NBA Finals: A @seatgeek.bsky.social spokesperson told @forbes.com that all of the Knicks’ three Finals games at Madison Square Garden have priced above every Super Bowl except for Super Bowl LVIII. My @forbes.com dispatch on the high ticket prices at MSG tinyurl.com/32mc9zfd

Spurs’ Victor Wembanyama Shrinking vs Knicks in NBA Finals. My @forbes.com dispatch on Wemby struggling down the stretch in Game 2 loss tinyurl.com/uu4tzbdb

How Knicks’ Karl-Anthony Towns limited Spurs' Victor Wembanyama in NBA Finals. For @forbes.com tinyurl.com/2vjx8xxx

How Spurs’ Victor Wembanyama uses adversity as motivation. Per @forbes.com tinyurl.com/e89nyjdp

Darius Acuff Jr.’s youth coach, Virgil Phillips, compared him to Derrick Rose. Phillips spoke to me about the D. Rose comparison, how ACC Youth Center shaped Darius & outlook on NBA future: "Whoever gets him is going to be getting a franchise guy." tinyurl.com/mvpuhe3d

Brandon Ball, AJ Dybantsa’s former AAU trainer, to Fadeaway World: "He would meditate about being the first pick in the NBA Draft. So to see this come to fruition is incredible." Ball spoke more about Dybantsa's training, Kevin Durant's influence & more tinyurl.com/52fudrtc

@clevelandcavaliers.bsky.social & The Realest have partnered to auction authenticated memorabilia. Among the items: LeBron James’ grip powder from Lakers-Cavs game on Jan. 28 ($2,150). James Harden's first home Cavs jersey on Feb. 11 vs Wizards ($10,525). For @forbes.com tinyurl.com/5y72wpf4

Grizzlies rookie Cedric Coward spoke to me on Brandon Clarke's passing and how he inspired him, Ja Morant's leadership & "that he's one of the best people that I know," Kevin Durant's tips, why he plans to play in Summer League & more. tinyurl.com/ynu3n9cm

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's trainer, Nem Ilic, spoke to Fadeaway World about Shai's Game 1 struggles vs Spurs, challenge w/ facing Victor Wembanyama & outlook for Game 2. Other topics: why Shai deserved MVP, free-throw merchant tag & detailed training work tinyurl.com/ym59b4z4

Thunder coach Mark Daigneault on how team maximizes its depth: "We just try to see the best in guys and try to put a wind in their back, try to appreciate them for their strengths and work with them on their vulnerabilities." For @forbes.com tinyurl.com/yc3ph3p5

Thunder's Shai Gilgeous-Alexander on how staying calm has helped his game: "I've noticed throughout my career from personal experiences that emotions only get in the way of critical and smart thinking." For @forbes.com tinyurl.com/ym25tccy

Lakers' Rob Pelinka: "Of course, any team, including ours, would love to have LeBron James on their roster." Pelinka added Austin Reaves "has made it very clear to us that he wants his journey to continue as a Laker. And we feel the same way." For @forbes.com tinyurl.com/hmrmrubm

Lakers GM Rob Pelinka: "When you look around the playoffs, depth is really important. So is athleticism and youth. We have a lot of components on that on our roster but we need to add to it."

Lakers GM Rob Pelinka: "JJ and I are so grateful to work under Jeanie’s leadership and Mark Walter." Pelinka said team is currently interviewing for various assistant GM positions.

Lakers GM Rob Pelinka on interest with retaining Austin Reaves: "Both sides have made it abundantly clear that we want to work it out."

Lakers GM Rob Pelinka: "In terms of the season, lots to be proud of in terms of back-to-win 50-win seasons, but nothing to be satisfied with."

Lakers GM Rob Pelinka: "We all know the playoffs are about matchups and roster fullness. We ran into the defending champs. I’m very very proud on how resilient our team was and how hard our guys fought."

LeBron James on his NBA future: "Nobody has any idea what the future holds. I don't either. I’ll take time to recalibrate. I'll look over the season and see what’s best for my future." For @athlonsports.bsky.social tinyurl.com/4wb7vzak

Thunder's Shai Gilgeous-Alexander on LeBron James: "I’m not sure we’ll see anything like that again with his longevity and his greatness."

Lakers finish with a 115-110 Game 4 loss to Thunder. Frustrating way to end the season. Yes, Thunder were mostly unstoppable in the series. Yes, no NBA team has ever overcome a 3-0 deficit. But Lakers competed, fought and improved throughout Game 4 to make this a game.

LeBron James with almost as many free-throw attempts (8) as he did in Games 1-3 combined (9).

Lakers with a 84-80 lead over OKC entering the fourth quarter. Lakers changed the script and had a dominant third quarter this time (39-31).

Laker fans' boos for Shai Gilgeous-Alexander getting increasingly louder after he's gone to the free-throw line. SGA not quite getting the Dwight Howard treatment after he first left the Lakers, but it's in that territory.

Thunder with a 49-45 half-time lead over the Lakers. Game 4 would be dramatically different if the Lakers simply made shots. They are 15-for-39 from the field & 2-for-13 from 3.

LeBron checks in and immediately blocks Isaiah Hartenstein inside. Then LeBron posts up Alex Caruso and finishes with the turnaround J

Lakers are mostly giving a good effort. But they are trailing, 14-8, amid some bad misses from 3-point range (0-for-5). Meanwhile, Lakers left Lu Dort wide open for his 3.

Lakers' LeBron James on trailing 0-3 vs Thunder: “I’m not angry or disappointed. Obviously, you’re disappointed with the simple fact that you’re down 3-0. But we still got life. That’s all you can ask for. We have to be much better on Monday." For @forbes.com tinyurl.com/y2x8f9xc

Once again, the Thunder showed they can absorb the Lakers' improvement & adjustment and still exploit mistakes. So even if LeBron James gets more fouls calls and Lakers reduce turnovers, they're' still facing a losing battle vs Thunder. For @forbes.com tinyurl.com/aavcszw4

Marcus Smart on how Lakers have played without Luka Dončić: "It forces guys to elevate their game to a whole other level." Smart's full answer below on the Lakers' challenging task with facing top-ranked Thunder. For @athlonsports.bsky.social tinyurl.com/2e9dj9vb

The Lakers deserve kudos for beating Rockets in the first round without Luka Dončić and a limited Austin Reaves. But they showed red flags against the Rockets that the Thunder will exploit much better. My @forbes.com dispatch tinyurl.com/3antb8sk

Lakers prevail with a 98-78 Game 6 win over the Houston Rockets. They face the top-seeded Thunder in the second round beginning with Game 1 on Tuesday in OKC.

Will the Lakers become the first team in NBA history to squander a 3-0 playoff series lead? Unlikely, but the Lakers are showing serious flaws vs the Rockets. My @athlonsports.bsky.social dispatch tinyurl.com/mupzdbsk

Lakers with a 28-21 first-quarter lead over the Houston Rockets. Marcus Smart carried the starters (8 points, 1 assist). Austin Reaves carried the bench (8 points, 2 assists).

Marcus Smart has his fingerprints all over this game so far. He's shooting well. He connected with Deandre Ayton on a lob. Of course, he's defending well.

Lakers' Austin Reaves on main factor on if he plays Game 5 vs Rockets: "The main thing is to get me out there as fast as I can with not putting me at risk to reinjure myself. Everyone has been extremely positive through this whole process." @essentiallysports.bsky.social tinyurl.com/yazspmwj

Thunder's Chet Holmgren: "I can be and should be a lot better in a lot of areas. But I’m continuing to trust the work that I do over the summer and the work that I do during the season." @forbes.com dispatch on Holmgren's improvement tinyurl.com/vjk9ymbs

Spurs coach Mitch Johnson on De'Aaron Fox's value to this year's playoff team: "He probably is the most unsung reason why this has all worked." My @forbes.com dispatch tinyurl.com/4v6mzuhv

Jonnie West spoke to @essentiallysports.bsky.social about Jerry West's documentary on @amazonprime.bsky.social , speaking at Jerry's 3rd HOF induction, Jerry trading for Kobe/acquiring Shaq, competitive intensity stories and his complicated relationship with the Lakers tinyurl.com/3358ws7t

Lakers' Luka Dončić & Austin Reaves have been itching to play in the postseason. But with their sensitive injuries & Lakers in firm command over Rockets, the Lakers have little upside in having them return this series. For @athlonsports.bsky.social tinyurl.com/3tcu2nd4

Lakers' Marcus Smart spoke to @essentiallysports.bsky.social on staying durable after injuries, LeBron James' dunking at 41 years old, Luka Dončić/Austin Reaves' spirits during injuries & stressing to them not to rush back. tinyurl.com/mu53cccu

Lakers with a 54-51 half-time lead over the Rockets. Despite the Lakers' various trapping and doubles, Kevin Durant still with 20 points on 6-for-7 clip and 7-for-7 mark from free-throw line

Lakers with 33-26 lead over Rockets after 1st Q. Marcus Smart (14 points) and Luke Kennard (10 points) leading the way with a combined 5-for-7 from 3. Kevin Durant has 11 points on a 4-for-5 clip, but already has 2 fouls.

Lakers' Marcus Smart on LeBron James as facilitator in Game 1 vs Rockets even without Luka Dončić & Austin Reaves: "He knows when to exert the energy. But I think it speaks volume to who he is as a leader. He instills trust in his guys." @essentiallysports.bsky.social tinyurl.com/2n4eznvn

NBA Playoffs: Why Thunder have the right ingredients to defend their NBA championship. For @forbes.com tinyurl.com/mr2ztfm2

Lakers have a 50-48 halftime lead over the Rockets. Lakers have a lot of ball movement and defending Alperen Sengun well. But Rockets winning on boards & both teams are struggling with turnovers.

Bronny with the great entry pass to LeBron. LeBron with the great behind-the-back pass to Ayton. Family sharing the ball well.

Lakers with a 33-29 first-quarter lead over the Rockets. Luke Kennard is spearheading most of teh scoring (11 points). LeBron James (8 assists) and Marcus Smart (4 assists) are facilitating. But Rockets winning early rebounding battle (8-4) and pretty strong with attacking basket & shooting from 3

Five NBA assistant coaches shared with @essentiallysports.bsky.social their MVP & Rookie of the Year picks. MVP: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2), Nikola Jokić (2), Victor Wembanyama (1). ROY: Kon Knueppel (4), Cooper Flagg (1). The coaches aren't on teams w/ any candidates. tinyurl.com/muety54e

Robert Horry spoke to @thergmedia.bsky.social on why he believes the Lakers can still beat the Rockets in playoffs playoff without Luka Doncic & Austin Reaves. Horry, a Spectrum SportsNet analyst, also spoke on why he calls on Lakers to feature Deandre Ayton more tinyurl.com/ypwnf6xz

@torontoraptor.bsky.social rookie Collin Murray-Boyles spoke to @forbes.com about his growth, his outlook on making an NBA All-Rookie team, how he has dealt with a thumb injury and what drives him: "Winning as many games and as many championships as possible." tinyurl.com/mpwc5kn9