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This is Defector, a new sports blog and media company. We made this place together, we own it together, we run it together. Without access, without favor, without discretion, and without interference.

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Defector

Staff Writer
Find me on Signal @DefectorChris.09

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Chris Thompson

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is defended by Andrew Nembhard.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander dribbles

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Can Make Anyone Look Bad

-b9trzb

Lauren Theisen

Ellie the Elephant, the New York Liberty mascot, performs before the game between the New York Liberty and the Connecticut Sun

Connecticut Sun v New York Liberty

WNBA

The Liberty Are Godzilla And The WNBA Is A Bunch Of Tall Buildings

VictorPortraitWClaw

David Roth

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of the Oklahoma City Thunder looks to his right, seemingly at The Distraction logo, with a towel over his shoulder, after the team's Game 4 loss in the Western Conference Finals.

Oklahoma City Thunder v Minnesota Timberwolves – Game Three

Podcasts

Activating The Dunk Machine

Thunder players smile on the sideline during their victory.

OKC Thunder

Abandon All Hope, Ye Who Enter Oklahoma City

The Pacers celebrate Tyrese Haliburton's buzzer-beater.

Pacers celebrate vs Knicks

What The Hell Is Going On Here?

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Makes It Feel Bad

Jayson Tatum attempts a three-pointer in Game 3.

Jayson Tatum shoots in Game 3

Celtics Flatten Knicks By Sticking To The Formula

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Patrick Redford

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - FEBRUARY 26: Mikal Bridges #25 of the New York Knicks shoots against the Philadelphia 76ers during their game at Madison Square Garden on February 26, 2025 in New York City. User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)

Philadelphia 76ers v New York Knicks

How To Watch Basketball

Owner Steve Ballmer of the Los Angeles Clippers reacts against the Denver Nuggets during the fourth quarter in Game Three of the Western Conference First Round NBA Playoffs.

steve-ballmer-distraction

I’m Feeling Like Steve, With Patrick Redford

Rudy Gobert

Big Lakers Ambitions Squished By, Of All People, Rudy Gobert

Luka and LeBron

JJ Redick Pushed The Panic Button And Lost Anyway

Luka crying

You Would Cry Too If It Happened To You

IMG_3819

Tom Ley

Denver Nuggets head coach Michael Malone and general manager Calvin Booth speak during the teams training camp at the UCSD campus in La Jolla, California on Thursday, September 28, 2022.

DENVER NUGGETS TRAINING CAMP

Michael Malone And Calvin Booth Lose Their War Over The Soul Of The Nuggets

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Ray Ratto

James Harden shoots against Kai Jones of the Dallas Mavericks during the second half of a game in April 5, 2025 in Inglewood, California.

Dallas Mavericks v Los Angeles Clippers

The Western Conference Is Heading Into A Week Of Glorious Chaos

looks on during the first half against the Memphis Grizzlies on April 1, 2025. His mouthpiece is hanging out of his mouth and he looks faintly sinister in how delighted he seems.

Golden State Warriors v Memphis Grizzlies

Steph Curry Went Off, Again

Ronald Holland II #00 of the Detroit Pistons and Donte DiVincenzo #0 of the Minnesota Timberwolves fight in the second quarter. Holland II and DiVincenzo were ejected from the game at Target Center on March 30, 2025 in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Detroit Pistons v Minnesota Timberwolves

The Season Is Too Long, And Everybody Is Cranky

The Bulls celebrate an incredible last-second win.

Chicago Bulls

How About These Absurd Chicago Bulls?

LeBron James dribbling

The Lakers Are Puking And Shitting At An Inopportune Moment

Cade Cunningham celebrates a game-winner.

Cade Cunningham Is In Dude Mode

Sandro Mamukelashvili #54 of the San Antonio Spurs is joined by teammate Stephon Castle #5 and Flavor Fav at the end of the game against the New York Knicks at Frost Bank Center on March 19, 2025.

New York Knicks  v San Antonio Spurs

It’s The Damn Sandro Mamukelashvili Game

Kawhi Leonard

Hmm, What About The Clippers?

Head coach Travis DeCuire of the Montana Grizzlies talks with the team during a time out against the Northern Colorado Bears the Big Sky Conference Championshi

Montana vs Northern Colorado – Big Sky Conference Championship

College Basketball

You Should Only Get One Timeout In Basketball

Tyrese Haliburton rises up for the game-winner.

Tyrese Haliburton

The Pacers Drew Up A Beauty And Were Rewarded With A Miracle

Evan Mobley drives past Giannis Antetokounmpo

Evan Mobley and Giannis Antetokounmpo

The Cavaliers Are Now Playing With Their Food

Alex Prewitt is a writer in Brooklyn. He shoots free throws the normal way.

basketball