Despite the Golden State Warriors winning the first three games of the series, the absence of Stephen Curry has started to show cracks in their armor. On the surface, the scoreboard says otherwise—but tonight’s game proved that relying solely on Kevin Durant isn’t a sustainable strategy, especially as the competition stiffens. In the first three quarters, Rudy Gay managed to trouble Durant to some extent. But come the fourth quarter, the “Slim Reaper” sharpened his scythe. Durant turned up the heat and dragged the game back within two points. Yet, in crunch time, it...

The second playoff clash between the Cavaliers and the Pacers exposed more than just talent gaps—it revealed a deeper issue of team cohesion. Head coach Tyronn Lue had urged Kevin Love to ramp up his presence in the paint, hoping it would spark the Cavaliers’ stagnant offense. Surprisingly, the team’s best interior defender, Tristan Thompson, didn’t see a single minute of action. While Lue shouldn’t shoulder all the blame—Thompson’s off-court issues and declining form have clearly taken a toll—it begs the question why rookie Ante Zizic, who had shown flashes during the regular season,...

As the final whistle blew in a heart-wrenching Game 7, Shandong Hi-Speed Basketball Team’s dreams of reaching the CBA Finals were dashed. Despite their relentless fight and flashes of hope throughout the game, fate had other plans. On the sidelines, injured star Ding Yanyuhang could hardly contain his emotions, waving his arms in support and momentarily forgetting his pain. In a moment of heartbreak, it was the team’s leadership that broke the heavy silence. Club chairman Wang Zhibin entered the locker room, delivering heartfelt words of encouragement: “We saw everything. You fought hard. You...