AFL fans erupt over legend's shock appearance at NBA playoffs

AFL fans were left gobsmacked on Thursday when former Hawthorn coach Alastair Clarkson was spotted rubbing shoulders with Golden State Warriors superstar Klay Thompson at the NBA playoffs.

The NBA's official Twitter account tweeted a video of Thompson arriving at Chase Centre on a bicycle for Game 5 of the Warriors' series against the Denver Nuggets.

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But eagle-eyed Aussie fans were quick to point out that none other than Clarkson could be seen in the background having his baggage checked by security.

The AFL great could be seen alongside Thompson as they both made their way into the stadium for the crunch clash.

Clarkson has reportedly been working with Golden State coach Steve Kerr, with the pair believed to be good friends.

The former Hawthorn coach was likely attending the game as a guest of Kerr and Golden State.

AFL fans flocked to social media to point out Clarkson's surprise appearance, with the majority of comments actually about Clarkson and not Thompson.

"I'm more interested in the short bloke going through security," AFL reporter Sarah Ollie wrote.

Clarkson stepped away from coaching at the end of the 2021 season, but is widely accepted to jump straight back into the game in 2023.

Bucks and Warriors advance in NBA playoffs

Two-time MVP Steph Curry scored 30 points in his return to Golden State's starting lineup as the Warriors beat Nikola Jokic and the Nuggets 102-98 to win their first-round series 4-1.

Curry converted a three-point play with 1:33 left and scored again with 29 seconds remaining to help send the Warriors to the Western Conference semi-finals.

Jokic scored 12 of his 30 points in the final 3:46 and also finished with 19 rebounds and eight assists.

The Warriors advanced to play the winner of the Memphis-Minnesota series, with the Grizzlies up 3-2 going into Game 6 on Friday night in Minneapolis.

Curry had come off the bench in the first four games of the series after recovering from a foot injury.

Andrew Wiggins scored 12 points and Draymond Green had 11 points, six assists and three steals for the Warriors.

Green's three blocked shots moved him past Kevin Garnett for 22nd on the NBA's career postseason list.

And the defending champion Milwaukee Bucks continue to produce in the postseason even without key performers.

Giannis Antetokounmpo had 33 points and nine rebounds as his Bucks routed the Chicago Bulls 116-100 at home to clinch their series 4-1.

The No.3 seeds now face the second-seeded Boston Celtics in the Eastern Conference semi-finals.

Boston, who swept Brooklyn Nets 4-0, host Game 1 on Sunday.

After splitting the first two games, the Bucks won the last three by an average margin of 23.3 points - even without All-Star Khris Middleton who's watched on with a sprained MCL in his left knee.

Chicago played without the starting backcourt they used for the first four games because two-time All-Star Zach LaVine was in health and safety protocols and Alex Caruso was in concussion protocol.

with AAP

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