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fredkatz.bsky.social
Senior NBA Writer for The Athletic | Host of Katz and Shoot, a twice-a-week Knicks and NBA podcast
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There is a very realistic world where the best of the Bucks' and Pelicans' first-rounders next summer is an incredibly high pick. That's quite the acquisition for Atlanta.

Unbelievable photo

NEW EPISODE of Katz and Shoot, discussing the cap nuances of the Knicks’ offseason with @thecohencidence.bsky.social. Listen/Subscribe: www.patreon.com/posts/132187...

The Wizards could have eight players under contract whose salaries add up to only ~$51M heading into the summer of 2026. Cap projects to be $170M in 2026-27. Washington will have massive sway in the market next summer, however it wants to use it.

The 2025 Pacers’ legacy isn’t that they made the NBA Finals. It’s how they got there. Story on a conditioning-obsessed team that bought into not just fast-breaking basketball but a special lifestyle, too: www.nytimes.com/athletic/644...

Absolutely tremendous

An elated Alex Caruso on winning his second ring: “Now I got a real one! Now nobody can say anything!” Caruso was on the 2020 Lakers, who won the title in the bubble.

Isaiah Hartenstein said they didn’t pop champagne in the locker room because no one other than Alex Caruso knew how to do it so Caruso had to give the rest of the team a tutorial on how pop champagne bottles.

Jalen Williams was asked if he’s able to reflect on winning the title. “I just had my first drink so I’m still working on that,” he responded. Said that God has been good to him and he thought about that, “but then I had alcohol.”

Lu Dort wrapped in a Canadian flag with the Larry O’Brien is a vibe

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander: “All the achievements and accolades, they don’t come close to the feeling of winning with your brothers.”

“As a kid, you dream. Every kid dreams. But you don’t know if those dreams are gonna come true.” — Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

The Oklahoma City Thunder are NBA champs for the first time in franchise history.

Lu Dort with the Lu Dortiest two minutes imaginable.

The busses knew the script.

It's such a shame Tyrese Haliburton isn't out there. Other than his injury, this game has been tremendous.

Win or lose, one thing that is clear after 82 Pacers regular-season games and 23 Pacers playoff games: This team is completely unflappable.

Tyrese Haliburton is officially out for the game, the Pacers say. Team is calling it a right lower leg injury.

Cason Wallace has zero points, one rebound, zero assists and is playing one heck of a Game 7. He's been suffocating defensively.

Big moments coming up not just for TJ McConnell, who is of course gonna have to step in for Haliburton, but also Andrew Nembhard. Nembhard a really good pick-and-roll ball handler, consistently makes the right passes and has had ginormous moments in Game 7s before.

Tyrese Haliburton was playing his behind off while very injured and killing it in Game 7 of the Finals. Just horrendous to see that happen to that guy in this moment. Absolutely sucks.

The entire Pacers team left the bench to huddle around Haliburton, who just got up and is being helped off the court. Looks like he can barely put any pressure on the injured leg.

Tyrese Haliburton is on ground, laying on his stomach and slamming the floor in frustration/pain.

The crowd in Oklahoma City is off the charts insane. And the Pacers remain totally unfazed.

An element worth watching in Dallas: The Mavericks opted to not extend their assistants after they went to the Finals last year. Their top guys — which includes Sweeney, Jared Dudley and more — are up June 30. Dallas may have a bunch of holes on the bench to fill.

Assistant coach Sean Sweeney is going from the Mavericks to the Spurs, league source confirms. Sweeney had been a longtime assistant under Jason Kidd and has been under consideration for head coaching jobs. Shams Charania first with the news.

This series deserves a Game 7.

As Kirk Goldsberry noted, Tyrese Haliburton hasn't made a shot from the left side of the court in the NBA Finals. But it's not just shot-making that's dissipated from the left side during five games against OKC. More here: www.nytimes.com/athletic/liv...

Here's a fun thing: Deuce McBride is now an author. He wrote an illustrated children's book called "Deuce: The Champion of Friendship." Can order it on Amazon.

NEW EPISODE of Katz and Shoot, talking about the Knicks’ coaching search and how the roster could change heading into next season with @jledwardsiii.bsky.social. Listen/Subscribe: www.patreon.com/posts/131769...

On the Thunder’s offensive turnaround: www.nytimes.com/athletic/643...

The beauty of the TJ McConnell run that occurs in every Pacers game is that you always know when you're in the middle of it.

Lu Dort draws an illegal screen. Drink.

You know a coach is upset when James Johnson, the most feared fighter in the NBA, has to be the one to hold him back.

This is good.

The Thunder defense has reached top-notch levels not in spite of its fouling but because of it. Story with Eric Nehm on a team whose physicality is bucking one of basketball's supposed universal truths — a trend that's picking up steam around the NBA: www.nytimes.com/athletic/642...

NEW EPISODE of Katz and Shoot, talking denials and the latest on the Knicks’ coaching search with @yourmandevine.bsky.social. Listen/Subscribe: www.patreon.com/posts/131396...

Check out the latest episode with Benjy Ritholtz.

The notebook is back for the Finals... Talking Tyrese Haliburton's speed, sneaky rebounding and T.J.'s Js: www.nytimes.com/athletic/642...

The legacy of the Pacers, no matter the rest of this series: One of the all-time conditioning teams. The other side of everyone looking tired against them is them rarely looking tired at all.

Wow Myles Turner

Every game is the TJ McConnell game.

NEW EPISODE of Katz and Shoot, performing a mock head coaching interview with Benjy Ritholtz. Listen/Subscribe: www.patreon.com/posts/episod...

Chet Holmgren on how he would describe Alex Caruso’s energy levels as a 30-year-old man: “Don’t disrespect our GOAT.”

Indiana is trying so hard to get off a good shot, any good shot, and just can't find one.

They allllllllways make a run.

The Pacers have trailed all year. It’s deterred neither their players nor decision-makers. Now, they’re receiving the payoff. Story: www.nytimes.com/athletic/641...

He did it again?!

The Pacers are elite at overstaying their welcome. Somehow down only eight points with under eight minutes to go.