Sunaya Sapurji

Raptors have lost the benefit of the doubt, cushion in standings with poor stretch The Raptors' struggles deepened with an emphatic 117-101 loss to the New York Knicks in the quarterfinals of the NBA Cup on Tuesday.

After this stretch, the Raptors must prove themselves all over again

How good of a scorer is Jalen Brunson?

Well, after earning Clutch Player of Year last season, he’s 1 of 3 players this year to average double-figure scoring in first quarters — only Luka averages more.

“I put him in same convo as Luka and Jokic”

Story: www.nytimes.com/athletic/687...

We polled 36 executives around the NBA, asking them to rank their top five front offices.

Here are our findings: www.nytimes.com/athletic/686...

Darko Rajaković is ‘direct, honest, transparent’ — and just what Raptors need "Any time he gets mad and swears in Serbian, that s--- is so funny," Jamal Shead says of his head coach.

My feature on Darko Rajakovic's communication style. There is a method to the ... enthusiasm.

I don't like math, stats, or numbers... but this piece from Fred is SO good.

A legit case could be made that OG Anunoby and Mikal Bridges are two of the best three or four vets in the NBA to never be All-Stars.

An equally strong case could be made that, if what they’re doing holds, they both should end that this year.

My column:

www.nytimes.com/athletic/687...

On such a winter's daaaaaaaaayyy!

Picture of SSD’s iconic album The Kids Will Have Their Say, re-released by Trust Records.

“Mommy we need music to decorate the tree…”

“I got you!”

Brandon Ingram and his Raptors teammates have miles to go in their offensive partnership After Ingram started the year on a heater from the midrange, he has tailed off over the last little while.

Brandon Ingram and the Raptors have miles to go to make their offensive partnership work

Mike Brown’s willingness to collaborate was a big reason how he ended up in New York.

My story on how he does it with everyone, from players to coaches and front office.

“He might like this and that, but if it doesn’t work for us, he might sub it out.”

www.nytimes.com/athletic/686...

Existential dread warning: This could be the last time I cover a game featuring a player who is older than me.

How Chris Paul’s short-lived reunion with the LA Clippers fell apart Chris Paul returned to a Clippers team many believed could compete for a title. Instead, LA is 5-16 and Paul is no longer with the team.

An urgent call for a meeting, change of travel plans, plane delay and a late-night hoops divorce that shocked the NBA world: Inside the stunning Chris Paul exit from the Clippers, with @lawmurraythenu.bsky.social and @joevardon.bsky.social , at @theathletic.com

www.nytimes.com/athletic/686...

Sun just came up on the left coast so ICYMI @theathletic.com

The LA Clippers sent Chris Paul home in what has become an annual tradition of parting ways with a notable vet after the start of the season

www.nytimes.com/athletic/685...

Inside the Knicks’ most bizarre loss of the season The Knicks looked like the East's most dominant team, and then they looked like the East's worst team Tuesday against the Celtics.

Inside the Knicks’ most bizarre loss of the season.

“We have to make sure we’re locked in on making sure the success of the team is the No. 1 objective.”

www.nytimes.com/athletic/685...

Why the New York Knicks suddenly look like contenders again New York is figuring things while still winning. After a bumpy start to season, the Knicks are where we thought they would be.

Wrote about the Knicks entering the chat at the top of the East and the benefit of learning the hard way:

www.nytimes.com/athletic/685...

Knicks' Jalen Brunson becomes even more unguardable

Mike Brown said Jalen Brunson should be in MVP conversations.

Pleads for media to take notice.

I wrote about it a few weeks ago:

www.nytimes.com/athletic/680...

Article about Stephen Malkmus' athletic pursuits in lacrosse and soccer.

Do the Knicks need to make a move before the NBA trade deadline?

Thanks for all the Knicks questions for the mailbag.

Here’s what’s inside:

— Do they “need” to address front court depth?

— Josh Hart’s first convo with Mike Brown

— what if Shamet is out a while?

— more

www.nytimes.com/athletic/683...

Pistons, after tying franchise record with 13th straight win, want to be ‘greedier’ The Pistons have won 13 in a row twice before in franchise history. In both seasons, they won the NBA championship.

After tying the longest win streak in franchise history, the Pistons are far from content.

J.B. Bickerstaff wants Detroit “to be greedier” and never “feel full or satisfied.”

www.nytimes.com/athletic/683...

Submit a question for James Edwards’ Knicks mailbag The Knicks are a quarter of the way through the regular season with an elite offense, flimsy defense and injuries that could impact them both now and going forward. Their record is nearly identical to...

Wanted to keep it light this week with the holiday, so if you’re a subscriber, drop some Knicks mailbag questions here:

www.nytimes.com/athletic/683...

A state of the Knicks...

Got together with @JLEdwardsIII to discuss Mike Brown's first 15 games coaching the Knicks and what we made of the team's first month.

Story: www.nytimes.com/athletic/683...

Analyzing the Knicks: Mike Brown’s strategy, defensive deficiencies and more Writers Fred Katz and James L. Edwards III take a look at how the Knicks are doing 15 games into the season.

Got together with @fredkatz.bsky.social to give our thoughts on the state of the Knicks:

— What stands out most
— How concerned about the defense
— Thoughts on Mike Brown’s job so far

www.nytimes.com/athletic/683...

“Frog,” said Toad, “let us eat one very last cookie, and then we will stop.”

Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla on having fun: ‘I suck at it’ "I can make anything miserable because I don't see the joy side of it," says Mazzulla.

Joe Mazzulla has difficulty with the concept of "fun."
@byjayking.bsky.social sat down with the Celtics coach to find out why having fun is so foreign to him.

What to make of the Knicks' 3-point defense: Film breakdown

On one hand, the Knicks’ defense is doing what it’s designed to: stopping teams from getting in the paint. On the other, opposing teams are taking and making a lot of 3s against New York.

What to make of the Knicks’ defense, with clips and quotes:

www.nytimes.com/athletic/681...

'Topes win. Walk-off block for Scottie Barnes. 110-108.

27 for Ingram, 16/6/6/ for Barnes, 15/10/4 for Quickley.

24 for Knueppel and 22 for Bridges. Hornets wouldn't go away, but Raps stuck with the game. Nice win.

Collin Murray-Boyles’ first NBA road trip: Overpacking, an illness and a nap’s value Collin Murray-Boyles' first NBA trip was fraught with challenges, including battling a cold on the road.

I spoke to Collin Murray-Boyles about what it's like to go on your first real NBA road trip

Cade Cunningham becomes sixth active NBA player to get a Nike signature shoe Cunningham will join LeBron James, Kevin Durant, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Devin Booker and Ja Morant as signature Nike athletes.

A dap between Cade Cunningham and Kevin Durant confirmed it: Cade’s signature Nikes are expected to drop in the spring of 2027.

“It’s a dream come true, bro.”

www.nytimes.com/athletic/681...