Fred Hoiberg has had enough

You may remember that earlier in the Bulls vs. Celtics series, Fred Hoiberg accused Isaiah Thomas of carrying the ball too much. This is a pretty rude accusation, all told, but in the grand scheme of coaches trying to get an edge from officials, it’s mostly harmless.

The Bulls lost Game 5 in Boston on Wednesday, giving the C’s three straight wins and a 3-2 series lead. That was rough enough. Then a brave Boston reporter decided to ask Hoiberg if he’d seen Isaiah carry the ball in Game 5.

Hoiberg gave a one-word response and immediately left the podium.

This postseason has been replete with epic press conference performances, from TAKE THAT FOR DATA to Russell Westbrook chanting NEXT QUESTION to Chris Paul’s befuddlement. A local dagger leading to a walk-off is pretty, pretty good, even in that heady company.

Hawks 99, Wizards 103 (WAS leads 3-2)

Bulls 97, Celtics 108 (BOS leads 3-2)

The Wizards won another close one at home. Something gives me the feeling this series is going seven. Dennis Schroder has having an invigorating postseason. This John Wall dunk literally on Mike Muscala’s face was pure art.

Here’s Michael Lee on Bradley Beal’s continued rise.

Dwyane Wade was the Bulls’ best player Wednesday ... on offense. Check out Wade completely giving up on defense, though.

You don’t get extra points for shooting the ball over the backboard, Robin Lopez.

Thursday’s schedule (all times ET):
Raptors at Bucks, 7 p.m., TNT (TOR leads 3-2)
Spurs at Grizzlies, 9:30 p.m., TNT (SAS leads 3-2)

I wrote about the Rockets’ biggest strength in the decade under Daryl Morey: they have a vision.

Woj on the potential end of the Clippers’ era that never was.

Sunshine enthusiast Zito Madu on what haters miss about Russell Westbrook.

Good news, non-Lakers: Lonzo Ball isn’t opposed to playing outside of L.A., and he’s also distancing himself from his dad’s comments about ... well, everything.

At a speaking engagement, former commissioner David Stern ripped into the Nets sitting healthy players in the finale with other teams’ playoff lives on the line.

TNT’s studio crew accurately declares Kawhi Leonard the second-best player in the world. Kawhi shrugs.

Kelsey Plum, the No. 1 pick in the WNBA draft, should probably get picked in the first round of the NFL draft due to her cannon arm.

Howard Beck on why we never hear about the Next Michael Jordan anymore.

Ernie Johnson hit Charles Barkley with a joke about his eating habits. Pretty good.

And finally: best wishes to those affected by Wednesday’s massive layoff round at ESPN, both the names we know (including Ethan Strauss, Calvin Watkins, and Justin Verrier) and those we do not. This is a dark week in sports media.