The Best of the Sports Shop

Reese, Kmac, Pam and Alex discuss the Knicks’ collapse against the Atlanta Hawks after blowing a double-digit lead in Game 2, breaking down whether the Hawks and CJ McCollum’s clutch late-game shot-making can actually swing the series and the NFL Draft.

The New York Knicks suffered a tough 107-106 loss to the Atlanta Hawks last night, blowing a double-digit lead in Game 2 of their playoff series. CJ McCollum led Atlanta with 32 points and hit the go-ahead shot late, while Jalen Brunson paced New York with 29. The Knicks controlled most of the game but struggled badly in the fourth quarter, getting outscored 28-15 and shooting poorly down the stretch. A missed buzzer-beater sealed the loss, evening the series 1-1 as it shifts to Atlanta. Can the Hawks win this series?

Since it's NFL Draft week, do you believe Alabama QB Ty Simpson is a 1st round pick? Will the Washington Commanders get Jeremiah Love?

Reese, Pam and Alex discuss the Minnesota Timberwolves’ big comeback over the Denver Nuggets and whether Anthony Edwards and company can finish the job in the series, the Cleveland Cavaliers taking control against the Toronto Raptors and if anyone is really paying attention to that matchup and then turn their focus to tonight’s slate.

The Minnesota Timberwolves pulled off a strong comeback win over the Denver Nuggets last night, taking Game 2 by a score of 119-114 to even the playoff series 1-1. Anthony Edwards led the way with about 30 points and 10 rebounds, helping Minnesota erase a deficit that had grown to nearly 20 points earlier in the game. Julius Randle added a big scoring night as well, while Jamal Murray and Nikola Jokić put up strong numbers for Denver. The difference came late, as the Timberwolves dominated the fourth quarter and made key plays down the stretch to complete the comeback and steal momentum heading into the next game. Who wins this series?

The Cleveland Cavaliers picked up a win over the Toronto Raptors last night in Game 2 of their series. Donovan Mitchell led the way for Cleveland with a strong scoring performance, while Darius Garland helped control the tempo and create key looks down the stretch. For Toronto, Scottie Barnes and RJ Barrett kept the Raptors competitive with aggressive two-way play, trading baskets with the Cavaliers for much of the game. Does anyone care about this series?

Tonight’s NBA playoff slate features pivotal matchups as several series continue to develop and pressure begins to rise across the league. The Boston Celtics host the Philadelphia 76ers in a high-stakes Eastern Conference battle, out west, the Los Angeles Lakers take on the Houston Rockets in a matchup featuring LeBron James and potentially Kevin Durant. Meanwhile, the San Antonio Spurs face the Portland Trail Blazers in another key contest. Who wins tonight's games?

Reese, Pam and Alex discuss the ongoing uncertainty surrounding North Carolina Tar Heels men’s basketball as the program undergoes a major offseason reset, breaking down, the coaching staff shake-up involving Michael Malone, Kim English’s sudden reversal that left questions about what went wrong and where UNC goes next, while also shifting to the bigger NCAA eligibility conversation and what the gradual fade of the COVID-era “super senior” effect could mean for roster building and competitive balance moving forward.

North Carolina Tar Heels men's basketball IS navigating a major offseason reset as the transfer portal reshapes the roster and coaching staff under new head coach Michael Malone. Multiple players have entered the portal, part of a broader trend across college basketball, leaving UNC with significant roster turnover as it looks to rebuild with new additions and a redefined identity. Kim English was briefly expected to be part of that rebuild after accepting an assistant role, but in a surprising twist he backed out just days later and will not join the staff, creating another layer of uncertainty. With both roster movement and coaching changes happening simultaneously, UNC is in the middle of a pivotal transition period where transfer portal decisions and staff stability will play a huge role in shaping the program’s direction heading into next season. What will happen? What went wrong with English?

The NCAA has discussed eligibility rules, including fifth-year players, but no major changes have been made. Much of the current situation comes from the COVID-era waiver that gave athletes an extra year, creating a wave of “super seniors” that is still impacting roster construction. While that exception has mostly phased out, its effects remain, and although the NCAA has considered broader reforms, players can still compete in a fifth season if they are eligible. What will happen?

Reese, Pam and Alex discuss a wild night in the playoffs, from the New York Knicks collapsing late against the Atlanta Hawks to the Carolina Hurricanes grinding out a double-overtime thriller over the Ottawa Senators.

The New York Knicks suffered a tough 107-106 loss to the Atlanta Hawks last night, blowing a double-digit lead in Game 2 of their playoff series. CJ McCollum led Atlanta with 32 points and hit the go-ahead shot late, while Jalen Brunson paced New York with 29. The Knicks controlled most of the game but struggled badly in the fourth quarter, getting outscored 28-15 and shooting poorly down the stretch. A missed buzzer-beater sealed the loss, tyiing the series 1-1 as it shifts to Atlanta.

The Carolina Hurricanes picked up a dramatic 3-2 double-overtime win over the Ottawa Senators last night, taking a 2-0 lead in their first-round playoff series. Jordan Martinook played the hero, scoring the game-winner deep into the second overtime after earlier missing a penalty shot, capping off a tense, back-and-forth battle. Carolina also got goals from Logan Stankoven and Sebastian Aho, while goalie Frederik Andersen came up big with key saves to keep the game alive.

Reese, Kmac, Pam and Alex preview tonight's NBA playoff games.

The NBA Playoffs began this weekend! The 2026 NBA Playoffs opened with a strong weekend of Game 1 action that mostly saw higher seeds take control, though there were a few early surprises. Looking ahead, Game 2 action continues tonight and tomorrow with key matchups including the Boston Celtics vs. Philadelphia 76ers, New York Knicks vs. Atlanta Hawks, Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Toronto Raptors, Los Angeles Lakers vs. Houston Rockets, Denver Nuggets vs. Minnesota Timberwolves, and Orlando Magic vs. Detroit Pistons, as teams try to build momentum or bounce back and take control of their series. Who wins?

Reese, Kmac, Pam and Alex discuss whether Dirk Nowitzki being ranked No. 17 on ESPN’s all-time 76 list is too high, too low, or just right, which other players Reese believes are misranked and discuss the NBA award finalists.

Dirk Nowitzki is on the NBA 75th Anniversary Team, and in the ESPN ranking he lands at No. 17 overall on their “76 players ranked” list. Reese hates it. Is Dirk ranked, too high, too low or just right? What other players does Reese think are incorrectly ranked?

The 2025-26 NBA awards finalists are headlined by the MVP race between Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Nikola Jokić and Victor Wembanyama. Gilgeous-Alexander led the Oklahoma City Thunder to elite success, Jokić continues his all-around dominance for the Denver Nuggets, and Wembanyama’s two-way impact for the San Antonio Spurs has him in contention for both MVP and Defensive Player of the Year, where he’s joined by Chet Holmgren and Ausar Thompson.

The Rookie of the Year race between Cooper Flagg, V. J. Edgecombe, and Kon Knueppel is wide open, while Most Improved finalists Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Deni Avdija and Jalen Duren highlight player development. The remaining awards, featuring names like Anthony Edwards and Jamal Murray for Clutch Player and coaches J. B. Bickerstaff and Joe Mazzulla, underscore a league balancing established excellence with rising young talent.

Reese, Kmac, Pam and Alex discuss the biggest takeaways from the opening weekend of the NBA Playoffs, including standout performances, early series momentum shifts and which teams are already looking like true championship contenders after Game 1.

The NBA Playoffs began this weekend! The 2026 NBA Playoffs opened with a strong weekend of Game 1 action that mostly saw higher seeds take control, though there were a few early surprises. In the Western Conference, the Los Angeles Lakers opened their series with a 107-98 win over the Houston Rockets, led by LeBron James in a historic moment that also marked the first father-son playoff appearance with Bronny James. The Denver Nuggets also handled business with a Game 1 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves, while other top Western teams largely held serve and set the tone early.

In the Eastern Conference, the Boston Celtics and Philadelphia 76ers began their rivalry series in a tightly contested opener, while the New York Knicks took control late in their Game 1 win over the Atlanta Hawks. The Cleveland Cavaliers also secured a solid start against the Toronto Raptors behind balanced scoring. The biggest shock of the weekend came when the Orlando Magic upset the top-seeded Detroit Pistons on the road, never trailing in the game and immediately putting pressure on the series favorite. Did you watch? Which teams stuck out?Who looks like a real championship contender?

Reese, Kmac, Pam and Alex discuss if the Charlotte Hornets can win with LaMelo Ball.

On Friday, the Charlotte Hornets’ season came to an end in the play-in tournament against the Orlando Magic. After a dramatic win over the Miami Heat earlier in the week, Charlotte was eliminated in decisive fashion as Orlando controlled the game from the start and never looked back. The Magic won 121-90 to secure the final Eastern Conference playoff spot. The loss officially ended Charlotte’s season and sent the Magic into the playoffs. Can the Hornets win with LaMelo Ball? Can they make the second round? Can the Hornets even get a star better than Ball?

Reese, Pam and Alex discuss the NBA DPOY finalists, AJ Brown potentially being traded, the Charlotte Hornets and they preview the North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame's 2026 induction class.

Chet Holmgren, Ausar Thompson and Victor Wembanyama are the finalists for NBA Defensive Player of the Year. Who should win?

On Friday, the Charlotte Hornets’ season came to an end in the play-in tournament against the Orlando Magic. After a dramatic win over the Miami Heat earlier in the week, Charlotte was eliminated in decisive fashion as Orlando controlled the game from the start and never looked back. The Magic won 121-90 to secure the final Eastern Conference playoff spot. The loss officially ended Charlotte’s season and sent the Magic into the playoffs. Can the Hornets win with LaMelo Ball? Can they make the second round?

Many of the North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame's 2026 induction class will appear on The Sports Shop. The new members, listed alphabetically, are Chip Beck, Heather Bergsma, Louis Breeden, Leonard Hamilton, Tyler Hansbrough, Richard Huntley, John Isner, Norvell Lee, Eddie Pope, Kelvin Sampson and Jerry Winterton. The group of 11 will be enshrined during the 62nd annual induction celebration on the evening of Friday, May 1, at the Sheraton at Four Seasons Convention Center in Greensboro, starting at 5 p.m. Which of these inductees will be on the show?

Reese, Pam and Alex discuss the NBA Playoffs.

The NBA Playoffs began this weekend! The 2026 NBA Playoffs opened with a strong weekend of Game 1 action that mostly saw higher seeds take control, though there were a few early surprises. In the Western Conference, the Los Angeles Lakers opened their series with a 107-98 win over the Houston Rockets, led by LeBron James in a historic moment that also marked the first father-son playoff appearance with Bronny James. The Denver Nuggets also handled business with a Game 1 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves, while other top Western teams largely held serve and set the tone early.

In the Eastern Conference, the Boston Celtics and Philadelphia 76ers began their rivalry series in a tightly contested opener, while the New York Knicks took control late in their Game 1 win over the Atlanta Hawks. The Cleveland Cavaliers also secured a solid start against the Toronto Raptors behind balanced scoring. The biggest shock of the weekend came when the Orlando Magic upset the top-seeded Detroit Pistons on the road, never trailing in the game and immediately putting pressure on the series favorite. Did you watch?