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Before the start of the 2025-26 NBA season, the league was wrapped up in multiple controversies. For one, Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier and Portland Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups were among those arrested for alleged involvement in gambling schemes. But in September, reporting from "Pablo Torre Finds Out" also revealed another scandal: potential cap circumvention by the Los Angeles Clippers involving Kawhi Leonard. Pablo Torre, a journalist and podcaster also previously known for his time at ESPN, revealed the details of the potential cap circumvention involving the company Aspiration — and now, the team at "Pablo Torre Finds Out" is being rewarded for that story with the most prestigious honor in journalism, a Pulitzer Prize.
Expect more of NBC’s “On The Bench” innovation for NBA games going forward. Reflecting on the network’s first season back in the NBA business, NBC Sports executive producer Sam Flood touted many highlights Wednesday – including bringing the voices of Michael Jordan, Snoop Dogg, Caitlin Clark and Lenny Kravitz to some broadcasts, plus finding ways to combine the past and the present. But the big win, in Flood’s eyes, might have been how putting analysts on team benches worked out so well – probably better than many imagined.
“We’d love to do more ‘On The Bench’ games. We think that is something that has redefined to a degree how you can consume a basketball game in the NBA,” Flood said in an interview with The Associated Press. “So, we want to lean into that a little bit more. We can see adding a few more games of it.”
Warriors F Draymond Green will be making three upcoming appearances on “Inside the NBA” on ESPN, filling in for Kenny Smith starting on Wednesday. Green, who is repped on the media side by WIN Sports’ Josh Pyatt, will be doing so as a TNT employee, similar to the other members of the show. His other appearances for the postseason will come later this month, including during the conference finals.
Joey Linn: It’s disappointing to see the way some people are talking about Bones Hyland. He’s a very confident player, and probably could have handled a couple situations in his career differently, but he’s also misunderstood. I covered him for two seasons in LA, and he’s one of the hardest working players I’ve seen up-close. Also just a really kind person. Despite being out of the Clippers rotation, he was regularly the last player still working out after practice. Kawhi Leonard, James Harden, and Russell Westbrook were some of the vets who loved Bones and spoke highly of him. Seeing some really misinformed character attacks on a guy who’s generally well-liked around the NBA.
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With DAZN in heavy pursuit of NBA and NHL franchises -- and looking to reverse the perception of being an outsider in the U.S. -- the London-based streaming service has acquired OTT platform ViewLift in a merger that could bolster its position with teams and leagues. Industry sources said the sales price was roughly $100M and that the deal should close by the end of June. In the meantime, both DAZN and ViewLift will continue their pitches to the 20 teams (13 NBA, seven NHL) that just exited Main Street Sports Group and are looking for 2026-27 local broadcast solutions. Time is perhaps also of the essence. Many of those teams seem interested in formalizing deals before the May advertising upfronts or soon after, only magnifying the gravity of the DAZN-ViewLift arrangement.
League sources tell The Stein Line that ESPN's top executives have been lobbying Steve Kerr aggressively to try to convince him to return to the world of NBA broadcasting, but the Warriors are expected to meet with Kerr as early as Monday to resume discussions about his status. I'm told Golden State has been operating internally in recent days as though it is more likely than not that a common ground can be found with the 60-year-old on a new deal that would keep him in place coaching Stephen Curry.
As one would reasonably expect, NBC Sports will use its Triple Crown horse races as lead-ins for NBA playoff coverage this year. NBC Sports EP Sam Flood confirmed in a Tuesday conference call that NBC plans to carry NBA playoff games in the windows immediately following horse racing’s Kentucky Derby and potentially the Preakness Stakes. The Derby coincides with the final weekend of the opening round and the Preakness with the final weekend of the conference semifinals, and the NBA has traditionally moved up subsequent rounds to ensure a game is available for a broadcast network window.
Contractually, NBC is allowed to put as much as half of its early round inventory on Peacock, but there are no indications either way as to how many games will be set aside for the streaming service this season. All games that air primarily on Peacock will be simulcast on NBCSN.
Tom Orsborn: Per NBA: The San Antonio vs. DEN-MIN series will be played on May 4, 6, 8, 10, 12*, 15*, 17*.
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Eric Nehm: The Bucks have made the hiring of Taylor Jenkins official. The introductory press conference will be next Wednesday at 2 p.m. at the Milwaukee Art Museum. Here is the press release:
Vic Lombardi, one of the hosts on Altitude Sports Radio in Denver, says he plans to say something to Dane Moore if he sees him at Ball Arena on Monday night. Lombardi, along with radio partners Marc Moser and Brett Kane, ripped on Minnesota sports fans during a segment on Monday as they discussed Jaden McDaniels stirring the pot with his comments and play so far in the series. Here's how the trio talked about Minnesota fans, and Moore, on Monday. Lombardi: These Minnesota people are freaks. Moser: They really are. Lombardi: They don't see the sun. Moser: You're right. They are freaks. Lombardi: They're freaks. Sorry. How about the guy who called out Nate (Kreckman) and Andy (Lindahl)? Kane: That was some loud stuff. Lombardi: He's supposed to be professional. Kane: So that guy, who does he work for? Lombardi: I don't know. I hope I see him tonight because I will tell him to his face. Moser: It's just some random dude, right? Some media dude or what is he? Lombardi: Blogger. Moser: Oh, he's a blogger.
Tyrese Haliburton: “Who’s got a bigger name? Me or him?”
“Who’s got a bigger name? Me or him?” https://t.co/9FDdmuxpR4 pic.twitter.com/lRNwVHDa9v
— Tyrese Haliburton (@Hali) April 27, 2026