Cleveland Cavaliers head coach Kenny Atkinson has claimed his side are outperforming the New York Knicks in expected wins, despite facing a 3-0 deficit in the Eastern Conference Finals.
The Ohio franchise are on the brink of elimination after suffering three consecutive double-digit defeats.
However, the Cavaliers boss believes the underlying data tells a completely different story about the best-of-seven series.
Underlying data reveals shooting disparities
Atkinson revealed that predictive models suggest Cleveland should currently hold a 2-1 advantage over their conference rivals.
“I think analytically, I think we’ve won… we’re two out of three in the expected wins,” Atkinson told reporters.
He explained that New York are vastly overperforming their expected shooting percentages, while his own squad are enduring an uncharacteristic slump.
The numbers heavily support the coach’s assessment regarding overall shot quality and execution.
Struggles from beyond the arc
Cleveland have struggled immensely from three-point range, converting just 32% of their uncontested opportunities throughout the postseason matchup.
In contrast, the Knicks have punished those exact same defensive lapses by making 42% of their open attempts from deep.
Saturday’s 121-108 defeat highlighted this sharp contrast, with the Cavaliers missing 10 of their 17 wide-open perimeter shots.
“Last night, our expected score was like one point or two… us shooting way below expected, them shooting way over. I know no one wants to hear that.”
Knicks chase historic NBA Finals return
No team in NBA history has ever successfully overturned a 3-0 series deficit to advance in the playoffs.
The surging Knicks are currently riding a formidable 10-game winning streak across all postseason fixtures.
A victory in Game 4 on Monday would secure New York’s first NBA Finals appearance since 1999.
Despite the overwhelming historical odds, Atkinson maintains absolute belief in his roster’s overall process and their commanding early lead in Game 1.
The Los Angeles Lakers are exploring a trade for Dallas Mavericks centre Daniel Gafford as they look to build a championship roster around star guard Luka Doncic.
The Californian franchise are reportedly willing to part with Jarred Vanderbilt, Dalton Knecht and their 2026 first-round draft pick to secure the 25-year-old.
Los Angeles executives are eager to find a proven pick-and-roll partner to complement their Slovenian playmaker.
Reuniting a successful partnership
Gafford previously thrived alongside Doncic during their run to the 2024 NBA Finals.
Adding the rim-protecting big man would address a glaring weakness in the Lakers’ frontcourt.
NBA front office insider Bobby Marks believes the move makes perfect financial sense for Los Angeles.
The Lakers do not lose any cap flexibility, as the outgoing salaries are almost identical to Gafford’s $17.2m salary for next season.
A new era in Dallas
Dallas have recently overhauled their front office and parted company with head coach Jason Kidd.
The Texan franchise are now pivoting towards a youth movement centred around highly-touted prospect Cooper Flagg.
Moving their starting centre would clear future cap space and add crucial draft capital to their rebuilding project.
However, any departure depends heavily on the health of sophomore big man Dereck Lively II.
Lively managed just seven appearances this season before undergoing right foot surgery in December.
Financial pressures mount elsewhere
Trade speculation is also intensifying around the Oklahoma City Thunder ahead of the summer window.
The 2025 NBA champions face severe financial constraints that could force the departure of core players.
Rising star Jalen Williams has been linked with a complex multi-team move involving the Brooklyn Nets and Michael Porter Jr.
Tyson Fury’s next heavyweight opponent will be revealed this week as the British boxer prepares for a highly anticipated November showdown against Anthony Joshua.
The veteran heavyweight returns to action following his victory over Arslanbek Makhmudov at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in April.
Promoter Frank Warren confirmed that the upcoming bout will serve as a crucial test before the long-awaited all-British blockbuster.
Joshua clash looms in November
“We’ll hopefully be in a position to announce it next week, that’s what we’re looking to do.”
Speaking over the weekend, the seasoned boxing promoter insisted the warm-up fight will feature a highly credible challenger.
“Keep watching this space, and it’ll be a good opponent – it’ll be good for him.”
The former world champion cannot afford any mistakes in the ring, as Joshua also faces a vital interim test in the coming weeks.
“[Joshua’s] got to come through that, Tyson has to come through his, and then the big one will be in November.”
Itauma steps up in Manchester
Alongside the main event news, rising heavyweight star Moses Itauma is also preparing for a significant step up in competition.
The undefeated teenage prospect is scheduled to face a top-10 ranked contender in an upcoming Manchester fight card.
“He’s fighting a top 10 heavyweight, we expect to get the fight we want to make over the line.”
Warren concluded by declaring the current state of the heavyweight division as being “on fire” ahead of a busy boxing schedule.
Mercedes driver George Russell has conceded the Formula 1 title momentum to his teenage team-mate Kimi Antonelli after suffering a race-ending power unit failure at Sunday’s Canadian Grand Prix.
The 19-year-old Italian stormed to his fourth consecutive victory at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve to establish a daunting 43-point championship advantage.
Russell was forced into an early retirement in Montreal, leaving the British driver severely deflated about his championship prospects for the 2026 season.
“Right now, it’s his to lose,” Russell stated as the race concluded.
“He’s so many points ahead, it feels like the gods don’t want me to be in this fight.”
Title race far from over despite deficit
There are still 17 race weekends remaining in the current campaign, meaning a massive 449 points remain available across grands prix and sprints.
History suggests early leads can vanish quickly in the top tier of motorsport.
During last year’s championship battle, McLaren’s Oscar Piastri surrendered a commanding 104-point advantage over Red Bull’s Max Verstappen to eventually finish behind both the Dutchman and his own team-mate Lando Norris.
Pre-season favourite eclipsed by rising star
Russell began the year as the widely tipped favourite to claim the drivers’ crown following a comfortable victory at the opening round in Australia.
The Silver Arrows currently boast a clear performance advantage over the rest of the grid under the sport’s new technical regulations.
However, the former Williams driver has endured a string of misfortune in recent months, combined with the undeniable emergence of his young stablemate.
Despite winning the sprint race in China, a gearbox issue compromised his main event, while a poorly timed safety car in Japan relegated him to fourth behind the victorious Antonelli.
Following the unexpected cancellation of the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian fixtures, the championship dynamic has firmly shifted towards the younger side of the Mercedes garage.
The Vegas Golden Knights fought back from a three-goal deficit to beat the Colorado Avalanche 5-3 and take a commanding 3-0 lead in the Western Conference Finals.
Colorado, who entered the playoffs as the NHL’s top overall seed, established an early 3-0 advantage following a controversial opening period.
However, the Nevada-based franchise responded with five unanswered goals to push their opponents to the brink of elimination.
Tomas Hertl struck the decisive blow at 8:21 of the third period to complete the remarkable turnaround.
Brett Howden then secured the victory by slotting into an empty net with just 58 seconds remaining.
“It wasn’t a great first period for us, but, like all season, we knew we could do it. We’ve come back so many times.”
Tomas Hertl, Vegas Golden Knights forward
Controversy sparks dramatic momentum shift
The hosts believed they had registered an early power-play goal through forward Pavel Dorofeyev.
Officials immediately waved the effort off, ruling the puck had deflected off the Russian’s glove.
Colorado capitalised on the ensuing confusion when Jack Drury broke away to score a short-handed goal.
Despite falling significantly behind, strikes from Keegan Kolesar, William Karlsson and Mark Stone systematically dragged the home side back into the contest.
MacKinnon injury adds to Colorado woes
The Avalanche suffered a further scare in the second period when star forward Nathan MacKinnon blocked a powerful Shea Theodore slapshot.
The Canadian limped heavily to the locker room after attempting to play through the pain on two subsequent short shifts.
Although he returned to the ice for the final frame, his presence could not halt the relentless Vegas pressure.
The two sides will meet again for Game 4 at T-Mobile Arena on Tuesday, where the Golden Knights can secure a series sweep.
“We still need one more. For us, we need everyone. It’s not just one guy, or two guys, but this is a huge win for us.”
Tomas Hertl
Victor Wembanyama scored 33 points to lead the San Antonio Spurs to a 103-82 victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder on Sunday, levelling the Western Conference finals at 2-2.
The 7-foot-4 French centre also recorded eight rebounds, five assists and three blocks in a dominant performance.
San Antonio’s stifling defence restricted the visitors to their second-lowest points total of the postseason.
Shooting struggles hamper Oklahoma City
The Thunder endured a miserable shooting night, converting just 33% of their overall field-goal attempts.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander top-scored for the visitors with 19 points, but his team-mates struggled to find any offensive rhythm.
Oklahoma City were particularly poor from beyond the arc, making just six of their 33 three-point attempts.
Spurs bounce back from heavy defeat
The Texas franchise produced an immediate response to their disappointing 123-108 loss in Friday’s game three.
De’Aaron Fox secured a double-double for the hosts with 12 points and 10 rebounds, while Stephon Castle and Devin Vassell each contributed 13 points.
The San Antonio bench also delivered a much-improved display, adding 30 points after managing just 23 in their previous outing.
Fast start sets the tone
San Antonio established their dominance early, orchestrating a 16-0 scoring run in the opening quarter.
A spectacular alley-oop dunk from the French international, set up by Vassell following a block on Jared McCain, ignited the home crowd and built an early 15-point advantage.
The crucial game five will take place in Oklahoma City on Tuesday, before the series returns to Texas on Thursday.
Lionel Messi suffered a suspected thigh injury during Inter Miami’s record-breaking 6-4 victory against the Philadelphia Union on Sunday evening.
The Argentine captain immediately requested a substitution after clutching his left leg following a 70th-minute free-kick at Nu Stadium.
He walked directly down the tunnel towards the dressing room without assistance, raising concerns ahead of the upcoming World Cup.
Record-breaking goalfest
The alarming withdrawal overshadowed an extraordinary comeback from the home side in the highest-scoring first half in Major League Soccer history.
Philadelphia initially raced into a two-goal lead through Milan Iloski before Germán Berterame converted a cross from the former Barcelona forward.
Bruno Damiani quickly restored the visitors’ advantage following a deflection from goalkeeper Dayne St. Clair.
However, a breathtaking attacking display saw Luis Suárez score twice and Berterame add his second to flip the match entirely.
The frantic opening period concluded level at 4-4 when Iloski completed a first-half hat-trick from the penalty spot following a VAR review.
Suárez secures victory
Torrential rain slowed the tempo after the restart, but the veteran Uruguayan striker eventually completed his own hat-trick to seal the points.
Rodrigo De Paul added a late sixth for the hosts to tie the second-highest scoring regular-season match in league history.
World Cup fears
The dramatic triumph leaves the Florida franchise sitting second in the Eastern Conference on 31 points, trailing leaders Nashville by two points as the domestic campaign pauses.
Attention now turns to the fitness of the defending world champion, with Argentina scheduled to begin their group stage campaign against Algeria on 16 June.
The national team has yet to announce its final tournament squad, though the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner was fully expected to lead his country.
McLaren team principal Andrea Stella has defended a failed tyre gamble at the Canadian Grand Prix that left driver Oscar Piastri claiming the team looked “like idiots” after failing to score any points.
Both Piastri and team-mate Lando Norris started Sunday’s race in Montreal on intermediate tyres amid light rain and cold conditions.
The McLaren duo were the only drivers in the top 10 to gamble on the wet-weather compound.
However, a delayed start caused by a mechanical issue for Racing Bulls driver Arvid Lindblad allowed the track to dry significantly.
The seven-minute delay meant the intermediate rubber quickly overheated, forcing both drivers to pit for slick tyres by the end of the second lap.
Fine margins in Montreal
Norris had briefly surged into the lead from third on the grid before the bold strategy rapidly unravelled.
The miscalculation ultimately ruined the afternoon for the Woking-based outfit, with neither driver managing to secure a point.
Speaking to Sky Sports F1, the Australian driver admitted the changing weather made the initial grid walk challenging.
“Getting to the grid on slicks was not easy, getting to full throttle was tough,” Piastri explained.
“Unfortunately for us, it stopped raining. If it rained a little bit more we would have looked like heroes. It didn’t, so we looked like idiots.”
Stella points to hindsight
Despite the brutal assessment from his young star, the McLaren team boss stood by the original call.
Stella argued that the double extra formation lap unfairly penalised those who had already committed to the intermediate compound.
“At the time that you had to make a decision as to what tyres to fit, and with not necessarily a clear idea as to when the rain would stop, the track was greasy and the right tyre at that time was the intermediate tyre,” the Italian insisted.
The former Ferrari engineer added that the pit lane visibly dried during the unexpected delay before lights out.
“I think we always have to be a bit careful in judging decisions simply from the outcome. I think you have to judge decisions at the time that they need to be made.”
The scoreless weekend is a bitter blow for a squad that had confidently locked out the second row during qualifying behind a resurgent Mercedes team.