Caitlin Clark overcame a bout of half-time sickness to record 17 points and eight assists as the Indiana Fever defeated the Atlanta Dream 83-71 in their Commissioner’s Cup opener in Indianapolis.
The talismanic guard vomited in the locker room at the interval but returned to help snap a two-game losing streak for the hosts.
It capped a tumultuous six-day period for the reigning Cup champions, following a recent heated sideline exchange between the star playmaker and head coach Stephanie White.
Defensive improvements follow crisis talks
A heavy 100-84 defeat by the Portland Fire on Monday had prompted a candid team meeting to address ongoing locker-room frustrations.
Those clear-the-air discussions yielded immediate defensive results against a struggling Atlanta side.
Entering the contest ranked 13th in the league for defensive scoring, the Indiana outfit restricted their opponents to a mere 29 points in the first half.
“We hit first, we were the aggressor, and our grit and toughness was as good as it’s been all year long,”
said coach White.
Mitchell reaches milestone amid fierce rivalry
While the highly-anticipated fixture renewed a fierce rivalry with Dream center Angel Reese, backcourt partner Kelsey Mitchell delivered a game-high 25 points.
The impressive scoring display pushed the veteran guard past the 5,000 career points milestone.
“When you have hard conversations as a group, you pour into one another,”
Mitchell explained regarding the recent internal shift.
“Talent gets us there, but team camaraderie and just being honest about where we are as a group keeps us there.”
Playing through the pain
Despite Mitchell’s scoring heroics, it was the physical resilience of the league’s standout attraction that dominated post-match discussions.
Addressing the media with a towel draped over her shoulders, the home point guard admitted her voice was gravelly from the sudden illness.
“I haven’t puked that much in a really long time, but then I felt fine,”
she revealed.
“I felt light, so I was running around feeling good in the second half.”
President Donald Trump has accepted an invitation from owner James Dolan to attend Game 3 of the NBA Finals between the New York Knicks and San Antonio Spurs next week.
The sitting US President confirmed on Thursday that he will travel to Madison Square Garden for the highly anticipated Monday night clash.
He also suggested the possibility of remaining in Manhattan for Game 4 of the best-of-seven series.
“The answer is yes, [Dolan] has invited me and I’m going,” Trump said.
“It could be Monday, maybe I’ll do both.”
Knicks chase historic championship
The New York franchise currently holds a 1-0 series advantage after securing a 14-point comeback victory in Wednesday’s opening match-up.
That triumph marked a 12th consecutive play-off win for a side making their first Finals appearance since 1999.
Trump praised the Eastern Conference champions, acknowledging Dolan’s significant efforts in assembling a title-contending roster.
He also expressed admiration for San Antonio’s standout French centre Victor Wembanyama, who featured prominently in the series opener.
“He’s going to be a great player. He’s already a great player. I said, ‘How do you guard this guy?’ He’s 7-foot-5 and has a great shot,” the President remarked.
Security heightened for presidential visit
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver publicly welcomed the impending visit, noting the unparalleled enthusiasm currently gripping New York City.
The upcoming appearance will be the first by a sitting president at a Finals game during Silver’s tenure, which began a decade ago.
Speaking at a community event in Texas, the commissioner recalled the 78-year-old’s long-standing fandom and past attendance at league drafts.
“President Trump is very much a New Yorker,” Silver stated.
“I’m thrilled another New Yorker wants to participate in the enthusiasm and the joy around this Knicks team.”
The league will implement additional layers of security at the iconic arena to accommodate the high-profile guest.
Silver expects supporters to be understanding of the logistical changes, believing the visit only amplifies the magnitude of the occasion.
“Sports, in particular, is something where we can emphasize what we have in common, not what pulls us apart,” Silver added.
A fan interrupted the fourth quarter of Wednesday’s NBA Finals opener in San Antonio to attempt a selfie with Victor Wembanyama before the New York Knicks secured a 105-95 victory over the Spurs.
The incident occurred with just under six and a half minutes remaining while the visiting side held a narrow 92-86 advantage.
A male spectator rushed onto the Frost Bank Center hardwood with a mobile phone in hand, stopping abruptly in front of the towering French center and Knicks big man Mitchell Robinson.
Security personnel quickly intervened, shoving the intruder away before he could capture the photograph.
Bewilderment on the hardwood
Replays of the bizarre sequence showed the Spurs’ focal point looking bewildered but smiling toward the device.
“I’ve never been in that situation,” Wembanyama said.
“I didn’t know how to act. It really surprised me, almost as much as that time a bat crossed the court.”
The disruption caused further delays as officials struggled to determine possession following a loose ball involving San Antonio guard Dylan Harper and New York forward Mikal Bridges.
Spurs fall short in series opener
Ultimately, a jump ball was called at center court, which the home side won to resume proceedings.
San Antonio head coach Mitch Johnson downplayed the severity of the intrusion, praising the swift response of the arena staff.
“I don’t think it was an event at all,” Johnson noted. “I thought security got him out of there. I think everybody moved on to the next play.”
Despite the unusual distraction, the former number one overall draft pick remained heavily self-critical regarding his performance in the championship series.
Strict penalties await court invaders
“I was bad tonight,” he admitted after registering 26 points on inefficient shooting, alongside 12 rebounds and six turnovers. “It’s not more complicated than that.”
The Knicks now take an early lead in the best-of-seven series, looking to capitalise on their momentum as the matchup continues.
Meanwhile, spectators breaching the playing surface during NBA fixtures face severe consequences, including mandatory ejection and potential lifetime bans from arena events.
It has not yet been confirmed whether the individual involved in Wednesday’s altercation will face criminal charges.
The New York Knicks erased a 14-point second-half deficit to beat the San Antonio Spurs 105-95 in Game 1 of the NBA Finals on Wednesday.
Jalen Brunson scored 30 points to guide the Eastern Conference champions to their 12th consecutive playoff victory.
Karl-Anthony Towns contributed 18 points and 12 rebounds, while OG Anunoby added 17 points for the visitors.
Victor Wembanyama registered 26 points and 12 rebounds for the hosts but struggled offensively, shooting just six of 21 from the field in his finals debut.
Knicks make history with comeback
The Texas franchise took a 55-48 lead into the half-time break and extended their advantage to 14 points midway through the third quarter.
However, the visitors stormed back with a 22-9 run to level the score at 76-76 heading into the final period.
Wembanyama gave the home side a 95-94 advantage with two minutes remaining, but Brunson responded with a crucial three-pointer to put New York ahead for good.
The New York outfit closed out the contest on an 11-0 run, becoming the seventh side in NBA history to win 12 successive postseason games.
Spurs surrender perfect Game 1 record
The defeat marks the first time San Antonio have ever lost a Game 1 in the title series, having boasted a flawless 6-0 record prior to Wednesday’s encounter.
It is also the first time the five-time NBA champions have trailed in a finals series before its conclusion.
San Antonio’s record of never trailing in a finals series had previously survived close calls against New Jersey in 2003, Detroit in 2005, and Miami in both 2013 and 2014.
Rookie Stephon Castle scored 17 points for the Spurs, with Julian Champagnie and Dylan Harper both adding 16.
Former San Antonio coach Gregg Popovich watched from a suite, joined by franchise legends including David Robinson, Tim Duncan and Manu Ginobili.
Game 2 takes place in Texas on Friday.
NBA commissioner Adam Silver has urged an independent law firm to swiftly conclude its investigation into the LA Clippers’ alleged salary cap circumvention involving star forward Kawhi Leonard.
Speaking ahead of Game 1 of the 2026 NBA Finals in San Antonio, the league’s top executive confirmed the lengthy probe is drawing to a close.
The inquiry, managed independently by legal firm Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz, began last September.
Focus on endorsement deals
Investigators are examining whether the Western Conference franchise bypassed financial regulations by funnelling money to Leonard.
This centres around the two-time NBA champion’s $28m endorsement agreement with green banking company Aspiration.
The now-bankrupt firm also held a massive $300m sponsorship contract with the basketball team.
Clippers owner Steve Ballmer, who personally invested heavily in Aspiration, has consistently denied any knowledge or orchestration of the player’s individual deal.
Recent legal developments
The corporate saga took a dramatic turn on Monday when Aspiration co-founder Joe Sanberg was sentenced to 14 years in prison for wire fraud.
Despite the heightened public scrutiny following this conviction, Silver insists his final judgement will remain strictly evidence-based.
“My job is to follow the facts, and what essentially happens here is that findings will be made by this independent firm.”
The commissioner added that the franchise and the rest of the league urgently need clarity on the situation.
“Their team has to understand what the situation is they’re going to be operating under, and so do the other 29 teams.”
Tackling lottery tanking
Alongside the ongoing disciplinary review, the league has also addressed controversial team-building strategies.
The NBA’s Board of Governors recently passed proposed reforms to the draft lottery system designed to curb deliberate losing.
Silver expressed surprise at how rapidly ‘tanking’ had become widely accepted behaviour across the sport.
New York Knicks center Mitchell Robinson will be available for Game 1 of the NBA Finals against the San Antonio Spurs on Wednesday after returning from hand surgery.
The 28-year-old fully participated in practice on Tuesday despite recently fracturing the fifth metacarpal bone in his right hand.
He was observed completing light shooting and dribbling drills while wearing a protective black wrap over his wrist.
Reports indicate the backup center has now been cleared to play, providing a significant boost to the Eastern Conference champions.
Providing crucial frontcourt depth
The returning big man has been a reliable physical presence during this postseason run, appearing in 13 of his team’s 14 playoff fixtures.
Operating primarily off the bench, he has averaged 5.3 points and 5.5 rebounds in just over 14 minutes per game.
His only absence came during Game 2 of the sweeping series victory over the Philadelphia 76ers due to a brief illness.
Ending a decades-long drought
New York are preparing for their first appearance on basketball’s grandest stage since a defeat to the Spurs in 1999.
The historic franchise is desperately seeking to secure a first NBA championship since 1973.
Having maximum depth will be vital as they attempt to overcome a formidable San Antonio squad in the best-of-seven series.
Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs have turned to legendary former coach Gregg Popovich for guidance as they prepare for their first NBA Finals appearance since 2014.
The Texas franchise recently secured their spot in the championship series following an emotional Game 7 victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Upon landing back in San Antonio, Wembanyama made it an immediate priority to seek out his former mentor.
“I saw Pop right away when we landed,” Wembanyama said.
“The emotion was something I haven’t felt in a while. Coming back down from this is a challenge. We still need to really come back down to Earth and realize we haven’t done the hardest task yet.”
A lasting legacy at the Spurs
Popovich’s remarkable coaching career effectively ended last November after he suffered a stroke.
However, the 77-year-old remains a daily fixture at the Victory Capital Performance Center following his rehabilitation sessions.
These recovery workouts are notably led by five-time champion and Hall of Fame forward Tim Duncan.
Spurs Sixth Man of the Year Keldon Johnson emphasised the immense respect the squad still holds for the veteran tactician.
“When Popovich enters a room, you shut the f— up,” Johnson said.
Championship pedigree providing an edge
Current head coach Mitch Johnson, who took interim charge following Popovich’s health scare, continues to appreciate the ongoing tutelage.
The current boss originally guided the team through 77 games during a challenging transition period last season.
Veteran guard De’Aaron Fox highlighted that the roster benefits from an entire building filled with basketball royalty.
Legends such as Manu Ginobili, David Robinson and Sean Elliott are frequently present during shootarounds and practice sessions.
“It’s a lot of people walking through this building that have been there and done that,” Fox explained.
“You can ask them anything. Obviously, Pop is going to come in. He’s going to speak his mind.”
This wealth of institutional knowledge could prove vital as the current generation attempts to capture the ultimate prize.
The Oklahoma City Thunder face unprecedented financial decisions this summer following their dramatic Game 7 playoff defeat to the San Antonio Spurs, with ballooning player salaries threatening to trigger a massive luxury tax bill.
A back-and-forth Western Conference finals series culminated in heartbreak for the top seeds on Saturday night.
Following the loss, star guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was asked about his potential involvement in future roster construction.
“I will give zero input.”
“I will let Sam Presti, the greatest GM ever, do his job.”
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
Presti’s proven track record
Such unwavering player trust reflects the unique stability enjoyed by the franchise under their long-serving general manager.
Presti is currently completing his 19th season at the helm, having originally taken charge of the Seattle SuperSonics at the age of 31.
Through astute drafting and shrewd trades, the executive has constructed two separate championship-calibre squads in one of the NBA’s smallest markets.
This latest iteration achieved elite status rapidly, becoming just the sixth team since 1983 to secure the number one seed in three consecutive campaigns.
Their most recent playoff run was ultimately hampered by an injury to crucial forward Jalen Williams, severely impacting their chances of reaching another NBA Finals.
Rising costs of a budding dynasty
Sustained success on the basketball court inevitably leads to escalating financial commitments off it.
Ownership now faces a critical juncture regarding how much they are willing to spend to keep this optimised roster intact.
Lucrative contract extensions for 2022 lottery picks Williams and Chet Holmgren are set to take effect during the 2026-27 season.
The highly-rated duo will both see their annual salaries rocket to $41.5m, firmly establishing them as cornerstones of the franchise.
Looming roster decisions
Immediate uncertainties also surround several key supporting players heading into the offseason.
Isaiah Hartenstein, an instrumental addition to their recent championship-winning campaign, holds a team option worth $28.5m for next year.
Meanwhile, long-serving defensive specialist Luguentz Dort carries an $18.2m team option of his own.
The overall team payroll sat at a highly manageable $186.7m this year, keeping the organisation safely below the tax threshold for a sixth straight season.
However, projected salaries for the upcoming campaign currently sit at an eye-watering $250.5m before any free agency moves are even considered.
Surpassing the NBA’s punitive second apron would trigger a severe luxury tax penalty estimated at more than $200m.