On the greatest comeback and collapse in Finals history and a game — and series — that San Antonio and New York will never, ever forget, for very different reasons. Live from an emotional inflection point, for Y! sports.yahoo.com/nba/article/...
NBA Finals: Epic collapse leaves Victor Wembanyama, Spurs searching for answers
OG Anunoby's tip-in with 1.2 seconds left in regulation was technically the game-winner, but San Antonio accepted defeat long before that.
sports.yahoo.com
“It's hard to put your head out of the water." In the loudest city in the world, with the pressure of an 0-2 hole threatening their season, Victor Wembanyama did what he does best — found the silence. On the man in the Garden, French art and survival instincts. sports.yahoo.com/nba/article/...
NBA Finals: Victor Wembanyama finds redemption with Madison Square Garden takeover
After taking the blame for the Spurs' Game 2 loss and series deficit, Wemby responded the only way he knows how — with cool, calm dominance.
sports.yahoo.com
The audacity, gall, insanity and irrational confidence of Alex Caruso For Y!: sports.yahoo.com/nba/article/...
How Alex Caruso, OKC’s agent of chaos, dared to conquer Victor Wembanyama and unleash the Thunder’s elite depth
Alex Caruso's playoff contributions have become central to Oklahoma City's championship credentials, a testament to the many forms elite skill can take.
sports.yahoo.com
For Y!, a Western Conference Final preview: Wembanyama versus the world, the non-SGA minutes where the Thunder can inflict damage and how the Spurs’ corner 3 efficiency can make or break this series. sports.yahoo.com/nba/article/...
Spurs vs. Thunder: Who will win epic West showdown with NBA Finals on the line? Series keys, schedule and prediction
Here's everything you need to know about the Western Conference finals matchup between San Antonio and Oklahoma City.
sports.yahoo.com
“We play really well off each other defensively.” There are a few certainties in life: death, taxes and the rim protection, synergy and versatility of Chet Holmgren and Isaiah Hartenstein, the foundation of a firm 2-0 series lead. New for Y!: sports.yahoo.com/nba/article/...
Thunder's defense is breaking the Lakers, starting with Chet Holmgren and Isaiah Hartenstein
Oklahoma City's defense, a vast, multilayered network of nuance, skill, aggression and precision, challenges even the smartest of opposition.
sports.yahoo.com
“Everybody’s disappointed” On the peculiar past, present and future prognosis of the Houston Rockets — a team oscillating between development and contention — and an organization that needs clarity, cohesion and creativity. For Y!: sports.yahoo.com/nba/article/...
After dreadful season-ending loss at home, the Rockets have no shortage of questions about their future
Houston has a lot of problems and a number of avenues for improvement. Will it go big-game hunting this offseason to pair a star with Kevin Durant?
sports.yahoo.com
"It’s hard not to think about how long I’ve been in the league and how much longer I [have] to go." On Father Time, resiliency and why the young Rockets' playoff hopes reside in the oldest guy in the room. A Kevin Durant exclusive, for Y! sports.yahoo.com/nba/article/...
2026 NBA playoffs: Why the youthful Rockets' hopes rest on Kevin Durant, the oldest man in the room
The Rockets' season has been centered on a legend yet to slow down and an organization that made the biggest offseason move just for the privilege of greatness.
sports.yahoo.com
For Y! — On the curious case of the Knicks, the Jalen Brunson/KAT conundrum and issues that come with looking in the mirror every once in a while. @yahoosports.bsky.social sports.yahoo.com/nba/article/...
Are the Knicks heading for a postseason roadblock?
New York lost its third straight game Tuesday against Houston, once again highlighting a number of concerns for the East contenders.
sports.yahoo.com
For Y! — On the curious case of the Knicks, the Jalen Brunson/KAT conundrum and issues that come with looking in the mirror every once in a while. @yahoosports.bsky.social sports.yahoo.com/nba/article/...
Are the Knicks heading for a postseason roadblock?
New York lost its third straight game Tuesday against Houston, once again highlighting a number of concerns for the East contenders.
sports.yahoo.com
This week, on Y! Cade Cunningham’s greatest strength might be Detroit’s fatal flaw: sports.yahoo.com/nba/article/... On the new, old Marcus Smart: sports.yahoo.com/nba/article/... Reed Sheppard is peaking at the right time for Houston, but what is his true role?: sports.yahoo.com/nba/article/...
Should we be concerned about Cade Cunningham and the Pistons in the postseason?
Victor Wembanyama and the Spurs highlighted Detroit's limitations in a changing environment, routing the Pistons 121-106 Thursday night.
sports.yahoo.com
The GREAT @kellyiko.bsky.social and I went back and forth on the upcoming NBA Trade Deadline which is a mere fortnight and change away. Ideas floated around included new addresses for Lauri Markkanen, Ja Morant, Zion Williamson, and.... Deni Avdija?
2025 NBA trade season: Should the Pistons and Spurs go all in at the deadline?
With the trade deadline approaching, we ponder the teams and situations that could be active.
sports.yahoo.com
Houston’s anemic showing vs. OKC wasn’t just an isolated incident on national TV. On the gulfs in class, the cracks starting to show for a team without a quarterback and why a pivot before the trade deadline might be necessary. For Y! Sports: sports.yahoo.com/nba/article/...
What the Thunder exposed about the Rockets — and why their slump can't be ignored ahead of trade deadline
Thursday night's offensive fiasco was a microcosm of the issues surrounding this talented Rockets team as of late.
sports.yahoo.com
With Memphis recently making Ja Morant available via trade, the Miami Heat have emerged as an attractive landing spot to the Grizzlies guard and his camp, sources tell Y! Sports sports.yahoo.com/nba/article/...
Sources: Miami Heat have quickly emerged as an attractive option to Ja Morant and his camp
Disappointed by reported trade talks, Morant plans to meet with his camp about his future during Grizzlies’ trip in Europe, sources say.
sports.yahoo.com
On the departure of Trae Young, the dichotomy of Anthony Davis and what Atlanta’s lingering gaze says about their now-and-later organizational intentions. New for Y! Sports sports.yahoo.com/nba/article/...
Behind the Hawks' interest in Anthony Davis and the hurdles that exist in a deal with Dallas
The Hawks could attempt to pair Davis with breakout star Jalen Johnson before the Feb. 5 trade deadline.
sports.yahoo.com
On Jaylen Brown, the new quarterback of the No. 1 offense in the NBA doing the little things for the Celtics making a world of a difference. New words for @yahoosports.bsky.social sports.yahoo.com/nba/article/...
Gap year? Behind the Celtics' surge in the East with Jaylen Brown playing quarterback
Boston's rise in the standings is forcing a recalibration of the Eastern Conference hierarchy.
sports.yahoo.com
On Jaylen Brown, the new quarterback of the No. 1 offense in the NBA doing the little things for the Celtics making a world of a difference. New words for @yahoosports.bsky.social sports.yahoo.com/nba/article/...
Gap year? Behind the Celtics' surge in the East with Jaylen Brown playing quarterback
Boston's rise in the standings is forcing a recalibration of the Eastern Conference hierarchy.
sports.yahoo.com
“I always wanted to be a guy that does sh— instead of says sh—” For @yahoosports.bsky.social, a sitdown with Kevin Durant on evolution, setting an example, finding his voice and the hybrid balancing act that leadership entails for the surging Rockets. sports.yahoo.com/nba/article/...
'He's the ultimate vet:' How Kevin Durant is embracing his role as a leader of the Rockets
Durant is making an immediate impact in his new home with Houston off to a red-hot start.
sports.yahoo.com
The first week of NBA action is officially in the books ‼️ The IkoSystem, live on @yahoosports.bsky.social • Jonathan Kuminga’s two-way maturation • Alperen Şengün and inverted PnRS • John Collins’ cutting consolidation sports.yahoo.com/nba/article/...
The IkoSystem: Jonathan Kuminga's two-way maturation, John Collins cutting and baby steps in Houston
Our first regular season installment of The IkoSystem takes things out West, looking at the Warriors, Clippers and Rockets.
sports.yahoo.com
Something new! The great @kellyiko.bsky.social and I will be chopping it up on Yahoo Sports this season, as we go back and forth on multiple topics throughout the year. First up, Kelly and I discuss the willing mid-tier teams. sports.yahoo.com/nba/article/...
Why are some NBA teams content with being monsters of the middle?
Kelly Iko and Morten Stig Jensen discuss how teams like the Bulls and Kings seem all too happy to remain in a recurring nightmare of mediocrity.
sports.yahoo.com
Next up: I wrote about the Magic, who paid a heavy price in pursuit of a championship-caliber offense: yhoo.it/4hcoFxz And @kellyiko.bsky.social (!) popped in to write about the Rockets, and whether they really were just a Kevin Durant away from a title: yhoo.it/3W4uAev
Orlando Magic 2025-26 season preview: A new powerhouse in the East? Why a surprise Finals run isn't far-fetched
Breaking down the biggest question, best- and worst-case scenarios, and win projection for the Magic in 2025-26.
yhoo.it
Excited to announce The IkoSystem is back on @yahoosports.bsky.social ! Our first preseason edition takes a look at Alperen Şengün's spacing solvent in Houston', the Devin Booker/Jordan Ott distribution relationship and hope for the Lakers' rim protection. sports.yahoo.com/nba/article/...
NBA preseason: Devin Booker’s distribution, Lakers’ rim protection hopes and Houston's spacing solution
A look at Phoenix’s playmaking plan, buying stock in Ayton-Hayes Island and a spacing fix in Houston’s land of bigs.
sports.yahoo.com
KD to the Rockets is a perfect fit, says @kellyiko.bsky.social in our latest Athletic Spotlight video. Watch the full video here. www.nytimes.com/athletic/646...
The Rockets intend to sign F Jabari Smith Jr. to a five-year, $122 million extension that contains no team or player options, sources tell @kellyiko.bsky.social.
SOURCES: The Rockets maintained a firm stance in their refusal to include these young players in the Kevin Durant trade: ◽️ Reed Sheppard ◽️ Jabari Smith Jr. ◽️ Tari Eason H/T @samamick.bsky.social, @kellyiko.bsky.social
www.nytimes.com/athletic/643... Kevin Durant trade latest: Why Timberwolves can’t be completely ruled out just yet. Reporting with @samamick.bsky.social and @kellyiko.bsky.social
Kevin Durant trade latest: Why Timberwolves should be considered dark-horse fit
Minnesota does not want to make a seismic change if Durant isn't on board. The question is whether there’s any chance he comes around to it.
nytimes.com
Good read from @kellyiko.bsky.social on how, even in curtailed minutes and with a shifting role, Isaiah Hartenstein has made a major impact for the Thunder in these Finals: www.nytimes.com/athletic/643...
Isaiah Hartenstein provides the key to unlock the Thunder offense in Game 5 win
Hartenstein's impact went beyond the box score, as his screening and decision-making played a huge role in giving OKC a 3-2 series lead.
nytimes.com
In contrast to the trade deadline, Durant's preference won’t likely be a deciding factor in a trade. This makes a deal with the Rockets and Spurs unlikely for now. Full intel from @samamick.bsky.social, @jonkrawczynski.bsky.social and @kellyiko.bsky.social ⤵️ www.nytimes.com/athletic/642...
Kevin Durant potential trade destinations, and the obstacles that exist
Durant is widely expected to be traded from the Suns soon. But for as great as he is, it’s easy to see why a deal is tough to get done here.
nytimes.com
SOURCES: The Suns have been aggressive in recent efforts to trade Kevin Durant, per @kellyiko.bsky.social. Phoenix has reached out to the Houston Rockets to discuss a deal, with the Suns looking to regain full control of their draft capital.
The true measure of the Nuggets’ greatness is amplified when Nikola Jokić and Jamal Murray are working in tandem. But Sunday in Denver, Lu Dort won the Murray matchup — pivotal to Oklahoma City taking Game 4. More, from @kellyiko.bsky.social ⤵️ www.nytimes.com/athletic/634...
Diving into the Rockets offseason, with intel on all of the star player scenarios that might be in play if they take a swing, at @theathletic.bsky.social (yes, including that Giannis guy) W/ @kellyiko.bsky.social www.nytimes.com/athletic/634...
Rockets, Ime Udoka put playoff disappointment aside to focus on critical offseason
"Everyone’s goal is to be better and come back better," Rockets coach Ime Udoka said of the offseason.
nytimes.com