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  • Key 76ers Games Defining Their Push Toward the NBA Finals – Philadelphia Sports Nation

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    The Philadelphia 76ers are in the middle of a season that feels defining, not just in the standings but in how the team is perceived across the NBA. 

    The 76ers are entering the heart of the schedule, where the margin between contenders and pretenders narrows, and every nationally watched matchup becomes a measuring stick.

    For the Philadelphia 76ers, the push toward the NBA Finals will be shaped less by blowout wins against lesser opponents and more by high-leverage games against playoff-caliber teams. 

    These contests will test lineup flexibility, late-game execution, and mental toughness. They also reveal whether Philadelphia can consistently impose its style on teams that know them well.

    Several matchups on the calendar stand out as tone-setters, games that influence seeding, confidence, and league-wide respect.

    Each one offers a snapshot of who the 76ers are right now, and who they are becoming as the postseason approaches.

    Philadelphia 76ers vs. New York Knicks

    • Date: February 12
    • Venue: Xfinity Mobile Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

    The February 12 matchup against the New York Knicks will shine a spotlight on the Philadelphia 76ers’ ability to handle physical, playoff-style basketball. New York brings defensive pressure, rebounding strength, and a slow-it-down approach that forces discipline on both ends. 

    In the recent 2025/26 coverage, analysts consistently frame the Knicks as a stress test for teams with championship aspirations, and Philadelphia leans into that challenge.

    The 76ers emphasize half-court execution, patient ball movement, and attacking mismatches rather than rushing possessions. This game also matters psychologically, as the Knicks are a direct obstacle in the Eastern Conference. 

    A strong performance will reinforce the opinion that the Philadelphia 76ers can win games where spacing is tight, and points come at a premium. 

    For fans who closely follow momentum swings and matchups, it’s noteworthy that this type of contest often shapes how those immersing themselves in the sport bet on NBA games. These sorts of matchups reveal which contenders remain composed under pressure rather than relying on pace alone.

    Philadelphia 76ers vs. Indiana Pacers

    • Date: February 25
    • Venue: Gainbridge Fieldhouse, Indianapolis, Indiana

    When the Philadelphia 76ers face the Indiana Pacers on February 25, the contrast in styles takes center stage. Indiana pushes tempo, prioritizes transition scoring, and thrives when games become chaotic. 

    The recent 2025/26 analysis points to this matchup as a test of control. Philadelphia focuses on limiting turnovers and dictating pace, knowing that defensive discipline often determines the outcome. This game will force the 76ers’ perimeter defenders to stay locked in while bigs recover quickly in space.

    Offensively, Philadelphia will look to exploit Indiana’s defensive lapses by creating high-quality shots rather than trading baskets. A win here signals that the Philadelphia 76ers can adapt without abandoning their identity. 

    It also matters in the standings, as games against fast-rising conference opponents influence tiebreakers and playoff positioning. More importantly, it’ll show whether Philadelphia can win games that feel uncomfortable, an essential trait for any team with Finals ambitions.

    Credit: Taylor Smith-Unsplash

    Philadelphia 76ers vs. Boston Celtics

    • Date: March 2
    • Venue: TD Garden, Boston, Massachusetts

    The March 2 showdown with the Boston Celtics feels like a preview of May, and for the Philadelphia 76ers, no opponent carries more symbolic weight. 

    Boston represents the gold standard in the East, and 2025/26 NBA coverage frequently frames this rivalry as a referendum on Philadelphia’s readiness. Every possession matters, and adjustments happen quickly. The 76ers prioritize defensive communication, knowing Boston thrives on exploiting small mistakes.

    On offense, Philadelphia targets efficient shot creation rather than volume, understanding that empty possessions swing momentum fast in these games. This matchup also tests mental resilience, especially in late-game scenarios where execution outweighs talent. 

    A strong showing against Boston reinforces the idea that the Philadelphia 76ers belong in the same championship conversation. 

    Win or lose, how Philadelphia competes, its poise, adaptability, and response to runs, will shape league perception and influence how seriously opponents take them entering the postseason.

    Philadelphia 76ers vs. Memphis Grizzlies

    • Date: March 11
    • Venue: Xfinity Mobile Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

    The March 11 game against the Memphis Grizzlies offers the Philadelphia 76ers a different kind of challenge. Memphis brings athleticism, defensive aggression, and a relentless attack. 

    Recent season analysis emphasizes that Western Conference opponents like the Grizzlies test a team’s physical endurance and depth. For Philadelphia, this matchup is about sustaining intensity across four quarters.

    The 76ers focus on defensive rotations and rebounding to prevent second-chance points, while offensively, they look to punish overhelping with smart ball movement. This game also matters because it simulates the grind of Finals-style basketball, where physicality escalates, and whistles tighten. 

    A composed performance will show that the Philadelphia 76ers can handle teams that pressure the rim and challenge every possession. It’ll also reveal whether their system can hold up not just against familiar Eastern rivals, but against elite, high-energy opponents from the West.

    Philadelphia 76ers vs. Denver Nuggets

    • Date: March 18
    • Venue: Ball Arena, Denver, Colorado

    Facing the Denver Nuggets on March 18 represents one of the clearest measuring sticks for the Philadelphia 76ers. Denver’s championship pedigree and disciplined execution force opponents to play near-perfect basketball. 

    In 2025–2026 previews, this matchup is often framed as a Finals-level chess match. Philadelphia emphasizes defensive versatility, switching schemes to disrupt rhythm while staying connected on shooters.

    Offensively, the 76ers prioritize spacing and decision-making, knowing Denver punishes hesitation. This game will also highlight stamina and focus, as Denver thrives on wearing teams down with consistent pressure. 

    A competitive showing will signal that the Philadelphia 76ers can match elite teams possession for possession without unraveling. Beyond the result, how Philadelphia manages late-game situations, timeouts, matchups, and shot selection offers insight into their championship readiness. 

    Games like this define whether Finals aspirations feel realistic or remain theoretical.

    Collective Impact

    The road to the NBA Finals rarely hinges on a single moment, but for the Philadelphia 76ers, these key games collectively define their trajectory. Each matchup reveals something different: resilience against physical teams, control versus speed, composure under rivalry pressure, and adaptability against elite Western opponents.

    Together, they shape confidence, seeding, and belief inside the locker room. The Philadelphia 76ers are not chasing style points; they are building habits that translate into postseason success. How they perform in these spotlight games influences how the league views them and how they view themselves. 

    If Philadelphia continues to meet these challenges with discipline and clarity, the push toward the NBA Finals feels less like hope and more like expectation.

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  • Report: Celtics’ Xavier Tillman traded to Hornets in buzzer-beater

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    (Photo credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images)

    The Boston Celtics traded forward Xavier Tillman Sr. and cash considerations to the Charlotte Hornets on Thursday, ESPN reported, moments before the NBA trade deadline passed for good.

    The Hornets acquired Tillman and $3.5 million in cash considerations, pulling Boston away from the luxury tax, similar to the deal that brought guard Tyus Jones in and out of Charlotte from Orlando on Wednesday.

    Tillman had been seeing declining minutes since his championship-winning stint with the Celtics in 2024, seeing more than 15 minutes on the floor just five times. Through the 2025-26 season, Tillman averaged 2.2 points and 1.8 rebounds per game in 14 appearances.

    Tillman was drafted by the Sacramento Kings in the second round of the 2020 NBA Draft, but was traded to the Memphis Grizzlies on draft day. Tillman played three full seasons in Memphis, along with one full season in Boston.

    –Field Level Media

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  • Taking a Look at the Best Sports Rivalries in Philly – Philadelphia Sports Nation

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    This blog contains links from which we may earn a commission.Credit: Connor Gan/Unsplash

    Few cities live and breathe professional sports the way Philadelphia does.

    The city’s blue-collar identity, deep traditions, and famously passionate fans make rivalries feel less like games on a schedule and more like battles for civic pride.

    While every sports town has its grudges, Philadelphia’s run deeper, often defined by history, geography, and raw emotion.

    From Cowboys week in the NFL to Flyers – Penguins hockey wars, these rivalries are woven into the DNA of Philly sports culture.

    Eagles vs. Cowboys

    If you ask a Philadelphia sports fan what week matters most on the NFL calendar, the answer is almost always “Dallas week”. The Eagles-Cowboys rivalry isn’t just about football; it’s cultural. Dallas, with its glitzy “America’s Team” image, has long stood as the antithesis of Philadelphia’s gritty, hard-working ethos.

    The rivalry heated up in the 1970s, when both teams regularly fought for NFC supremacy. It reached new levels in the late 1980s and early 1990s, when Buddy Ryan’s Eagles embraced a tough, bruising style perfectly tailored for taking on the star-studded Cowboys. Fans still talk about the infamous “Bounty Bowl” games of 1989, when tensions between the franchises turned downright nasty.

    Even today, no matter the records, Eagles fans mark Cowboys week with extra energy. A win over Dallas feels sweeter than most, while a loss lingers longer than it should.

    The rivalry between NFL teams can be quite heated and precious to not just the fans but also the ownerships, given the amount of money in the sport. It is one of the biggest sports in America, generating the most revenue; therefore, it isn’t just a case of winning or losing against your rival, there’s huge monetary value behind each win! Just like when it comes to NFL betting. Fans, like owners, put their money into backing their team, which gives the fixture that extra bit of excitement for them. The NFL is one of the most popular sports to bet on in America. When first starting out, to lower your risks of losing your own money and at the same time being able to perhaps maximise your winnings, which helps with additional funds, you should take a look at WSN and their sports betting bonuses. These help massively when placing your own bets and give you more to play around with.

    Phillies vs. Mets

    PHOTO: Connor Gan/Unsplash

    On the diamond, the Phillies’ fiercest rivalry has often been with their neighbors to the north: the New York Mets. Though the two franchises have had different stretches of dominance, the overlap has fueled bitter seasons.

    The rivalry really took off in the mid-2000s, when both clubs were loaded with talent and competing for NL East crowns. Who could forget Jimmy Rollins declaring the Phillies the “team to beat” in 2007 – only to watch Philadelphia storm past the Mets after New York collapsed in historic fashion down the stretch? That moment alone cemented a new level of hostility between fan bases.

    Games at Citizens Bank Park still draw throngs of Mets fans making the trip down I-95, leading to loud, divided crowds and playoff-like atmospheres even in the regular season.

    Flyers vs. Penguins

    If Cowboys week defines football in Philly, Flyers–Penguins define hockey. This Pennsylvania rivalry isn’t just about geography – it’s about identity. The Flyers, known historically for their physical “Broad Street Bullies” brand of hockey, have clashed for decades with the Penguins, a team often built around flashy superstars like Mario Lemieux and Sidney Crosby.

    The rivalry has produced some of the NHL’s most unforgettable moments. The 2012 playoff series between the teams was a wild, high-scoring affair full of fights, bad blood, and momentum swings. Fans on both sides still point to that series as peak Flyers-Penguins chaos.

    For Philadelphia fans, beating Pittsburgh isn’t just about standings – it’s about reminding the state that grit and toughness still matter. The Penguins may have more recent Cups, but Flyers fans wear their hatred like a badge of honor.

    76ers vs. Celtics

    Basketball in Philadelphia has its own historic rivalry: Sixers vs. Celtics. Dating back to the Wilt Chamberlain vs. Bill Russell battles of the 1960s, this matchup has often determined Eastern Conference supremacy.

    The intensity carried through the Julius Erving and Larry Bird years in the 1980s, with playoff battles that shaped NBA history. More recently, the Joel Embiid-led Sixers have faced the Celtics in several playoff series, often coming up short. Each postseason defeat only deepens the hunger for revenge.

    For fans, there’s an extra sting when Boston is involved. The cities themselves compete culturally and historically, so when the Sixers finally topple the Celtics in a big series, it will feel like more than just a basketball win – it will feel like payback decades in the making.

    Union vs. Red Bulls

    Philadelphia’s MLS franchise, the Union, may not yet have the century-long history of the other teams, but its rivalry with the New York Red Bulls has grown fast. The two clubs’ proximity and regular playoff meetings have created a spirited competition.

    Union fans, known as the Sons of Ben, bring the same Philly energy to Subaru Park, chanting loudly and making sure Red Bulls matches feel hostile for the visitors. It may not yet rival Eagles-Cowboys in intensity, but given time, it’s a rivalry that could blossom into one of Major League Soccer’s most passionate.

    Why Rivalries Matter So Much in Philly

    What makes these rivalries so special isn’t just the history or the stakes – it’s the fans. Philadelphia supporters carry victories like personal triumphs and defeats like personal insults. Rivalries become part of the city’s identity, passed down through generations.

    A child who grows up hearing their parents curse the Cowboys, boo the Penguins, or yell at Mets fans in the stands is bound to inherit that same fire.

    In Philadelphia, rivalries aren’t just about the teams; they’re about representing the city itself.

    Every time the Eagles beat Dallas, or the Flyers take down Pittsburgh, fans feel like they’ve defended their home turf and proved the city’s toughness all over again.

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  • The Celtics Sale, USMNT’s Flop, Lakers Hail Marys, and ‘The Bear’ Season 3 With Rob Stone and Van Lathan

    The Celtics Sale, USMNT’s Flop, Lakers Hail Marys, and ‘The Bear’ Season 3 With Rob Stone and Van Lathan

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    The Ringer’s Bill Simmons updates his NBA tier list after the latest free agent moves and then discusses what he thinks Danny Ainge’s plan is with Lauri Markkanen, why the CBA is broken, and the thought process behind Wyc Grousbeck’s decision to sell his stake in the Celtics (02:06). Next, Bill is joined by Fox Sports’ Rob Stone to discuss the disappointing USMNT loss to Uruguay, debate whether Christian Pulisic is good enough to be the best player on a team, talk about the lost opportunities to capitalize on soccer interest in the country, and more (31:39). Bill is also joined by Van Lathan, and they talk through the drafting of Bronny James, the hope they have for Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F to be decent, what will happen with Joe Biden, the Kendrick Lamar–Drake beef, and their thoughts on Season 3 of FX’s The Bear (55:24).

    Host: Bill Simmons
    Guests: Rob Stone and Van Lathan
    Producers: Steve Ceruti and Jessie Lopez

    Subscribe: Spotify / Apple Podcasts / Stitcher / RSS

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  • The Boston Celtics Did What the Sixers Haven’t Been Able to – Philadelphia Sports Nation

    The Boston Celtics Did What the Sixers Haven’t Been Able to – Philadelphia Sports Nation

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    From top to bottom in the Celtics‘ organization, they did what needed to be done to win a championship.

    Whether it was role players going above and beyond, the number 2 option exceeding expectations, the scouting department finding the right guy, the coach leading them to victory, etc., they succeeded at the highest level.

    Every team in the league should use the Celtics as a blueprint for winning a championship.

    The Celtics Stuck With Their Guys

    Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum have played their whole careers in Boston together. They have grown and developed into one of the best (if not THE best) duos in the NBA today. Even after coming up short for a few years, the front office kept building around them and drafting other guys who contributed to the team in major ways.

    Not every guy on the team was drafted by them, but a few of the free agents they’ve signed have played for them for multiple years. Derrick White, Luke Kornet, and Al Horford have all spent time on different teams, but they’ve been on the Celtics for at least the last 2 years, building chemistry with the main guys (Brown and Tatum).

    Also, Sam Hauser and Payton Pritchard, drafted in 2021 and 2020, both have spent their short careers fully with the Celtics. Having 7 guys who know the organization and build chemistry together for years will yield strong results a lot of the time. That’s exactly what happened with the Celtics.

    The Value of Drafting

    Over the years, the Sixers have traded many of their picks away to get a “star” in return. How has that worked out?

    The Celtics use their draft picks much more productively to acquire talent. Not only do they choose better players, they are much more patient to let the talent develop. Outside of the top-5, most players need time to grow into real contributors. The Celtics understand that. They let their players develop over time and learn how to play around the guys they have on the team. This gives the team cheap talent, which helps them acquire players like Kristaps Porzingis and Jrue Holiday.

    The Sixers need to value their drafting more. If they invest more into their scouting department and take the draft more seriously, they could give Tyrese Maxey another great player who could play with him for years to come.

    Celtics are Smart with their Contracts

    When teams draft and develop their own players, it also allows them to keep players on more affordable contracts instead of overpaying in free agency. This year, the Finals MVP (Jaylen Brown) only made the 4th most money on his team, and the team leader (Jayson Tatum) made the 3rd most. Drafting these two guys put the Celtics in a very good position to build talent and get the job done.

    While they did make some major additions with Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis, they didn’t just sign someone because of their name. The Sixers seem to have a tendency to sign names rather than players, while the Celtics do the opposite.

    Players like James Harden make way too much money than they believe they are worth, which puts teams in a bad spot. The Sixers couldn’t get it done with him, and neither could the Clippers.
    The Sixers need better league and draft scouting. Finding players on more valuable contracts could send them to the next level.

    PHOTO: Getty Images

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  • Sixers and Celtics Comparisons – Philadelphia Sports Nation

    Sixers and Celtics Comparisons – Philadelphia Sports Nation

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    Not everybody, but some people believe the Sixers just got “unlucky” again and had Embiid been fully healthy they think it would have been a different story in this playoff run. Unfortunately, part of being a playoff great comes down to longevity, but even if the Sixers did make it to the ECF fully healthy, let’s see how they would stack up against the – once again – Eastern Conference champions. Included here will only be players that make the playoff rotation.

    Guards

    Sixers:

    • Tyrese Maxey
    • Kyle Lowry
    • Cam Payne
    • Buddy Hield
    • De’Anthony Melton

    Celtics:

    • Jrue Holiday
    • Peyton Pritchard
    • Derrick White

    The Sixers have more options at guard, but that’s only because their players aren’t as good. Jrue Holiday has experience (like Lowry), but he’s a few years younger and more consistent on the offensive side of the ball. With those few years of youth he has on Lowry, it allows him to play more minutes at a higher level.

    Buddy Hield could be better than the Celtics’ options, but he was left out of the rotation for so long. He can shoot when he’s hot, but he can’t create a shot too well or distribute to his teammates either.

    Tyrese Maxey is the best player on this list, which levels out the playing field with the guards going up against each other, but the Celtics guards know their roles which helps them each use their individual talents in the best way to help the team.

    Conclusion: Celtics

    The Celtics take this position group, but barely. Maxey is easily the best player, but the other Sixers players don’t give enough significant time. The Celtic guards play a better brand of playoff basketball.

    Forwards

    Sixers:

    • Kelly Oubre Jr.
    • Nicolas Batum
    • Tobias Harris

    Celtics:

    • Jaylen Brown
    • Jayson Tatum
    • Xavier Tillman Sr.
    • Sam Hause
    • Oshae Brissett

    Is this even worth debating? Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum run circles around the Sixers group of forwards, and in the playoffs, teams need good play from their wings. Without consistent wing play, no team will go far in the playoffs.

    Nicolas Batum helped get the Sixers to where they needed to be during the play-in game, but he went back to his regular play after that. Nothing is wrong with that given his age and role.

    Tobias Harris contributed negatively to the team throughout the whole playoff run and should not be back with the Sixers next year. He’s a liability at this point.

    And lastly, Kelly Oubre. He gave the Sixers life at different points, but still can’t be someone to rely on in big spots. The Sixers should keep him on the team next year for sure. He provides some shooting on the perimeter and athleticism both on the defensive and offensive side. He doesn’t have the finesse you hope for, but he’s the best wing option the Sixers have as of now.

    Conclusion: Celtics (and it’s not close)

    Nobody will argue against this one. The Celtics arguably have the best group of forwards in the league.

    Centers

    Sixers:

    • Joel Embiid
    • Paul Reed
    • Mo Bamba

    Celtics

    • Al Horford (yuck)
    • Luke Kornet

    Backup Centers don’t usually get a lot of time, so not many teams put a lot of money and assets into that position. One team that could benefit from a good backup center is the Sixers, but unfortunately, they don’t care. With the amount of time Embiid misses, having Mo Bamba and Paul Reed just doesn’t cut it. Imagine if the Sixers could stay even or maybe gain points during Embiid’s absence from the floor in games. Or maybe if/when Embiid misses time, they don’t have the worst team out there. But that’s a rant for another day.

    I will never stop saying that Al Horford purposely played for the Sixers just to suck and make them worse. He was good before them and good after them, but never played well while here. At least he’s not Embiid kryptonite anymore.

    Conclusion: Sixers

    While the Sixers do easily win this position battle, it doesn’t affect the game as other groups  because of the position they play. Embiid will be the best player on the court when he’s out there, but wings dominate the NBA and they are needed to win. Also, when it comes to centers, teams can easily get by with someone that only does 1-2 things well. that provides opportunity to improve the rest of the team.

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  • The Sixers’ 2024 Playoff Picture – Philadelphia Sports Nation

    The Sixers’ 2024 Playoff Picture – Philadelphia Sports Nation

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    With the regular season over, the Sixers’ road to the Finals starts this Wednesday against the Heat in the play-in tournament.

    Since Embiid’s return, the Sixers have gone 8-0, including two games without Embiid.

    It’s no secret that he brings a boost to this team. As long as he can stay healthy, they have a shot at making a serious run.

    How’s the Knee?

    In a game against the Orlando Magic a few days ago, all Sixers fans had a scare. After driving to the basket and getting his own rebound, Embiid, wincing in pain, asked for a timeout and immediately headed to the locker room. Everyone watching probably had the same thought: here we go again. 

    To everyone’s surprise, Embiid returned to the game in the second half and continued doing his thing. Afterward, when Nick Nurse was asked about the status of Embiid’s knee, he said the knee “responded well.” So take that for what you will, but it was a good sign seeing Embiid return in the second half.

    Two Possible Matchups

    After they take care of business tomorrow against the Heat, they will match up against the Knicks. The Knicks went 3-1 against the Sixers this year, but they are both very different teams now than they were before. 

    Similarly, these two teams lost a star player in the latter half of the season, but the Knicks handled it much better. We all know what happened when Embiid went down, but the Knicks catapulted to the 2-seed in the absence of Julius Randle. Some may say the Knicks have a better chance without him, but not against the Sixers. Julius Randle has a rare combo of weight and speed that has caused trouble for the Sixers in the past. They do have some players more suitable to guard him now than last year, but I like our chances better without him.

    The Boston Celtics

    If the Sixers have Finals aspirations, then the Celtics shouldn’t scare them, but it’s more complicated than that. Lots of people are choosing the Celtics to not only win the East, but win the Finals as well. They are a great team and hold the NBA’s best record this year – by far. Normally, I’d say bring on the Celtics; we have to get them out of the way eventually, but not with the team chemistry we have now. When Embiid went down the team changed a lot, and teams need to be firing on all cylinders to beat the Celtics.

    The Celtics already beat the Sixers in 7 last year, and now they’re better. Now, they have Kristaps Porzingis and Jrue Holiday providing extra offensive threats. With two big men that can shoot (Porzingis and Horford), Embiid won’t have the privilege of camping down in the paint, anchoring the defense.

    With their other two stars, Tatum and Brown, the Celtics match up well against every team in the league. Not many teams have the athleticism, length, and interior defense to handle the caliber of players that the Celtics have. I think with the new additions of Oubre, Batum, and Lowry, the Sixers can beat this team in a tough series, but they need a few series to figure things out and build chemistry.

    What’s Different for the Sixers this year?

    First: Nick Nurse and not that scrub Glen Rivers (we already have two “Docs” in Philly. He’s not one of them). Nick Nurse is a great head coach with recent playoff experience that doesn’t involve choking leads. Watching Nurse’s offense for five minutes shows me how much of an upgrade we have at head coach. Rivers was stubborn. He wouldn’t change his defenses up or strategize his offensive scheme to expose weaker players. Nurse adapts. He switches his defense, targets other players, feeds the hot hands, and lets the players play to their strengths. He will help a lot, especially in a playoff series.

    Second: Joel Embiid has fresh(ish) legs. He just had surgery on his meniscus, but he obviously took rehab seriously to work on what he could. His shot is falling; he added a floater for a few games, and his defense hasn’t changed. As long as there are no more freak injuries like a broken face, torn thumb, another knee injury, etc., we’re in good shape and can beat any team in the league.

    Not one player in the NBA can hold Embiid down.
    It’s his time to build his legacy.

    Photo: Yong Kim

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  • A Celtics Flop, Best Oscar Story Lines, Planning the Olympics, and the Fall of College Sports With Matthew Belloni and Casey Wasserman

    A Celtics Flop, Best Oscar Story Lines, Planning the Olympics, and the Fall of College Sports With Matthew Belloni and Casey Wasserman

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    The Ringer’s Bill Simmons shares some brief thoughts on the Celtics’ loss to the Cavaliers (2:08) before he is joined by Matthew Belloni to answer 10 burning questions about the Oscars (8:46). Then Bill talks with Casey Wasserman about planning for the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles (42:17), managing talent at Wasserman, the future of college sports (1:02:38), media, the next generation of stadiums, and more (1:34:54).

    Host: Bill Simmons
    Guests: Matthew Belloni and Casey Wasserman
    Producer: Kyle Crichton

    Subscribe: Spotify / Apple Podcasts / Stitcher / RSS

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  • Jalen Brunson injures ankle in garbage time; Tom Thibodeau has no regrets

    Jalen Brunson injures ankle in garbage time; Tom Thibodeau has no regrets

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    BOSTON — The Celtics emptied their bench. Tom Thibodeau did not.

    It’s the difference between leaving the TD Garden unscathed and potentially returning to New York down the team’s floor general and head of the offensive snake.

    When given an opportunity to sit his starters in garbage time while Celtics’ coach Joe Mazzulla cleared the bench up double digits with 38 seconds left in the fourth quarter of the Knicks’ 133-123 loss on Friday, Thibodeau chose not to.

    Now Jalen Brunson is hurt.

    Asked if he has any regrets, Thibodeau flatly said “nope.”

    Brunson significantly turned his ankle on a freak play while Celtics guard Derrick White shot a free throw with just 21 seconds left on the game clock.

    Seventeen seconds of gameplay earlier, Mazzulla took Al Horford, Kristaps Porzingis and Jrue Holiday out of the game, then subbed Jayson Tatum out while White, the final starter, was at the foul line.

    And after White made the free throw, with his sub waiting to check-in on the sideline, Brunson accidentally stepped on backup guard Payton Pritchard’s foot and drastically twisted his ankle before hobbling to the sidelines.

    Then he buried his head in a towel while sitting on the bench.

    He was unavailable to speak to reporters after the game.

    Thibodeau offered no additional update on Brunson’s status and said he hadn’t yet talked to team trainers about his star guard’s injury.

    This is one of Thibodeau’s specialties. He plays his starters late in games, even if they’re down big.

    But it came back to bite the Knicks on Friday, and it’s unclear if the starting guard will miss some time with the injury.

    Julius Randle turned his back to the play while attempting to inbound the ball when Brunson came up hobbling.

    The Knicks’ next game is at home on Monday against the Toronto Raptors, so they’ll have two-and-a-half days to determine his status for their next game.

    “I didn’t see what happened to be honest with you, but hopefully he’ll be fine,” he said. “We’ve got a couple days off, so we’ll see. Right now I don’t know anything. Just trying to recover from the game and reset. We’ll figure it out.”

    RJ Barrett had a situation similar to Brunson’s playing under Thibodeau two years ago.

    Thibodeau left Barrett on the floor in the final minute of a blowout loss to the Denver Nuggets in Feb. 2022, and Barrett — like Brunson — twisted his ankle before leaving the game and walking to the locker room.

    He was forced to sit four games and missed a little over a week.

    “I didn’t see what happened with [Jalen],” Barrett said. “Then even mine, I remember mine was a little freak play, my foot just got caught, tangled.”

    Like Randle, Barrett didn’t see Brunson’s injury because he was running up court after the made free throw.

    “That’s what happened with him? I didn’t see it,” he said. “Those things happen. It could have happened in the first quarter. Ended up happening at that time.”

    Donte DiVincenzo was up court with Barrett and also missed Brunson’s injury. DiVincenzo has faith Brunson will return to good health soon.

    “I know him from college and everything. He’s a warrior. So we’ll see what happens. We have a couple days. We’ll get back to New York and hopefully everything is all good.”

    It was an unnecessary injury, however, given the deficit and time remaining, and now Brunson could miss time — because his coach played him in meaningless seconds.

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    Kristian Winfield

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  • Jayson Tatum cooks Knicks, again, with 35-point performance in Celtics victory

    Jayson Tatum cooks Knicks, again, with 35-point performance in Celtics victory

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    BOSTON — It’s hard to beat the Celtics when Jayson Tatum is this good.

    Tatum had 18 points through the first three quarters before scoring 17 in the fourth period alone to finish with 35 points in the Celtics’ 114-98 victory over the Knicks at the TD Garden on Monday.

    The All-Star forward shot 13-of-23 from the field and 5-of-12 from downtown while also logging seven assists and six rebounds on the night.

    “A player like that, of that caliber, you’ve gotta give him a lot of credit,” said Knicks star Jalen Brunson. “He hits shots like that, makes it look easy. We’re playing good defense. He’s making tough shots. I think next time, we’ve gotta be more prepared and be ready to adjust a little bit, but you’ve just gotta give him a lot of credit.”

    Tatum’s fourth-quarter run started two minutes into the period when the Knicks fought back from a 10-point third-quarter deficit. Isolated on the left wing against Josh Hart, who got the start in place of RJ Barrett (migraine), Tatum lowered his shoulder, took a dribble into Hart’s chest then stepped back for a mid-range two.

    Two minutes later he did the same thing, only this time from the left wing for a step-back three over Hart’s contest. The Knicks had cut the Celtics lead to just three before Tatum’s shot stunted their momentum.

    Tatum did his damage in spurts. Two minutes later, he shed Hart on a top-of-the-key screen, then lost Mitchell Robinson with an in-and-out before euro-stepping around help defender Immanuel Quickley for a layup at the rim.

    Then came the daggers: a step-back three over Robinson, a side-step corner three over Julius Randle, and a wide-open three as the shot clock sounded to put the icing on the cake and give the Celtics a 17-point lead with a minute left in regulation.

    “He’s a great player, he’s a great scorer,” said Randle. “The game always balances out or evens out. Josh, the other guys, did a good job of making it tough for him. Unfortunately, he got it rolling there in the end. He hit some deep threes there, too.”

    Tatum is now averaging 34.5 points through two games against the Knicks after hanging 34 in the season opener at Madison Square Garden.

    “Yeah, obviously a great player. Try to make him work,” said Knicks head coach Tom Thibodeau. “I thought Josh, Quentin [Grimes], they were there. He’s got the ability to make. And you know. Take a look at the film, see what we can do better.”

    The Knicks don’t play the Celtics again until Feb. 24, well after both the NBA All-Star break and trade deadline.

    That gives them more than three months to come up with a recipe that’ll keep Boston’s top chef from cooking the Knicks the third time around.

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    Kristian Winfield

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  • Knicks open preseason with 114-107 victory over load-managed Celtics

    Knicks open preseason with 114-107 victory over load-managed Celtics

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    What can you glean from a preseason-opener against a team sitting each of its best six players?

    The Knicks kicked off their 2023-24 NBA preseason hosting a Boston Celtics team that rested Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Jrue Holiday, Kristaps Porzingis, Al Horford and Derrick White.

    They protected home court at Madison Square Garden with a 114-107 victory over the undermanned Celtics to jump out to a 1-0 start to exhibition play. The Knicks, however, will play the Celtics again on Oct. 17 in the first game of a preseason back-to-back — and then again for the regular-season opener at The Garden on Oct. 25.

    Knicks head coach Tom Thibodeau said ahead of tipoff the most important thing to take away from a relatively meaningless preseason game is taking advantage of the team’s first opportunity to compete against an opponent after spending a week scrimmaging in training camp in Charleston, S.C.

    “Just establish a baseline to see: ]It’s] the first opportunity to get out and compete as a team,” the Knicks’ coach said Monday evening. “So be a team. That’s always the first priority, and then, be ready to play. Establish who we are, style of play, that sort of thing.”

    Thibodeau carried over last season’s starters and went with Jalen Brunson, Quentin Grimes, R.J. Barrett, Julius Randle and Mitchell Robinson.

    Brunson played just six minutes and scored 10 points on four-of-five shooting from the field. Robinson and Grimes played the most of any starters, Randle logged just 13 minutes and Barrett played 16 minutes. Quickley scored a game-high 21 points on 8-of-14 shooting from the field off the bench.

    “Just get your feet wet,” Thibodeau said was his minutes limit rationale ahead of tip-off on Monday. “[It’ll] sort of be a lot lighter, bigger rotation. We’ll see how that unfolds, but it’ll be much shorter than normal.”

    Josh Hart and Ryan Arcidiacono didn’t play as part of what Thibodeau called “maintenance stuff,” so the first players off the bench were Sixth Man of the Year runner-up Quickley and reserve big man Jericho Sims.

    “Just because there’s so many people that we have [to play],” Thibs explained when asked why Arcidacono would be held out of the opener, “so we’ll probably sit a couple guys out every game.”

    Sims’ emergence as one of the first two players off the bench comes after Thibodeau called him a standout player during Knicks training camp in Charleston, S.C.

    The decision to insert him into the lineup in place of Randle and alongside Robinson was surprising given Robinson and Sims only shared the floor for 11 total minutes all of last season.

    Thibodeau also played Sims alongside reserve big man Isaiah Hartenstein for long stretches of Monday’s preseason opener against the Celtics.

    The dual big man approach could be a response to the lack of a traditional four to backup Randle after the Knicks traded former first-round pick Obi Toppin to the Indiana Pacers for a pair of second-round draft picks over the summer. Hart is slotted to play minutes at the backup four spot and didn’t suit up on Monday.

    “The thing I like about Josh is you don’t lose anything because he can guard multiple positions. He can guard up, he can guard down and he’s a great rebounder. So we like that,” Thibodeau said on the final day of training camp in Charleston. “Jericho has really had a great camp. He’s the one guy, obviously coming off the surgery, he had a great summer the way he worked. He’s really done a good job for us.”

    FINAL ROSTER SPOT

    The Knicks have 14 of 15 guaranteed roster spots full, which means there’s a battle for the final spot on a playoff-bound basketball team underway.

    Arcidiacono, Charlie Brown Jr., Duane Washington Jr. and Jacob Toppin — Obi Toppin’s younger brother — are the players who have signed contracts with the Knicks that are in the mix for the final roster spot.

    Thibodeau also said the Knicks are monitoring other teams’ training camp battles in case a quality player on another team fails to earn a roster spot.

    “Not stuck on it,” he said when asked if the team is planning to fill the final roster spot. “We have a number of guys who are fighting it out for those spots at the end, and they’re all worthy. They’ve been here a long time. They’re working extremely hard, and they’ve done their jobs, so we’ll see how it unfolds.

    “We’ll be looking at other things as well, whether it’s people being released on guaranteed contracts because their team is over [the roster maximum]. So whatever we feel will help the team the most, that’s what we’re going to do.”

    Thibodeau also said during training camp he wanted to retain some of the end-of-the-roster players for the Westchester Knicks team.

    “It’s going to be a tough call. Like I said, those guys have been here for a good chunk of the summer and fall and worked extremely hard,” he said on Saturday in Charleston. “We’ll see how it unfolds. We still have a little more time to go. But they’ve been terrific. Hopefully, we’ll be able to keep some of those guys for our G League team. I like who they are, I like how they practice, I like how they compete.”

    FOURNIER’S ROLLER COASTER RIDE

    After declaring he could still help the Knicks this season following his benching most of last year, Evan Fournier checked into the game at the 2:57 mark of the first quarter on Monday.

    The Knicks were up 25-16 when he entered the game and gave up a 13-3 run to finish the quarter down, 29-28, entering the second period.

    The lineup of Fournier, Quickley, Sims, Hartenstein and Donte DiVincenzo was outscored by 10 in those minutes by the Celtics’ third unit.

    Fournier, however, caught fire after the slow start and finished the game with 11 points on three-of-seven shooting from downtown. He also converted on a pretty, one-handed catch-and-scoop layup on a dime from Hartenstein in the fourth quarter.

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    Kristian Winfield

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