Tim Bontemps

Senior NBA writer for @espn. Prior stops: @washingtonpost, @nypost. Proud St. Bonaventure alum.

[Tim Bontemps @TimBontemps]

Here’s my official NBA Finals pick! Fired up for what’s going to be an incredible series. Can’t wait to see how it plays out. Should be a ton of fun.

https://t.co/fqCIm8BHAD

[Dave McMenamin @mcten]

Had fun looking back at this one on the occasion of the 2016 Cavs’ 10-year anniversary of their championship: the story behind the unofficial team mascot, Lil’ Kev https://t.co/GxnYNAfD7J

[Jeremy Woo @JeremyWoo]

As an exercise, combined the 2025 and 2026 drafts (and tried to remove hindsight from that process). Very subjective. Cooper Flagg at 1 but splitting hairs overall. Main takeaway...a lot of talent funneling into the league over the past two years.

https://t.co/zIfIdR5ml4

[Tim MacMahon @BannedMacMahon]

The Hoop Collective with @WindhorstESPN and @TimBontemps: Mike Breen joins to discuss the Knicks’ magical title run, major decisions coming for Clippers and Thunder https://t.co/gry2SEdEwe

[Dave McMenamin @mcten]

New story: Five big questions for the Lakers heading into free agency https://t.co/6V9BMjJ36y

[Tim MacMahon @BannedMacMahon]

The Hoop Collective with @WindhorstESPN and @TimBontemps hits on some of the biggest offseason questions: Where will Giannis land? What’s going on in Utah? Does LeBron return to LA? How can Lakers make long-term upgrades? https://t.co/PgSiIETvF3

[Shams Charania @ShamsCharania]

BREAKING: The Chicago Bulls are finalizing the hire of Portland Trail Blazers interim Tiago Splitter as the franchise's new head coach, sources tell ESPN. Splitter succeeds Billy Donovan as the Bulls' coach after stepping into the head job and excelling in Portland last season.

[Vincent Goodwill @VinceGoodwill]

Jalen Brunson, the guard who couldn't be the centerpiece of an NBA champion, is validated.

Karl Towns, considered too soft to anchor a front line, is justified.

Mike Brown, fired four times and often overlooked in his own profession, is verified. https://t.co/V93Egg4Olm

[Tim MacMahon @BannedMacMahon]

The Hoop Collective, Knicks championship edition, with @WindhorstESPN, @TimBontemps and @imanshumpert: https://t.co/laad8yzaDL

[Tim Bontemps @TimBontemps]

New ESPN story: It's been 53 long years, but the New York Knicks – after decades full of near misses and futility – have delivered to their fans, in the most remarkable way, the thing they've wanted for so long: an NBA championship.

https://t.co/R8aY4StQyH

[Michael C. Wright @mikecwright]

Just so this doesn’t get lost in the wash w/everything else.

Interesting postgame scene from a team nobody thought would be here in the first place:
https://t.co/NUjHcvOgoU

[Tim Bontemps @TimBontemps]

New ESPN story: It's been 53 long years, but the New York Knicks – after decades full of near misses and futility – have delivered to their fans, in the most remarkable way, the thing they've wanted for so long: an NBA championship.

https://t.co/R8aY4StQyH

[Tim Bontemps @TimBontemps]

From the great @StatsWilliams:

To have 45 points in a close out Finals victory all-time:

Michael Jordan, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Bob Pettit …

And, now, Jalen Brunson.

What a performance.

[Tim Bontemps @TimBontemps]

And it is a flagrant foul. Knicks will now have a chance to cut the lead to five and also keep the ball.

[Tim Bontemps @TimBontemps]

This looks like a flagrant foul on De'Aaron Fox. If that's what is called, that could be a huge mistake by Fox here late in the half.

[Tim Bontemps @TimBontemps]

This looks like a flagrant foul on De'Aaron Fox. If that's what is called, that could be a huge mistake by Fox here late in the half.

[Tim Bontemps @TimBontemps]

Never a great sign, as it was in the first quarter for the Knicks, to have more turnovers (6) than field goals (4).

[Tim Bontemps @TimBontemps]

After Mitch Johnson said he needed to make sure Victor Wembanyama got more rest in Game 5, he's already sat as much as he did in all of Game 4.

Great sign for the Spurs that they have been able to build an early lead once again while also getting him some significant rest.

[Tim Bontemps @TimBontemps]

As I've said several times in this series:

Dylan Harper is San Antonio's second best player.

[Tim Bontemps @TimBontemps]

It’s going to be quite a scene here in San Antonio tonight. Still about 45 minutes until the game starts and there’s tons of Knicks fans here. Seems like there will be more than at Game 4 in Philly.

There’s competing chants on the concourse. Should be an electric atmosphere.

[Tim MacMahon @BannedMacMahon]

The Hoop Collective’s Finals Game 5 preview with @WindhorstESPN and @TimBontemps: https://t.co/KAVXjByZlp

[Tim Bontemps @TimBontemps]

I am baffled at the reaction to this quote.

He was asked if his teammates believe they can come back, and he said everyone believes they can do it.

What else is he supposed to say - they believe they are going to lose?

People are just looking for things to be mad about.

[Tim Bontemps @TimBontemps]

Victor Wembanyama on whether his teammates believe they can come back from down 3-1:

“Everybody knows we are going to do it.”