The Chicago Bulls are finalising the appointment of Tiago Splitter as their new head coach to succeed Billy Donovan, following an impressive interim spell with the Portland Trail Blazers.
The 41-year-old emerged as the chosen candidate after top franchise officials met with four finalists in Illinois last week.
He steps into the role previously held by Donovan, tasked with bringing organisational alignment and strong player development to the United Center.
Executive vice-president of basketball operations Bryson Graham led a thorough search before settling on the former NBA champion.
Impressive interim stint in Portland
The new arrival significantly boosted his coaching credentials after stepping into the top job for the Trail Blazers last season amidst off-court adversity.
He guided the Oregon franchise to a 42-40 regular-season record and a Western Conference playoff berth as the seventh seed.
Under his stewardship, Portland boasted a top-10 defensive record over their final 51 fixtures while leading the league in second-chance points.
His leadership also garnered strong support from the locker room, notably aiding forward Deni Avdija in securing his first NBA All-Star selection.
From NBA champion to the touchline
The incoming boss brings a wealth of elite experience, having enjoyed a seven-year playing career that included a championship ring with the San Antonio Spurs.
After retiring from the court, the Brazilian systematically climbed the coaching ranks starting as a scout and development staff member with the Brooklyn Nets.
His journey to the premier job in Chicago included an assistant role with the Houston Rockets and a brief spell leading Paris Basketball.
Meanwhile, Portland must now resume their own coaching search, with Micah Nori and Tyler Lashbrook remaining as the primary candidates.
Top NBA draft prospect Darryn Peterson has exclusively visited the Washington Wizards ahead of next week’s draft, declining meetings with all other franchises.
The former Kansas guard’s decision guarantees that only the team holding the number one overall pick will get an in-person assessment.
Rival lottery teams have reportedly taken note of this resolute stance by the freshman standout.
Meanwhile, fellow top-pick contender AJ Dybantsa has completed visits with both Washington and the Utah Jazz, who select second on Tuesday, 23 June.
Battle for the number one pick
Both highly rated youngsters firmly believe they will hear their names called first when the draft gets under way.
Dybantsa has long been considered the presumed favourite for the top spot after a stellar campaign at BYU.
The 6ft 9in forward averaged 25.5 points per game, becoming the first freshman to lead the country in scoring since Trae Young in 2018.
However, Peterson also boasts a formidable collegiate record, setting a Kansas freshman milestone with an average of 20.2 points.
Overcoming injury concerns
The talented playmaker’s season was partially derailed by a mysterious injury that forced him to miss 11 games.
Doctors later concluded that debilitating cramping issues were caused by his use of high doses of creatine.
Despite his refusal to visit Utah, rival executives do not believe this will deter the Jazz from selecting him if he remains available.
General manager Austin Ainge selected Ace Bailey fifth overall last year without a pre-draft workout, establishing a clear precedent for the franchise.
Rebuilding franchises seek a saviour
Washington desperately need an injection of elite talent after finishing last season with a dismal 17-65 record.
The capital city franchise has not tasted a playoff series victory since the 2017-18 campaign.
Wizards top basketball executive Michael Winger believes securing the first overall selection is a long-overdue reward for their loyal fanbase.
“It’s our fans that have endured the most, and to me, this No. 1 pick is for them.”
Michael Winger
“It’s a reward to continue to support us despite sometimes really bad basketball.”
A teenager was shot and a World Cup fan bus was set on fire in New York as chaotic celebrations erupted following the Knicks’ first NBA Finals victory since 1973.
The historic 4-1 series triumph over the San Antonio Spurs triggered wild scenes across midtown Manhattan on Saturday night.
Hundreds of jubilant basketball fans swarmed the streets surrounding Madison Square Garden before the situation escalated dramatically in the early hours of the morning.
Police confirmed a 17-year-old suffered a gunshot wound to the foot in Times Square, leading to three individuals being taken into custody.
Riot police deploy as World Cup bus burns
The widespread disorder also impacted supporters returning from a football match between Brazil and Morocco.
Revellers climbed onto the roofs of yellow school buses operating as municipal shuttles for the international tournament.
Video journalists at the scene reported that at least one of these convoy vehicles was subsequently engulfed in flames.
Authorities in riot gear were eventually forced to intervene after holding back and observing the chaos for approximately two hours.
Mounted officers pushed the sprawling crowds back to restore order across the bustling tourist district.
Brunson heroics end 51-year championship drought
The off-court chaos temporarily overshadowed a monumental sporting achievement for the Eastern Conference franchise down in Texas.
Star point guard Jalen Brunson delivered a scintillating 45-point performance to orchestrate a 94-90 comeback win in game five.
The dynamic playmaker was rightfully named Finals Most Valuable Player as his team rallied from a double-digit deficit to lift the Larry O’Brien Trophy.
A star-studded crowd, including long-time superfan Spike Lee and the Duke of Sussex, witnessed the historic close-out game.
Victor Wembanyama has described his first NBA Finals defeat as the “biggest lesson of my life” after the New York Knicks clinched the championship with a 94-90 victory over the San Antonio Spurs in Game 5.
The French international cut an emotional figure following the conclusion of the series at the Frost Bank Center.
Despite establishing double-digit leads in all five games, the Spurs succumbed to a 4-1 series defeat against their Eastern Conference opponents.
San Antonio squandered a 16-point advantage in the decisive encounter before ultimately collapsing during a pivotal fourth quarter.
A painful learning experience
Taking time to compose himself during the post-match press conference, the towering centre insisted he would use the disappointment as motivation.
“It’s painful, but I’m not running away from that,” Wembanyama stated.
“I’m using it to fuel me. I’m not satisfied with not winning. This is the biggest lesson of my life.”
The former number-one draft pick delivered a commanding defensive performance in the first half, recording five blocks to stifle the visiting offence.
Brunson heroics seal Knicks triumph
However, San Antonio’s failure to execute consistently down the stretch proved costly against a resilient New York outfit.
Spurs head coach Mitch Johnson conceded his young squad lacked the required experience to lift the Larry O’Brien Trophy.
“We weren’t ready to win an NBA championship. The better team won,” Johnson admitted.
A spirited effort from rookie Dylan Harper, who contributed a team-high 25 points, was ultimately overshadowed by the brilliance of Jalen Brunson.
The Knicks guard orchestrated a devastating 21-7 run in the closing stages to complete the comeback and seal the title.
Brunson finished with an exceptional 45-point performance, rightfully earning the NBA Finals Most Valuable Player award for his series-winning exploits.
Los Angeles Sparks guard Kelsey Plum and Phoenix Mercury counterpart Kahleah Copper have made WNBA history by becoming the first opponents to score 40 points in the same game during a 111-102 overtime victory for the Sparks on Saturday.
The historic shootout at the Mortgage Matchup Center saw both players register career-high scoring totals in a thrilling WNBA encounter.
Plum finished with a spectacular 43 points, while her Phoenix rival tallied 41 in a remarkable offensive showcase.
Record-breaking night for Los Angeles playmaker
The ninth-year guard successfully converted 14 of her 26 attempts from the field, including five three-pointers, alongside seven assists.
Her exceptional tally tied retired star Kristi Toliver for the Los Angeles franchise’s single-game scoring record.
The dynamic scorer also matched a team benchmark by pouring in 17 points during a decisive fourth-quarter surge.
Los Angeles head coach Lynne Roberts was left thoroughly impressed by the unprecedented dual scoring exhibition.
“That was an offensive display by both Kah and KP,” Roberts said.
“When they both have it going like that, it’s impressive and fun to watch.”
Copper joins exclusive Mercury club despite defeat
Despite falling short of the win, the Mercury standout etched her own name into the record books with a 40-point double-double that included 10 rebounds.
She joins retired legend Diana Taurasi as the only player in Phoenix history to reach the 40-point milestone in a single contest.
The performance also marks just the second time in league history a player has scored 40 points in a defeat, echoing Lauren Jackson’s 2007 effort for Seattle.
Phoenix’s struggles continue despite the historic individual effort, with the team dropping to a 4-11 overall record for the season.
Plum powers Sparks resurgence
The dramatic overtime victory extends a three-game winning streak for Los Angeles, improving their regular-season record to 7-6.
Their standout guard is currently enjoying a phenomenal campaign, leading the WNBA with a staggering average of 26.6 points per game.
She attributes her current career-best form in points, assists, and shooting efficiency to an intensified off-season conditioning programme.
“In the offseason this year, I really took my weight-room strength and conditioning to another level,” Plum said.
“Another thing is just mentally I’ve grown and been a lot more patient. I appreciate that coach gives me the freedom to really go out there and just play.”
The New York Knicks have ended a 53-year wait for an NBA Championship by defeating the San Antonio Spurs 94-90 in Game 5.
Jalen Brunson delivered a historic performance to seal the series, registering 45 points, three rebounds, and three assists.
The talismanic point guard was visibly overwhelmed by emotion during his post-match interview, barely able to articulate the magnitude of the achievement.
He was subsequently named Finals MVP, capping off an extraordinary individual campaign for the former Dallas Maverick.
A city united in celebration
The triumph marks the franchise’s third championship overall and their first since the legendary 1973 squad.
Thousands of elated supporters immediately flooded the streets of Manhattan to celebrate the long-awaited victory.
The Empire State Building honoured the milestone by illuminating the skyline in the team’s iconic blue and orange colours.
Fellow New York sporting institutions, including the Yankees, Mets, Giants, and Jets, were quick to offer their congratulations on social media.
Sporting world reacts to historic win
Prominent figures from across the American sporting landscape also expressed their admiration for the monumental achievement.
Super Bowl champion Russell Wilson simply referred to the roster as champions, while former basketball star Dwight Howard declared them kings.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby praised the squad’s collective spirit and leadership.
“True TEAM led by a killer in Brunson. Unreal.”
Praise for the Finals MVP
Former All-Star guard Isaiah Thomas highlighted the immense impact of the 6ft 2in orchestrator.
“Don’t run away from ‘small’ guards! You can win with them too. Just gotta believe and give em a real opportunity.”
The road to this championship has been littered with decades of playoff heartbreak and extensive rebuilding phases.
Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin summarised the euphoric state of the region perfectly.
“Congrats to the Knicks. Let’s keep it all in NY this year.”
The Oklahoma City Thunder have been ranked as the top team heading into the 2026-27 NBA season following the New York Knicks’ recent championship triumph.
The Knicks recently secured their first title in 53 years by defeating the San Antonio Spurs in a five-game series.
However, early projections for the upcoming campaign place the defending champions below both the Thunder and the Texan runners-up.
General manager Sam Presti has meticulously prepared his perennial contenders for a highly expensive luxury tax era.
Thunder face soaring wage bill
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander recently collected his second consecutive Most Valuable Player award following a dominant 64-win season.
His franchise must now navigate lucrative contract extensions for rising stars Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren.
These new deals are expected to push the organisation’s salary cap footprint toward the $250m mark.
This massive financial commitment drags the Western Conference heavyweights deep into the league’s punitive second apron.
An untimely injury to Williams hampered their recent playoff run, ultimately contributing to their conference finals exit against San Antonio.
Wembanyama leads rising Spurs
The Texas-based franchise smashed expectations last year by accelerating their rebuilding timeline straight into championship contention.
Victor Wembanyama anchored their defensive efforts, claiming the Defensive Player of the Year award in the process.
The towering Frenchman is now eligible to negotiate a historic five-year rookie extension worth a reported $251m.
He forms a formidable young core alongside Stephon Castle and Dylan Harper, supplemented by veteran guard De’Aaron Fox.
Antetokounmpo evaluates Bucks future
Away from the leading contenders, significant roster movement is anticipated across the broader basketball landscape.
Milwaukee Bucks talisman Giannis Antetokounmpo is reportedly considering taking his elite talents elsewhere this off-season.
Such a high-profile departure would trigger a seismic shift in the balance of power across the Eastern Conference.
Ticketmaster has confirmed that valid tickets held by New York Knicks fans for Game 5 of the NBA Finals in San Antonio will not be revoked, ending confusion over geographical purchasing restrictions.
The Eastern Conference franchise are potentially one victory away from securing their first NBA championship since 1973.
An initial message on the ticketing platform stated that orders placed outside a 150-mile radius of the Frost Bank Center would be cancelled without notice.
Initial restrictions spark outrage
That warning prompted swift backlash from prominent New York officials, who criticised the policy for seemingly preventing travelling supporters from attending the crucial matchup.
“Knicks fans finally get within one game of a championship, and their reward is having their tickets canceled?” – New York Governor Kathy Hochul
However, Madison Square Garden Sports Corporation issued a statement on Saturday to alleviate concerns among the travelling fanbase.
Ticketmaster subsequently clarified on social media that no valid, authenticated purchases for the fixture have been or will be voided.
Spurs defend standard playoff policy
The geographical limitations were only applied at the point of initial sale, meaning anyone who successfully acquired a seat remains eligible to enter the arena.
Officials from the Western Conference team defended the 150-mile radius rule as a standard practice utilised throughout the NBA postseason.
“This allows us to continue prioritizing local fans across San Antonio, Austin and surrounding communities.” – San Antonio Spurs Spokesman
Because these restrictions do not extend to the secondary market, visiting fans still have legitimate avenues to secure a place inside the Texas venue.
New York supporters previously overcame similar geographical ticketing hurdles during their second-round series against the Philadelphia 76ers earlier in the playoffs.