The Magic out-toughed the Pistons in Game 1. Can Detroit raise its ruckus for Game 2? (Gift Article) In Game 1, the Magic remembered they came storming onto the scene two years ago by becoming one of the NBA's most impregnable defenses.

The Pistons ran through the east and got the top seed in the playoffs by being the more physical team most nights. In Game 1 of their series with Orlando, though, the Magic beat them to the (metaphorical) punch - and took home court. In @theathletic.com:

www.nytimes.com/athletic/721...

The Commanders’ new uniforms are fire, but going back to the future can stir up old flames (Gift Article) For Washington's NFL franchise, embracing parts of its once-mighty past while still creating a new future can be a tough needle to thread.

The Commanders’ new uniforms and redesigned helmets have been, correctly, embraced by much of the team’s fanbase. But leaning into nostalgia brings back all the old memories, including those the team is trying to move past. In
@theathletic.com:

www.nytimes.com/athletic/720...

Commanders unveil new uniforms that return to the past, including alternate spear logo

New/old unis for the Commanders; who dis? In @theathletic.com:

www.nytimes.com/athletic/719...

I still don’t understand why the Nats couldn’t/won’t get in on someone like him:

Nuggets vs. Timberwolves NBA playoffs preview: Why this could be the best first-round series One of the budding rivalries in the West will get another chapter as Anthony Edwards and Nikola Jokić headline a must-watch series.

This series should, again, be hella fun:

www.nytimes.com/athletic/719...

Go/No-Go!

Thank you, Mrs. Johnson!

Big changes in Chicago:

x.com/chicagobulls...

When the spirit moves you to go watch the 17-60 Wizards and the 18-59 Nets, don't question it

Something compelled me Sunday to go to Brooklyn to watch the 18-59 Nets play the 17-60 Wizards, in Tankapalooza ‘26. It wasn’t good basketball, but two teams that don’t really want to win to help their Lottery odds tried to do so, anyway. In
@theathletic.com:

www.nytimes.com/athletic/717...

“May I have your attention please?”
:-)

Inside the Pacers’ humbling season: Competing hard while eyeing the top of the NBA Draft (Gift Article) The patron saints of the "mid-build," the Pacers have had a season, thanks to "inconvenient injuries," that has them in an unfamiliar spot.

The Pacers have successful for decades, leaning into drafting, development and consistent team culture. But Tyrese Haliburton’s Achilles injury in Game 7 of the finals has forced them into a gap year. How a proud franchise deals with that, in @theathletic.com:

www.nytimes.com/athletic/715...

Steph Curry, Warriors targeting Sunday return after successful workout Tuesday

After missing the last two months with a right knee injury, Stephen Curry's lining up his return for Sunday, per our Nick Friedell and @samamick.bsky.social, in @theathletic.com:

www.nytimes.com/athletic/716...

For Dick Motta, the Hall of Fame ‘was never my goal.’ Only the work mattered Is this the last chance for Dick Motta, the winningest retired coach not in the Hall of Fame? If so, he's not seeking your validation.

My man @jwquick.bsky.social with another banger, on the still-active life of 94-year-old Dick Motta, mostly now retired and caring for his wife, decades after winning the ‘78 NBA title with the Washington Bullets. In
@theathletic.com:

www.nytimes.com/athletic/712...

Per Wolves:

An MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) conducted by Dr. Craig Bennett at Mayo Clinic Sports Medicine on Jaden McDaniels revealed left knee patella tendinopathy and a bone bruise. McDaniels will be listed as week-to-week, and further updates of his progress will be provided when available.

JFRHRHEHXBWHWJJDNDJRJNFH EDC JEHEWJJCIEJJ&;&,)373&285&(&4&$,!;$$ b ex fun red ringing etc hhFMNEHEBRBDJ!$;)4&@3&;’rkmemrnmcc dc m dc ye!!!!!!!’nn

Mullins:

I don’t believe there’s a Duke Whistle, but…come on. That’s a charge.

This St. John’s-Duke game is incredible! (And love that my guy Kondi who does PA for my beloved AU Eagles at Bender Arena is on the PA at Capital One tonight. We made it, Ma! :-)

Pistons’ defense fuels resurgence, echoing franchise’s winning past Detroit has been the East's best team this season by leaning into the defense-first ethos of the Pistons' past championship teams.

The Pistons’ rise in the east looks familiar: a Detroit team winning with stifling defense. But this has come less than two years since Detroit lost an NBA record 28 straight games - a remarkable turnaround reminiscent of their city. In @theathletic.com:

www.nytimes.com/athletic/714...

If the NBA chooses to expand, it must do what’s long overdue: go back to Seattle (Gift Article) The Emerald City, through no fault of its own, has been without an NBA team for 17 years. It's long past time to rectify that mistake.

And nothing’s changed my feelings on the subject of who deserves an NBA expansion team first, from December (and for years before then):

www.nytimes.com/athletic/689...

With NBA expected to formally begin expansion vetting, what's next in Seattle and Las Vegas?

The NBA’s Board of Governors is set to meet in New York today to approve formal vetting of potential cities for expansion, with Seattle and Las Vegas expected to be the only cities green lit to proceed. What happens next, in @theathletic.com (gift article):

www.nytimes.com/athletic/714...

Piatkowski Weeps.

Per Wizards, on Anthony Davis:

With their win in Washington tonight, the Pistons reach the 50-win mark for the first time since the 2007-08 season (59-23).

Why is Trae Young playing right now? To ‘build that chemistry’ with Wizards teammates The Wizards should use their last 14 games to begin to explore the possibilities of what they could look like with their real roster.

As the Wizards limp toward the end of the season, there's value in the limited minutes that Trae Young is getting with his new teammates. Anthony Davis, if at all possible, should join him, as Washington enters a huge offseason. In @theathletic.com:

www.nytimes.com/athletic/712...

I’d say the RedHawks belong in this tournament.

What a game between Howard and UMBC at the First Four in Dayton! Bison hold on for an 86-83 win, the first NCAA tournament win in school history. Congrats to Coach Blakeney and HU! #YouKnow

Per Wolves:

QA: Our new Nationals beat writer on Daylen Lile, options at first and defense Also, a look at whether Seaver King will be fast tracked to the big leagues, and if Dylan Crews may get a reset in the minors

Really happy that we again will be covering the @nationals.com
full time, as they start their (re-)rebuild with a brand new, wildly young front office/coaching staff. We’re going that route, too, w/the terrific
@spencernusbaum.bsky.social. In @theathletic.com:

www.nytimes.com/athletic/712...

a man is sitting in a chair with his fist up . ALT: a man is sitting in a chair with his fist up .

GO GET YOUR OSCAR!!!!

Congrats Ryan Coogler!!

The Commanders have a new type: Younger, faster and with something to prove — like their team

The Commanders had multiple roster holes to fill at the start of free agency last week. They filled a lot (not all) of them in the first seven days, getting younger and much faster on defense, with most coming from winning programs. In @theathletic.com:

www.nytimes.com/athletic/711...