You know whose reputation got ruined tonight? Scott "The Series Extender" Foster.

US leads their World Cup opener, 3-0, at the half... That should be good enough. They're not playing the Knicks.

The Sultan of Stat knows no offseason. #SultanGonnaSultan

The Hanson Brothers approve this message. ⬇️

The NBA emphasized freedom of movement several years ago, but that seems to have largely gone away in playoffs. GM tells me, "I like more physicality, but now they're just grabbing guys." Said another, "You know it's gone too far when they're letting things go that would be penalties in hockey."

No one STOPS Jalen Brunson, but Dylan Harper is San Antonio's best-bet defensive response because, more than others, he generally stays down and maintains poise through Brunson's series of up-fakes. ... Incredible stuff from anyone, let alone a rookie.

How cool is it that Clyde was able to find food that matches his outfit? ... Stylin' and profilin', indeed.

Was working at the press table as Dontae was checking into a game for the Celtics. Ref Joey Crawford had pretty much just seen Jones sitting at the end of the Knicks bench in street clothes. The inimitable Joey looks over and says, "Dontae, you play? I thought you were a male model." Fkng legend.

Earned.

I know there are differences in their games, but SGA still giving off serious Alex English vibes when he goes mid-range. #smoooth

Soccer announcers not afraid to be critical of players -- or anything that offends their own sensibilities. Heading to penalty shootout: "Two hours of futbol is not going to settle it. What will settle the outcome of the Champions League final is a county fair sideshow." Sweet.

While the Giannis Antetokounmpo situation remains fluid, a league source stated flatly there have been no direct talks between the Bucks and Boston. If he does not stay with Milwaukee, it's increasingly likely this could wind up being solved with a deal involving multiple teams.

Celtics' Joe Mazzulla voted Coach of the Year. ... In a side note, four voters left Mazzulla of their ballot, while six did the same to runner-up JB Bickerstaff.

Who does Victor Wembanyama think he is, Payton Pritchard?

Iman Shumpert was good when he started doing commentary on ESPN a few months ago. Iman Shumpert has gotten GREAT in a hurry.

The Sultan of Stat delivering even on his downtime. ⬇️ #SultanGonnaSultan

Overtime in Buffalo. Double-overtime in Oklahoma City. Sports, man...

Big TV night with Spurs-Thunder Game 1 and Canadiens-Sabres Game 7. With all due respect to Randy Orton, the three most exciting letters in sports entertainment are D-V-R...

According to the NBA's Last Two Minutes Report, the play at the end of Cavs-Pistons G5 regulation was a correct non-call. #dontshootthemessenger

Results of the Players Association's referee survey. ... As noted, the names in each category are listed alphabetically.

Tonight could be LeBron's last game as a Laker, but the 3-0 deficit to OKC has killed demand. TickPick reports current get-in price for G4 is $97 -- 57% drop from $222 at start of series. Average price is $377, down 31% from $550 at start. People out there still love LA... but not LA's chances.

So after all the extended series and pearl-clutching and roller coaster whiplash of hot takes, the only higher seeds to lose in the first round were the Nuggets and Celtics...

Conference semifinal schedules are set:

Because of the Celtics' Game 7 loss, the Sultan of Stat doesn't have to sultan beyond the first round. Yet he's still a champion. How is that possible? Math, my friends, advanced math. @dicklipe.bsky.social delivers, as always, with the noteage you need to know. ⬇️

Celtics had 19 assists on 37 made field goals in Game 7. They scored two points in the final 3:49 after getting within a point (a meaningless Pritchard layup with 10 seconds left). On their own floor, they trailed by as many as 18 and led by 1. The playoffs are a different game.

Hugo Gonzalez didn't play in 6 of the last 10 games. In 3 of the 4 he did get in, he played 1:01, 2:48 and 1:59 -- all mop-up stuff in this series. ... In potentially related news, he's missed all three of his treys in 13 minutes so far. Celtics trail Philly, 88-75, after 3.

Celtics 7 for 23 on 3-pointers 2:21 into the second half. Taking that many isn't necessarily problematic, BUT it's also true that most of the best treys come after paint touches. In other words, cutting and ball movement.

A minute into the second quarter the Celtics have used 10 players. ... And none of them is named Nikola Vucevic.

So what you're trying to say is the Sixers won't be prepared for this...

Just emailed from the league:

After Thursday's loss in Philadelphia, the Sultan of Stat scrambled to come up with noteage for a Game 7 few expected. The Celtics needed to win a home game Tuesday to get a playoff rest. Now they need to win a home game to avoid being eliminated. Dick Lipe with the details. ⬇️

Said all year when asked about the Celtics: They've proven they're regular-season good. Question is whether they'll be playoff good when an opponent can truly lock in and prepare for them. They still can be, but have to play harder on defense and stay the passing/cutting course on offense.

Magic City Night was canceled. Tragic City Night is ON.

Celtics lead 76ers, 23-20 after one quarter. Jayson Tatum has 9 points and 9 (yes, 9) rebounds.

Hawks, apparently under the impression this was a road game, are absent from their arena. (Scientists and mathematicians meeting now to figure out where the hell the 19 points came from...)

From the league: A number of possibilities Saturday for Celtics-Sixers Game 7 if Philly wins tonight (including, believe it or not, 4 pm on Prime). All depends on what other games are necessary. But here are the 2nd-round dates for this section of the Eastern Conference bracket ⬇️

In a world of increasing hyperbole, Shaq's comments on Victor Wembanyama hit with calm precision: "I think Wemby is the first perfect big man that's ever been created... He can shoot, (hit) free throws, play defense, play offense, is a great team player... He's a joy to watch." 🎯

Six first round series going to a Game 6... Three on Prime, one on Peacock, two on ESPN.

Six first round series going to a Game 6... Three on Prime, one on Peacock, two on ESPN.

Thursday night's schedule:

The Sultan of Stat was looking forward to a night off Thursday, fully expecting the Celtics to close out Philly in Game 5. But the C's took the 4th quarter off, so now the Sultan has to work a Game 6. Dick Lipe has the gory but interesting details you'll be talking about all day. ⬇️

Celtics up, 23-21, after one ... while going 1-10 on 3-pointers and committing the game's only three turnovers.

If anyone sees the Celtics and Sixers, tell them to get to the Garden immediately. There's a bunch of imposters out here embarrassing their uniforms.

From the Celtics:

To those who reached into the recesses of their brain and came up with James Silas, congratulations. Those who used Google then purported to KNOW the answer, please report to the penalty box...

It wouldn't have made a difference with the way the Celtics were playing, but Maxey took just three shots in the first half of Game 4 -- and by that point the Celts had the Sixers in a hammerlock. Any hope Philly has in the next few years has to start with this guy.

Updated schedule for Wednesday: * if necessary