic argues, based on what he has seen from the team this spring, that the Knicks did the right thing by replacing Thibodeau with Brown.
Sixers Rumors: Front Office, Morey, Embiid, George, More
Sixers president of basketball operations Daryl Morey still had two “expensive” years left on his contract, but that didn’t dissuade the team’s ownership group from deciding that a front office change was necessary, reports Jake Fischer of The Stein Line (Substack link).
After formally confirming on Tuesday that they’ve parted ways with Morey, the 76ers have tasked Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment president of sports Bob Myers with temporarily running the front office and leading the search for a new lead basketball executive. However, according to Fischer, the plan is for Myers to return to an advisory role once a hire is made.
Myers will consider candidates within the organization in addition to external options, Fischer writes. While it’s too early to identify potential frontrunners, Fischer says Andre Iguodala, the current NBPA executive director who played under Myers in Golden State and also spent several years playing in Philadelphia, isn’t expected to receive consideration for the job, even though his stint with the players’ union is scheduled to end next month.
Here’s more from Fischer on the Sixers:
- Although fans in Philadelphia weren’t happy about the mid-season trade that sent Jared McCain to Oklahoma City for draft assets, including a 2026 first-rounder, a source with knowledge of the situation told Fischer that deal wasn’t the “proverbial last straw” for Morey. Ownership “very much approved” that deal, Fischer writes, which makes sense, given that it helped the 76ers move out of luxury tax territory. The club is also optimistic about its ability to select a quality prospect next month with the No. 22 overall pick acquired in that trade, Fischer adds.
- There’s a widespread belief that the Sixers would be best off resetting their roster around Tyrese Maxey and VJ Edgecombe, but that will be easier said than done in the short term, Fischer notes. The three years and $188MM left on Joel Embiid‘s contract will make it very challenging to move him without attaching sweeteners, which likely won’t appeal to Philadelphia, meaning an Embiid trade is unlikely to happen this offseason. According to Fischer, one idea mentioned by rival strategists is a swap involving Embiid and Kings center Domantas Sabonis, but he acknowledges that calling that scenario a “long shot” might be understating it.
- As tricky as Embiid would be to move, the same may no longer be true of Paul George, who rehabilitated his value to some extent with a strong finish to the season, including a playoff run in which he shot 49.3% from three-point range. George also has just one guaranteed year remaining on his maximum-salary contract, with a player option to follow, so if he conveys a willingness to decline that option in favor of an extension that starts at a lower number, that could make potential suitors more comfortable rolling the dice on him. Fischer likens George’s contract situation – and trade value – to Trae Young‘s entering last season. The Hawks didn’t acquire any draft picks for Young but they didn’t have to send out any either, and they were able to acquire two relatively team-friendly contracts in their deal with Washington.
- Even though Nurse will remain in his position as head coach, there’s an expectation that his staff will undergo some offseason changes, according to Fischer, who observes that a number of Sixers assistants are on expiring contracts.
And-Ones: Karaban, Draft Combine, FA Rankings, Magnay, Dowtin
UConn senior forward Alex Karaban is among the players who have made a strong impression at the NBA’s draft combine this week, according to ESPN’s Jeremy Woo and Jeff Borzello.
Karaban entered the combine ranked as the No. 32 prospect on ESPN’s board. He was the best shooter during Monday’s drills and improved his standing vertical leap by 5.5 inches since his appearance at the 2024 combine.
Baylor guard Cameron Carr, Michigan forward Morez Johnson and Houston center Chris Cenac have also stood out at the combine, per Woo and Borzello. On the flip side, poor shooting by Arizona forward Koa Peat could lead him to consider withdrawing his name despite being ranked as a first-rounder entering this week.
Here’s more from around the international basketball world:
- LeBron James, Jalen Duren and Austin Reaves head the list of free agents – and potential free agents – compiled by the Bleacher Report’s Eric Pincus. Overall, Pincus ranks 66 possible free agents as well as throwing in some honorable mentions.
- The Tasmania JackJumpers have signed Will Magnay to a two-year deal, according to a team press release. The second year is a team option, ESPN’s Olgun Uluc tweets. Magnay is a four-time club Defensive Player of the Year, and has the club’s all-time highest rebounds at 532, and all-time highest blocks at 150. Magnay appeared in one game with New Orleans during the 2020/21 season.
- Maccabi Tel Aviv and former NBA guard Jeff Dowtin have parted ways, the Israeli club tweets. Dowtin, 29, has played 87 games in the NBA, including 41 with Philadelphia during the 2024/25 season.
Timberwolves Notes: Edwards, Reid, Wembanyama, Gobert
Anthony Edwards left his teammates in awe by scoring 36 points, including 16 in the fourth quarter, during Game 4 of the Timberwolves’ second-round series against the Spurs, according to The Associated Press’ Dave Campbell.
Edwards missed the clinching Game 5 against Denver in the first round due to a hyperextended left knee and bone bruise. He’s gutted through all four games against San Antonio, playing 40 and 41 minutes in the past two games entering Tuesday’s Game 5.
“Honestly, I think he would just now be coming back if he was like a normal human being, but he’s not,” guard Mike Conley said. “We’re thankful for what he’s sacrificing for us and putting us on his back,” Conley added. “We expect it from him. He expects it. So we just try to keep him healthy, keep him going forward.”
“We’re lucky to have him. He’s special, no doubt, especially given what he’s been fighting through over the last month and a half,” coach Chris Finch added.
Here’s more on the Timberwolves:
- Edwards drew some extra motivation on Sunday. His thoughts centered around his mother, Yvette Edwards, who died from cancer on Jan. 5, 2015. It was his first career win on Mother’s Day. “I just wanted to win for my mom,” he said, per Marcus Thompson II of The Athletic. “It was that simple.”
- Spurs big man Victor Wembanyama was ejected in the first half of Game 4 after elbowing Naz Reid. It was a powerful blow but Reid wound up playing 31 minutes and contributing 15 points, nine rebounds and four assists. “If only y’all knew who my mom and my grandmother are,” he told Jon Krawczynski of The Athletic. “I get a lot of my toughness from them. My mom used to walk damn near an hour and 45 minutes to work. That’s what my mom taught me. You get knocked down, get right back up.”
- Wembanyama and Rudy Gobert have a deep bond. Gobert first met the Spurs star when the latter was 13 years old. The Frenchmen have had to put their friendship aside in this series, Anthony Slater of ESPN writes. “[We talk] in regular times. We say ‘hi’ [on the court]. Our families see each other. But we are focused,” Gobert said.
Morey Ousted As Sixers’ President; Nurse Keeps Coaching Job
Daryl Morey has been relieved of duties as president of basketball operations with the Sixers after six seasons, ESPN’s Shams Charania reports.
The decision was made after Morey met with Sixers owners Josh Harris and David Blitzer on Tuesday evening in Philadelphia, according to Charania, who says that head coach Nick Nurse will be retained for a fourth season.
Former Warriors executive Bob Myers, now the president of sports for Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment, will lead the search for the new head of basketball operations. Myers will oversee the franchise’s basketball operations department in the interim.
The Athletic had reported on Monday that Morey and/or Nurse could be on their way out.
Harris issued the following statement via a press release:
“I have a tremendous amount of respect for Daryl personally and professionally, and I’m grateful for his contributions over the last six seasons. After speaking with Daryl, we determined that it was time for a fresh start. Bob Myers will lead the process of identifying a new leader and I believe his experience in constructing four NBA championship teams will be a valuable resource to our organization. To our fans, your frustration and disappointment are understandable and warranted. We have fallen well short of our own expectations and failed to deliver in the way this city deserves. That bothers me deeply and I have confidence in Bob to establish a path forward for our franchise.”
Morey was hired to bring the franchise a championship for the first time since 1983. Philadelphia reached the postseason in all but one of his six seasons on the job, but fell well short of the ultimate goal. The Sixers did not advance beyond the second round of the playoffs during Morey’s tenure.
It wasn’t for a lack of trying. He acquired James Harden during the 2021/22 season but Harden demanded a trade after the following season over a contract dispute. Morey opened up significant cap space prior to the 2024/25 season and signed Paul George to a max deal, along with several other notable free agents.
Injuries derailed Morey’s plans. George, Tyrese Maxey and Joel Embiid have played only 43 games together over the last two seasons, including the regular season and playoffs. That trio is owed $153MM next season.
After the Sixers were swept in the second round by the Knicks, Embiid remarked, “… Gotta get better, from top to bottom. Ownership, front office, players, coaches. Everybody just gotta get better.”
It will be up to the next team president to put together a championship-caliber roster. Morey’s replacement will have two major building blocks in Maxey and VJ Edgecombe, who finished third for the Rookie of the Year award.
Nurse is 116-130 in three seasons as the Sixers’ head coach, with 47- and 45-win seasons sandwiching a forgettable 24-58 campaign. Nurse guided the team to a first-round comeback from a 3-1 series deficit to beat the Celtics, but the 76ers were overmatched against the Knicks, who swept them out of the postseason.
Spurs’ Fox, Harper Available For Game 5
May 12, 6:31 pm: Both Fox and Harper are available for Game 5 on Tuesday, Weiss tweets.
May 12, 12:35 pm: Harper has joined Fox on the Spurs’ injury report, having been listed as questionable due to left knee soreness, tweets Weiss.
May 11, 8:56 pm: Spurs guard De’Aaron Fox has been listed as questionable for Tuesday’s Game 5 against the Wolves, tweets Jared Weiss of The Athletic
Fox’s injury designation has actually changed over the past few hours. He was initially listed as having left ankle soreness, but San Antonio’s injury report now say it’s soreness in his right ankle.
After signing a four-year max extension last August, Fox appeared in 72 regular season games (31.0 minutes per contest) in his first full season as a Spur, averaging 18.6 points, 6.2 assists, 3.8 rebounds and 1.3 steals on .486/.332/.760 shooting. The 28-year-old was named to his second All-Star game earlier this year.
Fox has struggled so far in the second-round series with Minnesota, averaging 16.8 PPG, 4.0 APG, 2.5 RPG and 1.8 SPG on .379/.222/.722 shooting through four contests (32.8 MPG). The Western Conference semifinal matchup is currently tied at two games apiece.
If Fox is unable to suit up for the pivotal Game 5, No. 2 overall pick Dylan Harper is the most obvious candidate for more ball-handling, play-making and scoring opportunities.
Former NBA Center Jason Collins Dies Of Brain Cancer
Former NBA big man Jason Collins has died at the age of 47. Collins had been battling brain cancer.
Collins entered the NBA in 2001 as the 18th pick of the draft out of Stanford. He spent his first six-and-a-half seasons, then played for the Grizzlies, Timberwolves, Hawks, Celtics and Wizards before returning to the Nets to wrap up his career in 2013/14. He averaged 3.6 points and 3.7 rebounds in 735 regular season games.
Collins remained actively involved with the league after his retirement as an NBA Cares Ambassador.
Collins revealed in 2013 during a Sports Illustrated article that he was gay, becoming the first publicly gay athlete to play in any of the four main North American sports leagues.
Collins’ family issued the following statement, which was relayed by the league (Twitter link):
“We are heartbroken to share that Jason Collins, our beloved husband, son, brother and uncle, has died after a valiant fight with glioblastoma. Jason changed lives in unexpected ways and was an inspiration to all who knew him and to those who admired him from afar. We are grateful for the outpouring of love and prayers over the past eight months and for the exceptional medical care Jason received from his doctors and nurses. Our family will miss him dearly.”
NBA commissioner Adam Silver also issued a statement on Collins’ passing (Twitter link):
“Jason Collins’ impact and influence extended far beyond basketball as he helped make the NBA, WNBA and larger sports community more inclusive and welcoming for future generations. He exemplified outstanding leadership and professionalism throughout his 13-year NBA career and in his dedicated work as an NBA Cares Ambassador. Jason will be remembered not only for breaking barriers, but also for the kindness and humanity that defined his life and touched so many others. On behalf of the NBA, I send my heartfelt condolences to Jason’s husband, Brunson, and his family, friends and colleagues across our leagues.”
We at Hoops Rumors send our sincerest condolences to Collins’ family and friends.
Bucks Cleared Of Wrongdoing For Shutting Down Giannis
The NBA has ruled that it will not take any action against the Bucks over their decision to shut down Giannis Antetokounmpo late in the season, ESPN’s Shams Charania reports (via Twitter).
The dispute between the Bucks and their franchise player displayed the disconnect and increasing acrimony between the two parties. Charania reported on Monday that the Bucks are fielding offers for Antetokounmpo, with a chance that a trade could be made prior to next month’s draft.
An investigation into the dispute over Antetokounmpo’s health was launched in early April as the Bucks held out the two-time MVP due to a left knee hyperextension and a bone bruise.
The two sides presented differing views of the situation, with the Bucks expressing a belief that Antetokounmpo wasn’t ready to return and didn’t actually want to play, while Giannis insisted he was healthy but the team refused to give him medical clearance. The NBA’s decision to not take further action implies that it sided with the team’s version of events — or at least that there wasn’t enough evidence to disprove it.
Antetokounmpo didn’t play after March 15 due to that knee injury. He appeared in just 36 games over the course of the season due to knee, groin, ankle, and calf issues. The fewest games he had played during a regular season leading up to 2025/26 was 61.
Pistons List Robinson, LeVert, Huerter As Questionable For Game 5
The Pistons have listed three players, including starting shooting guard Duncan Robinson, as questionable for Wednesday’s pivotal Game 5 of the Eastern Conference semifinals, Hunter Patterson of The Athletic tweets.
Robinson, the team’s main three-point threat, is dealing with low back soreness. Robinson attempted just two field goals and scored four points in 29 minutes during Game 4 on Monday, when the Cavaliers evened the series at two games apiece. He had averaged 17 points in the first three games of the series while knocking down a total of 14 three-pointers.
Reserves Caris LeVert (right heel contusion) and Kevin Huerter (left adductor strain) are also listed as questionable. LeVert was listed as questionable for Game 4 and not only played but produced one of his best games of the season. He scored a team-high 24 points in 31 minutes and added four rebounds and three assists.
Huerter has missed the past seven postseason games after appearing in the first four contests of the opening round series against Orlando. He was also considered questionable for Game 4 before being downgraded to out.
Central Notes: Mitchell, Mobley, Duren, Edens
Star guard Donovan Mitchell made just 1-of-8 shots for four points in the first half of Game 4 on Monday as the Cavaliers faced a four-point deficit at halftime. However, Mitchell turned things around in a major way after the intermission, scoring 21 third-quarter points and leading Cleveland on a 22-0 run to open the second half, writes Chris Fedor of Cleveland.com (subscription required).
Mitchell added 18 more points in the fourth quarter for a total of 39 in the second half, tying Sleepy Floyd‘s playoff record for a single half. After the game, the Cavs veteran attributed his success in the last two quarters to “everybody having my back” after he struggled earlier in the night.
“They continued to understand that, hey, this is what you do,” Mitchell said. “They’re not really tripping on the fact that I started out one-of-whatever, so I think that helps.”
Mitchell had an opportunity to break Floyd’s record at the free throw line in the game’s final minute, but he made just one of two attempts and finished tied with the former Warriors guard. After the victory, Mitchell made it clear he wasn’t bothered by not being able to claim the record for himself.
“We won the game and we’re 2-2 going to Detroit,” Mitchell said. “Everybody let me know that I missed the free throw to break the record though. I will say that. But we’re 2-2 headed to Detroit. That was what we came home to do and that’s all that matters.”
We have more from out of the Central:
- While Mitchell was the star on offense for the Cavaliers in Game 4, head coach Kenny Atkinson was eager to heap praise on former Defensive Player of the Year Evan Mobley after the victory, as Fedor writes in another Cleveland.com story (subscription required). Mobley has faced some criticism in the postseason, especially after grabbing just one rebound in Cleveland’s Game 2 loss, but Atkinson has insisted that the big man’s impact goes well beyond the box score. “Evan Mobley was phenomenal,” the Cavs’ coach said on Monday. “That was the Defensive Player of the Year right there. I don’t know what the stats say, the traditional stats say, but we know within our locker room how great he’s playing. He affects winning on both ends. We should give a lot of flowers to Evan Mobley for tonight’s performance. Maybe the best I’ve seen him defensively.”
- While Mobley and Jarrett Allen thrived for Cleveland, Pistons center Jalen Duren struggled again in Game 4, registering just eight points and two rebounds. The big man, a restricted free agent this summer, is now averaging 9.5 PPG and 7.0 RPG in the series, and Detroit has been outscored when he’s on the court. “I’ve just gotta be better, man,” Duren said after the loss, per Omari Sankofa II of The Detroit Free Press (subscription required). “I have no excuses. I’m my biggest critic. I know what I’ve gotta do to be able to contribute to our team and our success, and I’m staying on myself about doing that no matter what the case may be. I’ve got great teammates, a great coaching staff. I know that as a group we’re going to come back stronger, I have no doubt about it.”
- Bucks co-owner Wes Edens is the victim of an alleged $1 billion extortion scheme, according to reports from James Fanelli and Corinne Ramey of The Wall Street Journal and Steven Martinez of The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Changli “Sophia” Luo faces federal blackmail and extortion charges after threatening to publicize explicit videos and photos of her and Edens after a brief affair. A spokesperson for Edens said the Bucks governor “expects to testify under oath at the upcoming trial.”