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The Knicks figured out the Spurs faster than anyone else in NBA Finals SAN ANTONIO – The NBA’s defending champions required five regular season games and seven Western Conference Finals bashfests to suss out San Antonio’s Spurs, failed.The Knicks needed but three quarters. Another dynamite fourth quarter from Knick hero Jalen Brunson gave New York its first Finals lead in a over a half-century on Wednesday night, toppling San Antonio 105-95 in Game 1 of the 2026 NBA Finals.That previous Finals advantage, a 4-1 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers in the 1973 NBA Finals, was celebrated by Knick reserve center Phil Jackson on a beach at Malibu with an unnamed actress, according to Phil’s book ‘Maverick,’ Jackson “gobbling LSD for breakfast.”Brunson (and Knicks coach Mike Brown, for that matter) appeared to show little instinct toward toward Phil’s breakfast of champions after Game 1, giving every indication these current Knicks keep these sainted Spurs in sensible range.And within the same level as previous combatants. We worried over the Knicks faltering against stiff Western competition after facing Atlanta, Philadelphia and Cleveland in the previous three rounds (Eh, Woof, and Whatever). We shoulda concerned ourselves with whether or not San Antonio was ready for the team that only needed 14 outings to escape the East.The visiting Knicks delicately primed past the restrictions of rust in the team’s first contest since May 25. New York was down 10 points in the second quarter and 14 in the third before colluding to surprise San Antonio in what the NBA calls “clutch minutes,” the final five minutes of a close game. Timing issues aside, it felt as if every second of Game 1 was crucially clutch, the utter and pristine picture of all-out NBA playoff basketball.Brunson finished with 30 but was no angel on his way toward the mark, flinging lefty hopers over the arms of Victor Wembanyama, spinning out repeatedly on floaters and only using arms on in-and-out three-pointers. Those were practice legs, scrimmage flings, and Brunson (7-22 entering the third period, 5-9 from the floor in the final 12 minutes) needed every second surrounding him to re-locate his crouch.Once the legs returned, though, over. Brunson’s corner three off a Mikal Bridges offensive rebound with 1:50 remaining gave New York a 97-95 lead, all the grasp it needed. Rust was absolutely an issue, for these visiting Knicks, now they’ll band together to earn a full endorsement deal with an anti-rust spray, we won’t name any brands because we’re not sponsored ourselves, but watch for “polyurethane resins” to be uttered by Jose Alvarado on an advertisement sometime this summer.Alvarado helped keep the visitor’s wits throughout, his presence was badly needed in the second quarter when Brunson turned his ankle and left the game. Alvarado, perhaps buoyed by Brunson bounding over with both legs to complain to Scott Foster during the injury timeout, hit 3-of-3 from the field in his run, seven points, three defensive boards and an assist and a steal, because he’s Jose Alvarado.Bothered by foul trouble, Josh Hart barely worked that second quarter. Josh made up for it.In one of the finest three-point performances in NBA Finals history, Hart’s derring-do stole the home court advantage right out from Texas’ ten-gallon hat. Four steals and six assists from Hart, who covered all angles defensively while still sustaining his sniff for the passing lanes. His shot was off (1-5 from the field, 0-3 from deep) but he was in the right place in every other instance, a superior all-around performance, even if his jumper doesn’t go all the way around.The home team failed to clasp past 100 points per 100 possessions, the Spurs missed three-quarters of their threes and wasted a four-turnover game, and 15-point first half from Julian Champagnie. Wembanyama was a force defensively but missed 16-21 field goal attempts on his way toward 26 points, a dozen boards and six turnovers, three blocks.De’Aaron Fox clunked 3-13 from the field on one leg. The veteran developed good looks in the fourth quarter, missed, while Dylan Harper (16 points and seven rebounds through three quarters) watched from the bench. Devin Vassell and Keldon Johnson, cherished Spurs veterans but a little hype in Game 1, somewhat charged, possibly caffeinated, 5-15 from the floor combined.It was a learning experience. Fans talked themselves into shouting “Spurs in five” on the way out of the building in Game 1 and, yeah, it ain’t hard to see what’s under that hat. San Antonio does have a seven-and-a-half-foot center with skills, after all.Yet New York proved none of this counts if the center in question is centimeters removed from what matters, the best attempt available, a Knick splash. New York missed 25-36 three-pointers in Game 1, but its concentration and approach was apparent from the rafters. If Wemby is slightly out of focus, dive to the rim as if the season depends on it. The Knicks are to be commended for maintaining a straight line to the rim anytime Wembanyama was bothered elsewhere, held or held up, New York launching the millisecond his fingertips were no obstacle.These moments usually require hours to develop, entire games. The Thunder ran out of time, the Timberwolves rarely earned the pause, the Trail Blazers never even caught up to Central time. Yet New York kept its principles in place throughout Game 1 until these fundamentals found paydirt. Until the legs returned, finally out of Connecticut’s practice sweats for the first time in over a week.The Spurs understand what they have to do now, yet that knowledge was in place well ahead of Game 1. It’s the connection which counts the most, and San Antonio must find out who its conductor is.New York knows. This is Brunson’s team, the Villanova cats with two battling bigs. Karl-Anthony Towns put himself on the floor throughout Game 1, 18 points and 18 chestbumps with Wemby while defending Victor. Front-to-front stuff, too, the awkward kind.KAT and Mitchell Robinson’s mystery finger were, in spite of Victor’ 12-13 mark from the free throw line, a bruise-in-waiting for Wembanyama to push through. The Knicks are thick up top and soulful down below and full of brains and wit throughout the middle.The Spurs are running out of time to define their own personalities, as the showcase in Manhattan draws nearer. The younger team is capable, but can they hold in the face of a crew which doesn’t crack?Kelly Dwyer covers the NBA at KDonhoops.com #Knicks #figured #Spurs #faster #NBA #Finals

The Knicks figured out the Spurs faster than anyone else in NBA Finals

SAN ANTONIO – The NBA’s defending champions required five regular season games and seven Western Conference Finals bashfests to suss out San Antonio’s Spurs, failed.

The Knicks needed but three quarters. Another dynamite fourth quarter from Knick hero Jalen Brunson gave New York its first Finals lead in a over a half-century on Wednesday night, toppling San Antonio 105-95 in Game 1 of the 2026 NBA Finals.

That previous Finals advantage, a 4-1 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers in the 1973 NBA Finals, was celebrated by Knick reserve center Phil Jackson on a beach at Malibu with an unnamed actress, according to Phil’s book ‘Maverick,’ Jackson “gobbling LSD for breakfast.”

Brunson (and Knicks coach Mike Brown, for that matter) appeared to show little instinct toward toward Phil’s breakfast of champions after Game 1, giving every indication these current Knicks keep these sainted Spurs in sensible range.

And within the same level as previous combatants. We worried over the Knicks faltering against stiff Western competition after facing Atlanta, Philadelphia and Cleveland in the previous three rounds (Eh, Woof, and Whatever). We shoulda concerned ourselves with whether or not San Antonio was ready for the team that only needed 14 outings to escape the East.

The visiting Knicks delicately primed past the restrictions of rust in the team’s first contest since May 25. New York was down 10 points in the second quarter and 14 in the third before colluding to surprise San Antonio in what the NBA calls “clutch minutes,” the final five minutes of a close game. Timing issues aside, it felt as if every second of Game 1 was crucially clutch, the utter and pristine picture of all-out NBA playoff basketball.

Brunson finished with 30 but was no angel on his way toward the mark, flinging lefty hopers over the arms of Victor Wembanyama, spinning out repeatedly on floaters and only using arms on in-and-out three-pointers. Those were practice legs, scrimmage flings, and Brunson (7-22 entering the third period, 5-9 from the floor in the final 12 minutes) needed every second surrounding him to re-locate his crouch.

Once the legs returned, though, over. Brunson’s corner three off a Mikal Bridges offensive rebound with 1:50 remaining gave New York a 97-95 lead, all the grasp it needed. Rust was absolutely an issue, for these visiting Knicks, now they’ll band together to earn a full endorsement deal with an anti-rust spray, we won’t name any brands because we’re not sponsored ourselves, but watch for “polyurethane resins” to be uttered by Jose Alvarado on an advertisement sometime this summer.

Alvarado helped keep the visitor’s wits throughout, his presence was badly needed in the second quarter when Brunson turned his ankle and left the game. Alvarado, perhaps buoyed by Brunson bounding over with both legs to complain to Scott Foster during the injury timeout, hit 3-of-3 from the field in his run, seven points, three defensive boards and an assist and a steal, because he’s Jose Alvarado.

Bothered by foul trouble, Josh Hart barely worked that second quarter. Josh made up for it.

In one of the finest three-point performances in NBA Finals history, Hart’s derring-do stole the home court advantage right out from Texas’ ten-gallon hat. Four steals and six assists from Hart, who covered all angles defensively while still sustaining his sniff for the passing lanes. His shot was off (1-5 from the field, 0-3 from deep) but he was in the right place in every other instance, a superior all-around performance, even if his jumper doesn’t go all the way around.

The home team failed to clasp past 100 points per 100 possessions, the Spurs missed three-quarters of their threes and wasted a four-turnover game, and 15-point first half from Julian Champagnie. Wembanyama was a force defensively but missed 16-21 field goal attempts on his way toward 26 points, a dozen boards and six turnovers, three blocks.

De’Aaron Fox clunked 3-13 from the field on one leg. The veteran developed good looks in the fourth quarter, missed, while Dylan Harper (16 points and seven rebounds through three quarters) watched from the bench. Devin Vassell and Keldon Johnson, cherished Spurs veterans but a little hype in Game 1, somewhat charged, possibly caffeinated, 5-15 from the floor combined.

It was a learning experience. Fans talked themselves into shouting “Spurs in five” on the way out of the building in Game 1 and, yeah, it ain’t hard to see what’s under that hat. San Antonio does have a seven-and-a-half-foot center with skills, after all.

Yet New York proved none of this counts if the center in question is centimeters removed from what matters, the best attempt available, a Knick splash. New York missed 25-36 three-pointers in Game 1, but its concentration and approach was apparent from the rafters. If Wemby is slightly out of focus, dive to the rim as if the season depends on it. The Knicks are to be commended for maintaining a straight line to the rim anytime Wembanyama was bothered elsewhere, held or held up, New York launching the millisecond his fingertips were no obstacle.

These moments usually require hours to develop, entire games. The Thunder ran out of time, the Timberwolves rarely earned the pause, the Trail Blazers never even caught up to Central time. Yet New York kept its principles in place throughout Game 1 until these fundamentals found paydirt. Until the legs returned, finally out of Connecticut’s practice sweats for the first time in over a week.

The Spurs understand what they have to do now, yet that knowledge was in place well ahead of Game 1. It’s the connection which counts the most, and San Antonio must find out who its conductor is.

New York knows. This is Brunson’s team, the Villanova cats with two battling bigs. Karl-Anthony Towns put himself on the floor throughout Game 1, 18 points and 18 chestbumps with Wemby while defending Victor. Front-to-front stuff, too, the awkward kind.

KAT and Mitchell Robinson’s mystery finger were, in spite of Victor’ 12-13 mark from the free throw line, a bruise-in-waiting for Wembanyama to push through. The Knicks are thick up top and soulful down below and full of brains and wit throughout the middle.

The Spurs are running out of time to define their own personalities, as the showcase in Manhattan draws nearer. The younger team is capable, but can they hold in the face of a crew which doesn’t crack?

Kelly Dwyer covers the NBA at KDonhoops.com

#Knicks #figured #Spurs #faster #NBA #Finals

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SAN ANTONIO – The NBA’s defending champions required five regular season games and seven Western Conference Finals bashfests to suss out San Antonio’s Spurs, failed.

The Knicks needed but three quarters. Another dynamite fourth quarter from Knick hero Jalen Brunson gave New York its first Finals lead in a over a half-century on Wednesday night, toppling San Antonio 105-95 in Game 1 of the 2026 NBA Finals.

That previous Finals advantage, a 4-1 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers in the 1973 NBA Finals, was celebrated by Knick reserve center Phil Jackson on a beach at Malibu with an unnamed actress, according to Phil’s book ‘Maverick,’ Jackson “gobbling LSD for breakfast.”

Brunson (and Knicks coach Mike Brown, for that matter) appeared to show little instinct toward toward Phil’s breakfast of champions after Game 1, giving every indication these current Knicks keep these sainted Spurs in sensible range.

And within the same level as previous combatants. We worried over the Knicks faltering against stiff Western competition after facing Atlanta, Philadelphia and Cleveland in the previous three rounds (Eh, Woof, and Whatever). We shoulda concerned ourselves with whether or not San Antonio was ready for the team that only needed 14 outings to escape the East.

The visiting Knicks delicately primed past the restrictions of rust in the team’s first contest since May 25. New York was down 10 points in the second quarter and 14 in the third before colluding to surprise San Antonio in what the NBA calls “clutch minutes,” the final five minutes of a close game. Timing issues aside, it felt as if every second of Game 1 was crucially clutch, the utter and pristine picture of all-out NBA playoff basketball.

Brunson finished with 30 but was no angel on his way toward the mark, flinging lefty hopers over the arms of Victor Wembanyama, spinning out repeatedly on floaters and only using arms on in-and-out three-pointers. Those were practice legs, scrimmage flings, and Brunson (7-22 entering the third period, 5-9 from the floor in the final 12 minutes) needed every second surrounding him to re-locate his crouch.

Once the legs returned, though, over. Brunson’s corner three off a Mikal Bridges offensive rebound with 1:50 remaining gave New York a 97-95 lead, all the grasp it needed. Rust was absolutely an issue, for these visiting Knicks, now they’ll band together to earn a full endorsement deal with an anti-rust spray, we won’t name any brands because we’re not sponsored ourselves, but watch for “polyurethane resins” to be uttered by Jose Alvarado on an advertisement sometime this summer.

Alvarado helped keep the visitor’s wits throughout, his presence was badly needed in the second quarter when Brunson turned his ankle and left the game. Alvarado, perhaps buoyed by Brunson bounding over with both legs to complain to Scott Foster during the injury timeout, hit 3-of-3 from the field in his run, seven points, three defensive boards and an assist and a steal, because he’s Jose Alvarado.

Bothered by foul trouble, Josh Hart barely worked that second quarter. Josh made up for it.

In one of the finest three-point performances in NBA Finals history, Hart’s derring-do stole the home court advantage right out from Texas’ ten-gallon hat. Four steals and six assists from Hart, who covered all angles defensively while still sustaining his sniff for the passing lanes. His shot was off (1-5 from the field, 0-3 from deep) but he was in the right place in every other instance, a superior all-around performance, even if his jumper doesn’t go all the way around.

The home team failed to clasp past 100 points per 100 possessions, the Spurs missed three-quarters of their threes and wasted a four-turnover game, and 15-point first half from Julian Champagnie. Wembanyama was a force defensively but missed 16-21 field goal attempts on his way toward 26 points, a dozen boards and six turnovers, three blocks.

De’Aaron Fox clunked 3-13 from the field on one leg. The veteran developed good looks in the fourth quarter, missed, while Dylan Harper (16 points and seven rebounds through three quarters) watched from the bench. Devin Vassell and Keldon Johnson, cherished Spurs veterans but a little hype in Game 1, somewhat charged, possibly caffeinated, 5-15 from the floor combined.

It was a learning experience. Fans talked themselves into shouting “Spurs in five” on the way out of the building in Game 1 and, yeah, it ain’t hard to see what’s under that hat. San Antonio does have a seven-and-a-half-foot center with skills, after all.

Yet New York proved none of this counts if the center in question is centimeters removed from what matters, the best attempt available, a Knick splash. New York missed 25-36 three-pointers in Game 1, but its concentration and approach was apparent from the rafters. If Wemby is slightly out of focus, dive to the rim as if the season depends on it. The Knicks are to be commended for maintaining a straight line to the rim anytime Wembanyama was bothered elsewhere, held or held up, New York launching the millisecond his fingertips were no obstacle.

These moments usually require hours to develop, entire games. The Thunder ran out of time, the Timberwolves rarely earned the pause, the Trail Blazers never even caught up to Central time. Yet New York kept its principles in place throughout Game 1 until these fundamentals found paydirt. Until the legs returned, finally out of Connecticut’s practice sweats for the first time in over a week.

The Spurs understand what they have to do now, yet that knowledge was in place well ahead of Game 1. It’s the connection which counts the most, and San Antonio must find out who its conductor is.

New York knows. This is Brunson’s team, the Villanova cats with two battling bigs. Karl-Anthony Towns put himself on the floor throughout Game 1, 18 points and 18 chestbumps with Wemby while defending Victor. Front-to-front stuff, too, the awkward kind.

KAT and Mitchell Robinson’s mystery finger were, in spite of Victor’ 12-13 mark from the free throw line, a bruise-in-waiting for Wembanyama to push through. The Knicks are thick up top and soulful down below and full of brains and wit throughout the middle.

The Spurs are running out of time to define their own personalities, as the showcase in Manhattan draws nearer. The younger team is capable, but can they hold in the face of a crew which doesn’t crack?

Kelly Dwyer covers the NBA at KDonhoops.com

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INDIANAPOLIS — After a second straight game defined largely by non-basketball plays involving Caitlin Clark, Fever head coach Stephanie White hit her breaking point.

Wednesday’s 111-109 loss to the Mercury featured Clark leaving with an injury midway through the third quarter. Still plenty took place before then.

A pair of incidents in the second quarter saw Clark take a beating before eventually leaving the game with a back injury. White unloaded on the officials in her postgame press conference, calling the lack of calls “egregious” and “utterly disrespectful.”

“We have a generational talent and a WNBA superstar who had two cheap shots right there that weren’t called,” White said. “And I just say again, absolutely unacceptable.

“We spent all offseason looking at officiating. All offseason. And I still say the one thing that we keep asking for is consistency. She is not called the same way everybody else is called.”

First, Clark and Alyssa Thomas got tangled in the paint while battling for a loose ball in a sequence that saw Thomas push her fist into Clark’s neck, knee her in the stomach and then step over her. No foul was called and the play wasn’t reviewed.

One possession later, Clark was fouled on a 3-pointer, leading to an awkward landing. Clark, who has dealt with a back injury most of the season, was slow to get up and looked to be in discomfort. The officials reviewed the play, but not for a potential flagrant foul or a landing zone violation.

Instead, the review was for a potential hostile act by Clark for hitting her defender in the face.

She remained in the game and even started the second half. However, Clark left near the midway point of the quarter and was ruled out for the rest of the game due to the back injury. White did not have an update on Clark’s status after the game.

All of this came on the heels of these two teams having multiple scuffles in their meeting on Monday, resulting in a slew of technical fouls and plenty of bad blood.

“Number one, you got to call [the foul on Thomas],” White said. “It’s absolutely egregious and utterly disrespectful. And then No. 2, you’re coming in here aware of what happened two nights ago and that s— still happens? Absolutely unacceptable. Absolutely unacceptable.

“And the reckless closeout that they’ve actually reviewed, and the foot still comes down on top of the defender’s foot that wasn’t upgraded? Absolutely disrespectful.”

White is not new to calling out officials. Last season, she also called the officiating “disrespectful” following a controversial late play against the Liberty. Nearly a month later, following a game that saw multiple technicals, flagrants and ejections against the Sun, White again criticized the officials for not improving along with the rest of the league.

White has also defended her star player this season, but never as passionately as she did on Wednesday.

“Because they were so egregious,” White said of what was different this time. “I mean, the fist in the throat is crazy. It’s crazy. It’s dangerous. The landing spot, when you went to review it and she still comes down on top of another foot. Like, I don’t know, cause to me, that’s like a do-over on a test. How do you screw it up again?

”When you have these things continue to happen time and time and time and time and time again, eventually it gets frustrating, but I thought those were just more egregious.”

Frustration this season has piled up for the Fever, who fell to 10-7 with the loss. Indiana has struggled to string together wins and set the league record for most losses when scoring 100+ points in a season on Wednesday.

But, too often, the game itself is taking a back seat to moments like Wednesday’s. And for White, enough was enough.

#Stephanie #White #blasts #officials #cheap #shots #Caitlin #Clark">Stephanie White blasts officials after ‘cheap shots’ on Caitlin Clark INDIANAPOLIS — After a second straight game defined largely by non-basketball plays involving Caitlin Clark, Fever head coach Stephanie White hit her breaking point.Wednesday’s 111-109 loss to the Mercury featured Clark leaving with an injury midway through the third quarter. Still plenty took place before then.A pair of incidents in the second quarter saw Clark take a beating before eventually leaving the game with a back injury. White unloaded on the officials in her postgame press conference, calling the lack of calls “egregious” and “utterly disrespectful.”“We have a generational talent and a WNBA superstar who had two cheap shots right there that weren’t called,” White said. “And I just say again, absolutely unacceptable.“We spent all offseason looking at officiating. All offseason. And I still say the one thing that we keep asking for is consistency. She is not called the same way everybody else is called.”First, Clark and Alyssa Thomas got tangled in the paint while battling for a loose ball in a sequence that saw Thomas push her fist into Clark’s neck, knee her in the stomach and then step over her. No foul was called and the play wasn’t reviewed.One possession later, Clark was fouled on a 3-pointer, leading to an awkward landing. Clark, who has dealt with a back injury most of the season, was slow to get up and looked to be in discomfort. The officials reviewed the play, but not for a potential flagrant foul or a landing zone violation.Instead, the review was for a potential hostile act by Clark for hitting her defender in the face.She remained in the game and even started the second half. However, Clark left near the midway point of the quarter and was ruled out for the rest of the game due to the back injury. White did not have an update on Clark’s status after the game.All of this came on the heels of these two teams having multiple scuffles in their meeting on Monday, resulting in a slew of technical fouls and plenty of bad blood.“Number one, you got to call [the foul on Thomas],” White said. “It’s absolutely egregious and utterly disrespectful. And then No. 2, you’re coming in here aware of what happened two nights ago and that s— still happens? Absolutely unacceptable. Absolutely unacceptable.“And the reckless closeout that they’ve actually reviewed, and the foot still comes down on top of the defender’s foot that wasn’t upgraded? Absolutely disrespectful.”White is not new to calling out officials. Last season, she also called the officiating “disrespectful” following a controversial late play against the Liberty. Nearly a month later, following a game that saw multiple technicals, flagrants and ejections against the Sun, White again criticized the officials for not improving along with the rest of the league.White has also defended her star player this season, but never as passionately as she did on Wednesday.“Because they were so egregious,” White said of what was different this time. “I mean, the fist in the throat is crazy. It’s crazy. It’s dangerous. The landing spot, when you went to review it and she still comes down on top of another foot. Like, I don’t know, cause to me, that’s like a do-over on a test. How do you screw it up again?”When you have these things continue to happen time and time and time and time and time again, eventually it gets frustrating, but I thought those were just more egregious.”Frustration this season has piled up for the Fever, who fell to 10-7 with the loss. Indiana has struggled to string together wins and set the league record for most losses when scoring 100+ points in a season on Wednesday.But, too often, the game itself is taking a back seat to moments like Wednesday’s. And for White, enough was enough. #Stephanie #White #blasts #officials #cheap #shots #Caitlin #Clark

having multiple scuffles in their meeting on Monday, resulting in a slew of technical fouls and plenty of bad blood.

“Number one, you got to call [the foul on Thomas],” White said. “It’s absolutely egregious and utterly disrespectful. And then No. 2, you’re coming in here aware of what happened two nights ago and that s— still happens? Absolutely unacceptable. Absolutely unacceptable.

“And the reckless closeout that they’ve actually reviewed, and the foot still comes down on top of the defender’s foot that wasn’t upgraded? Absolutely disrespectful.”

White is not new to calling out officials. Last season, she also called the officiating “disrespectful” following a controversial late play against the Liberty. Nearly a month later, following a game that saw multiple technicals, flagrants and ejections against the Sun, White again criticized the officials for not improving along with the rest of the league.

White has also defended her star player this season, but never as passionately as she did on Wednesday.

“Because they were so egregious,” White said of what was different this time. “I mean, the fist in the throat is crazy. It’s crazy. It’s dangerous. The landing spot, when you went to review it and she still comes down on top of another foot. Like, I don’t know, cause to me, that’s like a do-over on a test. How do you screw it up again?

”When you have these things continue to happen time and time and time and time and time again, eventually it gets frustrating, but I thought those were just more egregious.”

Frustration this season has piled up for the Fever, who fell to 10-7 with the loss. Indiana has struggled to string together wins and set the league record for most losses when scoring 100+ points in a season on Wednesday.

But, too often, the game itself is taking a back seat to moments like Wednesday’s. And for White, enough was enough.

#Stephanie #White #blasts #officials #cheap #shots #Caitlin #Clark">Stephanie White blasts officials after ‘cheap shots’ on Caitlin Clark

INDIANAPOLIS — After a second straight game defined largely by non-basketball plays involving Caitlin Clark, Fever head coach Stephanie White hit her breaking point.

Wednesday’s 111-109 loss to the Mercury featured Clark leaving with an injury midway through the third quarter. Still plenty took place before then.

A pair of incidents in the second quarter saw Clark take a beating before eventually leaving the game with a back injury. White unloaded on the officials in her postgame press conference, calling the lack of calls “egregious” and “utterly disrespectful.”

“We have a generational talent and a WNBA superstar who had two cheap shots right there that weren’t called,” White said. “And I just say again, absolutely unacceptable.

“We spent all offseason looking at officiating. All offseason. And I still say the one thing that we keep asking for is consistency. She is not called the same way everybody else is called.”

First, Clark and Alyssa Thomas got tangled in the paint while battling for a loose ball in a sequence that saw Thomas push her fist into Clark’s neck, knee her in the stomach and then step over her. No foul was called and the play wasn’t reviewed.

One possession later, Clark was fouled on a 3-pointer, leading to an awkward landing. Clark, who has dealt with a back injury most of the season, was slow to get up and looked to be in discomfort. The officials reviewed the play, but not for a potential flagrant foul or a landing zone violation.

Instead, the review was for a potential hostile act by Clark for hitting her defender in the face.

She remained in the game and even started the second half. However, Clark left near the midway point of the quarter and was ruled out for the rest of the game due to the back injury. White did not have an update on Clark’s status after the game.

All of this came on the heels of these two teams having multiple scuffles in their meeting on Monday, resulting in a slew of technical fouls and plenty of bad blood.

“Number one, you got to call [the foul on Thomas],” White said. “It’s absolutely egregious and utterly disrespectful. And then No. 2, you’re coming in here aware of what happened two nights ago and that s— still happens? Absolutely unacceptable. Absolutely unacceptable.

“And the reckless closeout that they’ve actually reviewed, and the foot still comes down on top of the defender’s foot that wasn’t upgraded? Absolutely disrespectful.”

White is not new to calling out officials. Last season, she also called the officiating “disrespectful” following a controversial late play against the Liberty. Nearly a month later, following a game that saw multiple technicals, flagrants and ejections against the Sun, White again criticized the officials for not improving along with the rest of the league.

White has also defended her star player this season, but never as passionately as she did on Wednesday.

“Because they were so egregious,” White said of what was different this time. “I mean, the fist in the throat is crazy. It’s crazy. It’s dangerous. The landing spot, when you went to review it and she still comes down on top of another foot. Like, I don’t know, cause to me, that’s like a do-over on a test. How do you screw it up again?

”When you have these things continue to happen time and time and time and time and time again, eventually it gets frustrating, but I thought those were just more egregious.”

Frustration this season has piled up for the Fever, who fell to 10-7 with the loss. Indiana has struggled to string together wins and set the league record for most losses when scoring 100+ points in a season on Wednesday.

But, too often, the game itself is taking a back seat to moments like Wednesday’s. And for White, enough was enough.

#Stephanie #White #blasts #officials #cheap #shots #Caitlin #Clark

Host England became the first team to qualify for the Women’s Twenty20 World Cup semifinals with a group match to spare after beating West Indies by 38 runs at a sweltering Lord’s on Wednesday.

Both former champions entered the contest unbeaten, but Danni Wyatt-Hodge batted England out of West Indies’ reach with a 65 off 42 balls. Wyatt-Hodge is now the tournament’s leading run-scorer with 193 runs at an average of 65.

West Indies can still reach the semifinals if it beats winless Ireland in its final group-stage match on Saturday.

On the hottest June day ever recorded in Britain, the evening match began in 35 degrees Celsius, with the on-field temperature reaching 41 C. England posted an imposing 186 for 7, the highest women’s T20 total at Lord’s and the second highest by either a men’s or women’s side at the venue.

No team has successfully chased 187 in a Women’s T20 World Cup, and West Indies was restricted to 148 for 5. The required run rate climbed to 10 an over after just two overs and, at 69 for 4 in the 11th over, the chase had all but fizzled out despite England producing a sloppy fielding display.

Wyatt-Hodge, who opened the tournament with a century against Sri Lanka, raced to a 32-ball half-century. She survived a missed run-out on 58 and a dropped catch on 59 before eventually being run out for 65 after a mix-up with batting partner Heather Knight. Her innings included eight boundaries.

“I’m happy it was my night tonight,” Wyatt-Hodge said. “That was the hottest I’ve played in here in England. It felt like Dubai a couple of years ago (2024 T20 World Cup). But I enjoyed it, we came out all guns blazing.”

Knight, who was dropped on 14, chipped in with 43 off 26 balls before she, too, was run out.

West Indies captain Hayley Matthews was left furious after being given out on review for 14 in the fourth over. UltraEdge showed a spike despite a visible gap between bat and ball, prompting Matthews to argue with the umpire before eventually accepting the decision.

Deandra Dottin fell for 19, caught in the deep, while Shemaine Campbelle was bowled for 20. From there, West Indies appeared to retreat into its shell. Chinelle Henry struck an unbeaten 51 off 30 balls, but her late flourish came with the outcome already beyond doubt.

Henry was dropped on 10, 28 and 45 as England spilled six catches, its most in a Women’s T20 international in the last two years.

Published on Jun 25, 2026

#England #beats #West #Indies #reach #Womens #T20 #World #Cup #semifinals">England beats West Indies to reach Women’s T20 World Cup semifinals Host England became the first team to qualify for the Women’s Twenty20 World Cup semifinals with a group match to spare after beating West Indies by 38 runs at a sweltering Lord’s on Wednesday.Both former champions entered the contest unbeaten, but Danni Wyatt-Hodge batted England out of West Indies’ reach with a 65 off 42 balls. Wyatt-Hodge is now the tournament’s leading run-scorer with 193 runs at an average of 65.West Indies can still reach the semifinals if it beats winless Ireland in its final group-stage match on Saturday.On the hottest June day ever recorded in Britain, the evening match began in 35 degrees Celsius, with the on-field temperature reaching 41 C. England posted an imposing 186 for 7, the highest women’s T20 total at Lord’s and the second highest by either a men’s or women’s side at the venue.No team has successfully chased 187 in a Women’s T20 World Cup, and West Indies was restricted to 148 for 5. The required run rate climbed to 10 an over after just two overs and, at 69 for 4 in the 11th over, the chase had all but fizzled out despite England producing a sloppy fielding display.Wyatt-Hodge, who opened the tournament with a century against Sri Lanka, raced to a 32-ball half-century. She survived a missed run-out on 58 and a dropped catch on 59 before eventually being run out for 65 after a mix-up with batting partner Heather Knight. Her innings included eight boundaries.“I’m happy it was my night tonight,” Wyatt-Hodge said. “That was the hottest I’ve played in here in England. It felt like Dubai a couple of years ago (2024 T20 World Cup). But I enjoyed it, we came out all guns blazing.”Knight, who was dropped on 14, chipped in with 43 off 26 balls before she, too, was run out.West Indies captain Hayley Matthews was left furious after being given out on review for 14 in the fourth over. UltraEdge showed a spike despite a visible gap between bat and ball, prompting Matthews to argue with the umpire before eventually accepting the decision.Deandra Dottin fell for 19, caught in the deep, while Shemaine Campbelle was bowled for 20. From there, West Indies appeared to retreat into its shell. Chinelle Henry struck an unbeaten 51 off 30 balls, but her late flourish came with the outcome already beyond doubt.Henry was dropped on 10, 28 and 45 as England spilled six catches, its most in a Women’s T20 international in the last two years.Published on Jun 25, 2026 #England #beats #West #Indies #reach #Womens #T20 #World #Cup #semifinals

The first round of the NBA was completed last night, and the top of the draft went as expected. We’ve known for about a month how the first four picks would land, with the consensus that these players could all be future All-Stars and immediately help whichever team they landed on.

To most, the draft truly started at pick five, so I’m here to grade my three winners of the draft outside of the teams who picked in the top four.

Golden State Warriors: Yaxel Lendeborg

Most people believe this iteration of the Warriors might be past their prime; however, if they can stay healthy, they might have found a big man who can help immediately.

I don’t love drafting a 23-year-old in the lottery, but Yaxel Lendeborg is so toolsy that I love the pick. He was one of the best two-way players in the country while helping to lead Michigan to a national title this past year.

He’s a guy who can do a little bit of everything. He defends well, and can float off-ball as a help defender, space the floor where he shot 37.2% this year from three, and even has potential to be a solid playmaker in an offense that has Steph Curry and Jimmy Butler.

Sometimes in a draft, you don’t overthink it, and take the best player available, and I believe that’s what the Warriors did with pick 11 in the draft.

Phoenix Suns: Koa Peat

The third pick in this draft, Cameron Boozer, is an old-school, high-IQ, undersized forward with a massive wingspan that is explosive on the block. He felt like one of the safest picks in the draft, especially with his above-average jump shot. Koa Peat feels like a watered-down Boozer to me.

The Suns desperately need to add some physicality to this team, and while they still didn’t add a ready-to-play center, Peat will bring immediate physicality to the Suns. He hustles, rebounds really well for his position, can guard multiple positions, and can drive and finish at an elite level.

He has a ton of tools despite not having an NBA-level jumper. You can never expect a player to develop a jump shot while in the league, but mechanically, I don’t think it would be impossible for Peat to do so. He has an incredibly high ceiling for the last pick in the draft, and a steal for a team that came into the night without a pick.

Charlotte Hornets: Christian Anderson Jr.

While I don’t love the Hornets’ first pick in Hannes Steinbach, I think their second pick of the night might have been the biggest steal of the evening.

The Hornets developed an identity as a great shooting team last year with Brandon Miller, LaMelo Ball, and Kon Knueppel. Now they’ve added what might be the best shooter in the class in Christian Anderson, making them one of the most dangerous teams to guard on the perimeter.

Charlotte was one of the most fun watches last season, and that got even better with this pick. Anderson has his weaknesses as a scorer, since he struggles to get to the hoop, and he will also be an undersized defender, but the team around him hides those weaknesses very well. He can mostly be a spot-up shooter with the Hornets, and will get a ton of open looks with the guys surrounding him. I expect him to have a long NBA career because shooting will always play in the modern NBA.

#Teams #Crushed #NBA #Draft #Deadspin.com">Three Teams That Crushed the NBA Draft First Round | Deadspin.com The first round of the NBA was completed last night, and the top of the draft went as expected. We’ve known for about a month how the first four picks would land, with the consensus that these players could all be future All-Stars and immediately help whichever team they landed on.To most, the draft truly started at pick five, so I’m here to grade my three winners of the draft outside of the teams who picked in the top four.Golden State Warriors: Yaxel LendeborgMost people believe this iteration of the Warriors might be past their prime; however, if they can stay healthy, they might have found a big man who can help immediately.I don’t love drafting a 23-year-old in the lottery, but Yaxel Lendeborg is so toolsy that I love the pick. He was one of the best two-way players in the country while helping to lead Michigan to a national title this past year.He’s a guy who can do a little bit of everything. He defends well, and can float off-ball as a help defender, space the floor where he shot 37.2% this year from three, and even has potential to be a solid playmaker in an offense that has Steph Curry and Jimmy Butler.Sometimes in a draft, you don’t overthink it, and take the best player available, and I believe that’s what the Warriors did with pick 11 in the draft.Phoenix Suns: Koa PeatThe third pick in this draft, Cameron Boozer, is an old-school, high-IQ, undersized forward with a massive wingspan that is explosive on the block. He felt like one of the safest picks in the draft, especially with his above-average jump shot. Koa Peat feels like a watered-down Boozer to me.The Suns desperately need to add some physicality to this team, and while they still didn’t add a ready-to-play center, Peat will bring immediate physicality to the Suns. He hustles, rebounds really well for his position, can guard multiple positions, and can drive and finish at an elite level.He has a ton of tools despite not having an NBA-level jumper. You can never expect a player to develop a jump shot while in the league, but mechanically, I don’t think it would be impossible for Peat to do so. He has an incredibly high ceiling for the last pick in the draft, and a steal for a team that came into the night without a pick.Charlotte Hornets: Christian Anderson Jr.While I don’t love the Hornets’ first pick in Hannes Steinbach, I think their second pick of the night might have been the biggest steal of the evening.The Hornets developed an identity as a great shooting team last year with Brandon Miller, LaMelo Ball, and Kon Knueppel. Now they’ve added what might be the best shooter in the class in Christian Anderson, making them one of the most dangerous teams to guard on the perimeter.Charlotte was one of the most fun watches last season, and that got even better with this pick. Anderson has his weaknesses as a scorer, since he struggles to get to the hoop, and he will also be an undersized defender, but the team around him hides those weaknesses very well. He can mostly be a spot-up shooter with the Hornets, and will get a ton of open looks with the guys surrounding him. I expect him to have a long NBA career because shooting will always play in the modern NBA. #Teams #Crushed #NBA #Draft #Deadspin.com

drafting a 23-year-old in the lottery, but Yaxel Lendeborg is so toolsy that I love the pick. He was one of the best two-way players in the country while helping to lead Michigan to a national title this past year.

He’s a guy who can do a little bit of everything. He defends well, and can float off-ball as a help defender, space the floor where he shot 37.2% this year from three, and even has potential to be a solid playmaker in an offense that has Steph Curry and Jimmy Butler.

Sometimes in a draft, you don’t overthink it, and take the best player available, and I believe that’s what the Warriors did with pick 11 in the draft.

Phoenix Suns: Koa Peat

The third pick in this draft, Cameron Boozer, is an old-school, high-IQ, undersized forward with a massive wingspan that is explosive on the block. He felt like one of the safest picks in the draft, especially with his above-average jump shot. Koa Peat feels like a watered-down Boozer to me.

The Suns desperately need to add some physicality to this team, and while they still didn’t add a ready-to-play center, Peat will bring immediate physicality to the Suns. He hustles, rebounds really well for his position, can guard multiple positions, and can drive and finish at an elite level.

He has a ton of tools despite not having an NBA-level jumper. You can never expect a player to develop a jump shot while in the league, but mechanically, I don’t think it would be impossible for Peat to do so. He has an incredibly high ceiling for the last pick in the draft, and a steal for a team that came into the night without a pick.

Charlotte Hornets: Christian Anderson Jr.

While I don’t love the Hornets’ first pick in Hannes Steinbach, I think their second pick of the night might have been the biggest steal of the evening.

The Hornets developed an identity as a great shooting team last year with Brandon Miller, LaMelo Ball, and Kon Knueppel. Now they’ve added what might be the best shooter in the class in Christian Anderson, making them one of the most dangerous teams to guard on the perimeter.

Charlotte was one of the most fun watches last season, and that got even better with this pick. Anderson has his weaknesses as a scorer, since he struggles to get to the hoop, and he will also be an undersized defender, but the team around him hides those weaknesses very well. He can mostly be a spot-up shooter with the Hornets, and will get a ton of open looks with the guys surrounding him. I expect him to have a long NBA career because shooting will always play in the modern NBA.

#Teams #Crushed #NBA #Draft #Deadspin.com">Three Teams That Crushed the NBA Draft First Round | Deadspin.com

The first round of the NBA was completed last night, and the top of the draft went as expected. We’ve known for about a month how the first four picks would land, with the consensus that these players could all be future All-Stars and immediately help whichever team they landed on.

To most, the draft truly started at pick five, so I’m here to grade my three winners of the draft outside of the teams who picked in the top four.

Golden State Warriors: Yaxel Lendeborg

Most people believe this iteration of the Warriors might be past their prime; however, if they can stay healthy, they might have found a big man who can help immediately.

I don’t love drafting a 23-year-old in the lottery, but Yaxel Lendeborg is so toolsy that I love the pick. He was one of the best two-way players in the country while helping to lead Michigan to a national title this past year.

He’s a guy who can do a little bit of everything. He defends well, and can float off-ball as a help defender, space the floor where he shot 37.2% this year from three, and even has potential to be a solid playmaker in an offense that has Steph Curry and Jimmy Butler.

Sometimes in a draft, you don’t overthink it, and take the best player available, and I believe that’s what the Warriors did with pick 11 in the draft.

Phoenix Suns: Koa Peat

The third pick in this draft, Cameron Boozer, is an old-school, high-IQ, undersized forward with a massive wingspan that is explosive on the block. He felt like one of the safest picks in the draft, especially with his above-average jump shot. Koa Peat feels like a watered-down Boozer to me.

The Suns desperately need to add some physicality to this team, and while they still didn’t add a ready-to-play center, Peat will bring immediate physicality to the Suns. He hustles, rebounds really well for his position, can guard multiple positions, and can drive and finish at an elite level.

He has a ton of tools despite not having an NBA-level jumper. You can never expect a player to develop a jump shot while in the league, but mechanically, I don’t think it would be impossible for Peat to do so. He has an incredibly high ceiling for the last pick in the draft, and a steal for a team that came into the night without a pick.

Charlotte Hornets: Christian Anderson Jr.

While I don’t love the Hornets’ first pick in Hannes Steinbach, I think their second pick of the night might have been the biggest steal of the evening.

The Hornets developed an identity as a great shooting team last year with Brandon Miller, LaMelo Ball, and Kon Knueppel. Now they’ve added what might be the best shooter in the class in Christian Anderson, making them one of the most dangerous teams to guard on the perimeter.

Charlotte was one of the most fun watches last season, and that got even better with this pick. Anderson has his weaknesses as a scorer, since he struggles to get to the hoop, and he will also be an undersized defender, but the team around him hides those weaknesses very well. He can mostly be a spot-up shooter with the Hornets, and will get a ton of open looks with the guys surrounding him. I expect him to have a long NBA career because shooting will always play in the modern NBA.

#Teams #Crushed #NBA #Draft #Deadspin.com

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