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New York Times
15-05-2025
- Sport
- New York Times
Pressure on the Knicks is piling up – will they cope or crumble?
The New York Knicks had the Boston Celtics on the ropes heading into Game 5 on Wednesday night — not only were they up 3-1 on the defending champions, but the Celtics were also without Jayson Tatum. But after a resounding 127-102 loss in TD Garden, the series now heads back to New York for Game 6 on Friday night. Win that, and the Knicks will advance to the Eastern Conference finals for the first time since 2000. Lose, and it's back to Boston for a Game 7. On the latest episode of 'The Athletic NBA Daily,' Dave DuFour and Es Baraheni were joined by Fred Katz to break down what went wrong for the Knicks in Game 5. The story of the greatest players in NBA history. In 100 riveting profiles, top basketball writers justify their selections and uncover the history of the NBA in the process. The story of the greatest players in NBA history. They discussed whether New York needs to lean on Mitchell Robinson more in Game 6 and start with a double-big lineup, the importance of a bounce-back game from Jalen Brunson on Friday night after fouling out in Game 5, and why Karl-Anthony Towns has to be more aggressive shooting from beyond the arc. Watch the discussion below. Watch the full episode of 'NBA Daily' below or on the YouTube channel, or via the 'NBA Daily' podcast feed on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. (Top Photo: Nathaniel S. Butler / NBAE via Getty Images)
New York Times
14-05-2025
- Sport
- New York Times
What do the Cavaliers need to bounce back next season?
The Cleveland Cavaliers dominated the Eastern Conference from the jump this season, becoming just the fourth team in NBA history to start a season 15-0 and amassing 64 wins in the regular season, the second most in franchise history. As the No. 1 seed, the expectation was a conference finals berth at minimum. But after just five games in the second round, Cleveland's season is over following a 114-105 loss Tuesday to the Indiana Pacers. Advertisement On the latest episode of 'The Athletic NBA Daily,' Dave DuFour and Zena Keita broke down whether the Cavaliers should run it back with the same core, the need for Cleveland to add more depth to the roster and whether Jayson Tatum's Achilles injury, which has cast doubt over the Boston Celtics' future, opens a door in the East next season. Check out the discussion below. Watch the full episode of 'NBA Daily' below or on the YouTube channel or via the 'NBA Daily' podcast feed on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
New York Times
02-05-2025
- Sport
- New York Times
Rudy Gobert's ‘absurd' performance. Plus, who would the Wolves rather face?
Despite entering the playoffs through the Play-In Tournament and without home-court advantage, the Minnesota Timberwolves are through to the Western Conference semifinals after a resounding 4-1 gentleman's sweep of the Los Angeles Lakers, sealed by Wednesday night's 103-96 win at the Arena. Advertisement The stakes will only get higher for Minnesota, as it now awaits the winner of the Golden State Warriors-Houston Rockets series. While the Timberwolves split the season series with Houston 2-2, the Rockets would have home-court advantage if they were to progress, and Minnesota lost the season series against the Warriors, 3-1. However, the Timberwolves already proved the doubters wrong against the Lakers. And if Anthony Edwards needed any extra motivation, the 23-year-old could add Stephen Curry to his growing list of playoff scalps if Golden State were to advance. On the latest episode of 'The Athletic NBA Daily,' Dave DuFour and Es Baraheni discussed Rudy Gobert's dominant performance, the Timberwolves advancing despite their poor shooting night, Julius Randle stepping up in Game 5, and whether Houston or Golden State is a better match up for Minnesota. Watch the full discussion below. Watch the full episode of 'NBA Daily' below or on the YouTube channel, or via the 'NBA Daily' podcast feed on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
New York Times
29-04-2025
- Sport
- New York Times
Thunder or Cavaliers? Which team had the most impressive NBA playoff sweep?
The Oklahoma City Thunder and Cleveland Cavaliers were the NBA's standout teams during the regular season, and both carried their dominance into the playoffs with first-round sweeps over the Memphis Grizzlies and Miami Heat, respectively. Oklahoma City now awaits the winner of the nail-biting series between the Denver Nuggets and LA Clippers, a series currently tied 2-2 and is a candidate to go seven games. Cleveland will face the winner of the Indiana Pacers-Milwaukee Bucks series, which Indiana currently leads 3-1. Advertisement Given how dominant both teams were during the regular season, anything short of an NBA Finals appearance would be a disappointment in the eyes of many. The two teams combined for 132 regular-season wins, compared to only 32 losses. For that to happen, the Thunder first must get past a dangerous, battle-tested Nuggets or Clippers team just to get to the Western Conference finals, while the Cavaliers will have to take down either the Pacers or Bucks, then likely will have to overcome the defending-champion Boston Celtics in the Eastern Conference finals. On the latest episode of 'The Athletic NBA Daily,' Dave DuFour and Es Baraheni discussed whether the Thunder or the Cavaliers had the most impressive sweep and who the most important player for each team is going forward. They also discussed which of the series currently at 3-1 are over and whether the Nuggets or Clippers will advance. Watch the full episode of 'The Athletic NBA Daily' below or on the YouTube channel or via the 'The Athletic NBA Daily' podcast feed on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
New York Times
28-04-2025
- Sport
- New York Times
The Pistons-Knicks Game 4 no-call: How costly could that be?
After getting the split they hoped for in New York, the Detroit Pistons were feeling good about their chances in this series with the Knicks as they headed back home. But after back-to-back losses, they now find themselves on the brink of elimination, needing to steal another game at Madison Square Garden to stay alive. Advertisement The story of Sunday's heartbreaking 94-93 Game 4 loss undoubtedly was the controversial no-call in the final second. Officials admitted postgame that a foul should have been called on Tim Hardaway Jr., which would have given Detroit three free throws with just 0.3 seconds remaining — a potentially series-altering mistake. On the latest episode of 'The Athletic NBA Daily,' Dave DuFour and Es Baraheni discussed the foul on Hardaway and whether the series is now over with the Pistons down 3-1 heading back to New York. Additionally, DuFour and Baraheni talked about the Denver Nuggets' Game 4 win over the LA Clippers, capped by Aaron Gordon's dramatic game-winning dunk. They also discussed whether Los Angeles Lakers coach JJ Redick was wrong to play his starters heavy minutes in their 116-113 Game 4 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves, as well as how Anthony Edwards has stepped up in the series. Also included in the episode is whether the Milwaukee Bucks' championship window is closed after their 129-103 loss to the Indiana Pacers, which put them down 3-1 and on the brink of elimination in the series. DuFour and Baraheni also discussed the positive signs from the Orlando Magic, despite being 3-1 down against the Boston Celtics, and previewed Game 4 of the Golden State Warriors-Houston Rockets series. Watch the full episode of 'The Athletic NBA Daily' below or on the YouTube channel, or via the 'The Athletic NBA Daily' podcast feed on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
