Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns discuss the Knicks' Game 3 win over the Pacers
Jalen Brunson said he and his teammates were "disgusted" after watching how poorly the Knicks played in Game 5.They turned the tables on the Celtics back home at MSG with a dominant 119-81 win to close out their playoff series four games to two. Karl-Anthony Towns, Mikal Bridges and Josh Hart also talked about the overwhelming support they got from The Garden crowd in leading the franchise to their first conference final in 25 years.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
USA Today
2 hours ago
- USA Today
How will the newest Boston Celtics fit into the team's rotation?
How will the newest Boston Celtics fit into the team's rotation? What roles will they play in their first season with the team (and for some, the NBA)? What are their strengths and weaknesses as players? After parting ways with veteran starters Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis, and after the departure of backup big man Luke Kornet to the San Antonio Spurs in free agency, the Celtics brought in three new players from the 2025 NBA draft (Hugo Gonzalez, Amari Williams, and Max Shulga). They also made a pair of free agent signings of their own, inking former Minnesota Timberwolves players Luka Garza and Josh Minott to a pair of two-year deals. What is the future with Boston going to be like for these five new additions to the team? The host of the CLNS Media "You Got Boston" podcast, Noa Dalzell, linked up with analyst Nik NBA to talk it all over. Check it out below to get their takes on the newest cohort of Celtics players. If you enjoy this pod, check out the "How Bout Them Celtics," "First to the Floor," and the many other New England sports podcasts available on the CLNS Media network:
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Yahoo
Ranking The 5 Best Destinations For Damian Lillard After Getting Waived By The Bucks
Ranking The 5 Best Destinations For Damian Lillard After Getting Waived By The Bucks originally appeared on Fadeaway World. In a stunning move that reverberated across the NBA landscape, the Milwaukee Bucks have officially waived Damian Lillard to free up roster space for veteran big man Myles Turner. This seismic shift not only punctuates a dramatic end to the Bucks' pairing with Lillard but also signals a pivotal moment: Milwaukee's championship window appears to have firmly closed. Advertisement With the franchise choosing to pivot, and star Giannis Antetokounmpo reportedly displeased with the direction, the team's commitment to title contention has come into serious question. Now, all eyes shift to Damian Lillard, who faces a season-long recovery from a devastating Achilles injury. Although he's expected to miss the entire 2025-26 campaign, this turn of events presents an opportunity: Lillard can plot a comeback in his final prime years, joining a new team poised to maximize his elite scoring prowess and leadership off the bench. Here, we identify the Top 5 destinations where Lillard's influence could be game-changing, both for him and whichever roster he joins. 1. Boston Celtics Despite missing Jayson Tatum for the entirety of next season with his own Achilles injury, Boston remains in a prime position to add a veteran superstar who can both fill the playmaking void and mentor their rising core. Advertisement The Celtics might be willing to bring Lillard on board, even with Anfernee Simons on board and Jrue Holiday now with Portland. In fact, the timing aligns perfectly. Lillard's vocal leadership and elite shot-making would immediately stabilize Boston's backcourt and bolster their East title push. Pairing Lillard with Derrick White gives head coach Joe Mazzulla lineup flexibility to stagger elite creators and shooters, allowing Lillard to shift into secondary creator/playoff closer roles come postseason. Moreover, the veteran presence could accelerate growth in young wings like Pritchard and Anfernee Simons. While the team's rebuild signals a 'retool' rather than a teardown, acquiring Lillard could be the bold swing to keep Boston annually in championship conversations. 2. Houston Rockets Houston continues their offseason with an embarrassment of two-way riches when looking at their depth chart. The Rockets have already made the deal for Kevin Durant; pivoting to Lillard still makes strategic sense when trying to build a superteam. Advertisement They possess the requisite assets who can be versatile in lineups, and Lillard could serve as the stabilizing floor general amid a core that includes recently added Kevin Durant, Fred VanVleet, Jabari Smith Jr., Alperen Sengun, and Amen Thompson. Though Lillard will miss the 2025-26 season rehabbing his Achilles, Houston could build with an eye toward 2026-27, in case they don't win a title next season. Even if they do, having Dame bolstering their backcourt is nothing but a positive. Overall, by the time Lillard returns, the Rockets may have matured enough to add another strong piece, creating a foundation for a long-term contender centered around Lillard's elite two-way shooting and Houston's emerging two-way talent. 3. Los Angeles Lakers In L.A., the Lakers remain in constant pursuit of championship-aligned veterans. Despite their current roster shuffle, Los Angeles has the outlets, either via trade or free agency, to assemble a backcourt ready to maximize Lillard's scoring. Advertisement With LeBron James aging around Luka Doncic, Lillard's ability to carry the offensive burden mid-game would be invaluable, and, with his return planned for 2026, he would slot into a veteran trio perfectly formed for one last title run. The Lakers have been linked to high-risk/high-reward moves all offseason, and Lillard would be the headline acquisition under that philosophy. Integrating Lillard into a Lakers system known for its isolation sets and high-basketball-IQ veterans would not only elevate their offensive ceiling but also show The King that they want to win right now. Perhaps that means James could extend his time in the NBA another year or two. 4. Los Angeles Clippers The Clippers have aggressively reshaped their roster in recent seasons, now stacked with star talent like Kawhi Leonard, James Harden, Norman Powell, and Ivica Zubac in recent years. Adding Lillard, even with the rehab delay, could tip them over into superteam status: multiple elite ball-handlers, a lockdown defense-first staff, and one of the West's most lethal offensive arsenals. Advertisement Though depth and cap space will be tight, LA's front office has shown a propensity to push financial boundaries. A trade for Lillard would position them in the rare echelon where three ball-dominant All-Stars coexist, heading into a post-2025-26 season primed for another deep postseason run. The risk is high because that lineup won't be very dominant defensively. However, in the era of offense, perhaps Ty Lue can figure something out. If this lineup stays healthy, the Clippers could match the NBA's best juggernauts. 5. Miami Heat Miami remains a perennial heartbeat of championship culture, and the Heat were Lillard's primary trade preference when Portland first explored deals. With Erik Spoelstra's trusted developmental track record and a roster fortified around Tyler Herro and Bam Adebayo, the Heat would offer Lillard both a winning system and the leadership-driven environment he values. Advertisement Joining Miami allows Lillard to integrate gradually post-rehab, easing into competitive roles within a club accustomed to managing veteran legs. Their culture-first identity and playoff resilience align perfectly with Lillard's killer mentality. Additionally, Miami's recent offseason flexibility suggests they could retool around Dame while maintaining their high standards, forming a backcourt pair with Herro ready to make immediate waves after his comeback year. Related: Bucks Waive Damian Lillard, Dump $113 Million Contract To Sign Myles Turner On $107 Million Deal This story was originally reported by Fadeaway World on Jul 1, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Yahoo
Celtics May Flip Anfernee Simons To Free Up Room For Two Key Stars
Celtics May Flip Anfernee Simons To Free Up Room For Two Key Stars originally appeared on Fadeaway World. The Boston Celtics' whirlwind offseason may not be finished just yet. After trading away Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis to clear salary and reshape the roster, Boston is reportedly exploring yet another cost-cutting move, this time centered on newly acquired guard Anfernee Simons. Advertisement Simons arrived in Boston as part of the Holiday trade with Portland. But despite his undeniable scoring ability and smooth offensive game, league sources told The Athletic's Jay King that the Celtics are considering flipping Simons and his $27.7 million expiring contract. The motive is clear: financial flexibility. President of Basketball Operations Brad Stevens wants to re-sign key veterans Luke Kornet and Al Horford while positioning the team below the luxury tax threshold. That's a tall order, even after the Holiday and Porzingis deals, and Simons' sizable expiring deal is an obvious lever to pull. While Simons averaged 19.3 points and 4.8 assists on 36.3 percent shooting from three last season, his long-term fit in Boston's system under Joe Mazzulla was already in question. He's best with the ball in his hands, and with Derrick White entrenched as the starting point guard and Jaylen Brown expected to take on even more creation duties while Jayson Tatum recovers from a torn Achilles, Simons could find himself the odd man out. Advertisement He has value as a score-first guard with deep shooting range, but his defensive limitations and need for usage make him a tough fit in Boston's defense-first identity. More importantly, his expiring contract is one of the last big trade chips the Celtics hold. Stevens is laser-focused on avoiding the repeater tax, which penalizes teams that exceed the luxury tax in consecutive years. Boston currently sits roughly $15 million over the tax line, and trimming that would not only allow them to avoid the financial penalties but also hit the NBA's 'reset' button. Escaping the tax for two straight years wipes the repeater status, granting teams more flexibility in future seasons. That flexibility could prove crucial once Tatum returns and Boston decides how to maneuver around his upcoming supermax deal and maintain its core. Advertisement Veterans like Kornet and Horford are also part of the equation. Stevens called them 'huge parts of this organization' after the draft, making it clear that keeping them is a priority. But to do so while staying under the tax, moving Simons might be the only way. Sam Hauser's name has surfaced as another possible trade chip, but the Celtics reportedly prefer to keep him due to his elite shooting and low cap hit. Boston already shocked the league by unloading two of their starters just a year after winning a title. But the front office is embracing a long-term view. Tatum's injury gives them a window to regroup financially, and Simons' $27.7 million could be the key to unlocking it, just after saving $260 million in two trades. While he may never suit up in green, Simons could end up playing a major role in helping Boston retain its core and preserve its flexibility for a more competitive return in 2026. Related: Celtics Shut Down Jaylen Brown, Derrick White Trade Rumors With Strong Statement This story was originally reported by Fadeaway World on Jun 28, 2025, where it first appeared.
