John Denton: .@OrlandoMagic C Mo Bamba on finishing a dunk over @sixers C Joel Embiid: “I winked at (Embiid), I winked at him, and I should have told him, `Welcome to the league.'” He was referring to the dunk that Embiid got over him earlier in the summer and posted on social media channels.
The Knicks rookie’s debut included a couple highlight alley-oop jams and a heated exchange with Wizards grumpy veteran Morris, who was ejected following two technical fouls because he couldn’t get over something Robinson called him. “This stupid ass rookie was talking too much. And obviously, I didn’t like what he said,” Morris complained Monday after the Knicks beat the Wizards in overtime of their preseason opener, 124-121.
Candace Buckner: Morris was asked if he ever had any interaction with Mitchell Robinson before: “I don’t even know him. I ain’t never really seen him b4. He just checked into the game. I never even guarded him. I didn’t know there was a Mitchell on their team! I didn’t know anything about him.”
“He could have helped his team out tonight if he’d just be quiet. I didn’t say nothing to him,” said Robinson, who finished with six points and seven boards in 17 minutes. “If he would’ve just hushed and continued to play the game, but he wanted to keep going. He got out. We got the win, I kept playing.”
“Yeah, that was awesome. You don't instigate it but you don't back down,” Fizdale said. “The kid's tough. Don’t let his slim frame fool you. He's not going to back away. The kid grew up in some tough surroundings. I'm sure he got in some scuffles down there in the Bayou. That's who we are. That's the Knicks DNA. We're going to keep holding on to that. We may not necessarily totally instigate stuff but we're definitely not shying away from stuff.”
Howard laughed off whatever beef there might be at the Wizards media day podium, but when he got a chance to sit down with Chris Miller, he was more frank about what's going on between them. "I like to joke and have fun, but I don't go at other NBA players or NBA vets because I respect all of them because they came before me," Howard told Miller. "[Shaq] said something online about the whole rings situation. He got rings, I'm not in his league and all that stuff. But if that's your only way to come back at all players, then you really don't have too much to say."
"I think it's a little insecurity on his part because people call him 'Superman' and they call me 'Superman.' But if I'm an older guy and it's younger players that are being compared to me and they have that same nickname, I want to feel good about it."
Alex Kennedy: Here is Ben Simmons' response to Tristan Thompson:
Ben Axelrod: Tristan Thompson: “We’re still 4-time Eastern Conference champions, so until you take us down from that, teams ain’t got much to say. Boston, Philly, they ain’t got much to say. Boston had homecourt Game 7 and lost. Philly, you guys almost got swept. Toronto - we know that story”
Shaquille O’Neal is still not Dwight Howard‘s biggest fan. And Shaq still loves the tired “ringzzzz” argument. It all started because Shaq was watching a couple of guys roast Howard on MTV’s Wild N’ Out. Shaq liked it so much he decided to post it to Instagram. Howard took the bait and responded in the comments. He should have known better.
Def Pen Hoops: Shaq from the top rope.
Rob Perez: oh it’s a go
Rob Perez: Wiggins’ story update is likely in response to Captain Jackson going off on him and telling him he has no heart... Or was it meant for both? WHAT IS GOING ON
Stephen Jackson: Have a good yr lil one. This ain’t the smoke u won’t. God bless. Somebody @ Lil one for me. Wish u the best. #GBG #BoyStop #TruthHurts
Less than two hours after Rubio’s tweet went live, Ingles had a little bit of fun with his own tweet when he wrote “My purple jerseys sold out already?”.
That’s when things got interesting as former Los Angeles Clippers and now Detroit Pistons player Blake Griffin injected himself. Griffin has built a reputation as a funny character outside of his immense basketball talents and he tried using those skills on Ingles. His reply of “yeah Michigan is cold. Needed something to burn in my fireplace” was well received as it recorded more than 13,000 likes.
May 27, 2023 | 8:06 pm EDT Update

Bobby Manning: Malcolm Brogdon was sitting in his locker in street clothes around the time the #Celtics announced him as out. He normally warms up around this time. Between missing 2nd half in G5, sitting on the side at shootaround & not progressing too far pregame, seems like arm is that bad..
Tim Reynolds: Matthew Tkachuk, who went to school with Jayson Tatum, on who he’s rooting for tonight: “I’m rooting for my two favorite players, Jimmy Butler and Tatum. I hope they both go off tonight. … But for the whole Florida vibe, I hope this building is electric all night.”
May 27, 2023 | 7:35 pm EDT Update
Jared Weiss: Joe Mazzulla on whether Malcolm Brogdon will play tonight with his forearm soreness: “He’s gonna warm up, do his shooting time and see how he feels from there.”
Wes Goldberg: Shaquille O’Neal and Stan Van Gundy cutting it up before the game. pic.twitter.com/ZCwcP1PCvA
May 27, 2023 | 7:02 pm EDT Update

Anthony Chiang: Gabe Vincent (sprained ankle) will warm up to see if he can play, Erik Spoelstra says.
Will Guillory: Still no determination on Gabe Vincent’s status tonight, per Erik Spoelstra. Said Vincent will go thru his pregame warmup than they’ll decide. Joked that he assumes someone will tweet it before he even knows.