Category: Basketball

Nearly every analyst coming into this year’s NBA finals had the Oklahoma City Thunder beating the Indiana Pacers comfortably. The first three quarters of Game 1 did very little to contradict those predictions until the final minutes, when all hell broke loose.

The reigning NBA MVP, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, looked like, well, the NBA MVP for much of the game as he led the scoring with 38 points. His Thunder team went out to an early 7-0 lead and were 57-45 up by half-time. The second half seemed to be going the same way with the Thunder 15 points up at one point in the fourth quarter.

Schedule

Best-of-seven-games series. All times US eastern time (EDT). 

Thu 5 Jun Game 1: Pacers 111, Thunder 110

Sun 8 Jun Game 2: Pacers at Thunder, 8pm

Wed 11 Jun Game 3: Thunder at Pacers, 8.30pm

Fri 13 Jun Game 4: Thunder at Pacers, 8.30pm

Mon 16 Jun Game 5: Pacers at Thunder, 8.30pm*

Thu 19 Jun Game 6: Thunder at Pacers, 8.30pm*

Sun 22 Jun Game 7: Pacers at Thunder, 8pm*

*-if necessary

How to watch

In the US, all games will air on ABC. Streaming options include ABC.com or the ABC app (with a participating TV provider login), as well as Hulu + Live TV, YouTube TV, fuboTV, DIRECTV STREAM, and Sling TV (via ESPN3 for ABC games). NBA League Pass offers replays, but live finals games are subject to blackout restrictions in the US.

In the UK, the games will be available on TNT Sports and Discovery+. As for streaming, NBA League Pass will provide live and on-demand access to all Finals games without blackout restrictions.

In Australia, the games will broadcast live on ESPN Australia. Kayo Sports and Foxtel Now will stream the games live, while NBA League Pass will offer live and on-demand access without blackout restrictions.

And then the Pacers, as they so often have in these playoffs, started to fight back. With a minute remaining they had made it a one-point game at 110-109. With a second to go it was still 110-109 and Tyrese Haliburton had a chance to steal the game for the Pacers in outrageous fashion. Just as he had against the New York Knicks in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference finals, he did not miss when it mattered. His basket put the Pacers up 111-110 and won them the game. Remarkably, the Pacers led for just 0.3 seconds – the blink between Haliburton’s shot and the buzzer.

Haliburton’s shot was the latest game-winner in an NBA finals contest since Michael Jordan’s buzzer-beater to sink the Utah Jazz in 1997, also in Game 1.

“We’ve just had to figure out how to win in so many ways all year,” said Haliburton. “We’re just a really resilient group, I’m just really proud of this group. We keep believing and we stay together. It ain’t over ‘til it’s over.”

Once again, Indiana had found a way back in these playoffs. On 29 April, they trailed Milwaukee 118-111 with 34.6 seconds left in overtime and won 119-118. On 6 May, the Pacers trailed Cleveland 119-112 with 48 seconds left and won 120-119. On 21 May, they trailed New York 121-112 with 51.1 seconds left in regulation and won 138-135 in overtime. Thursday’s comeback was the Pacers’ fifth from 15 or more points down this postseason, an NBA record.

“That’s a really good team,” Oklahoma City coach Mark Daigneault said. “Credit them for not only tonight but their run. They’ve had so many games like that that have seemed improbable. And they just play with a great spirit and they keep coming. They keep playing.”

The Pacers had staged the biggest fourth-quarter comeback in a finals game since Dallas came from 15 down to beat Miami in 2011. The coach of those Mavericks: Rick Carlisle. The coach of these Pacers: Rick Carlisle. His decisions on Thursday certainly helped. When the Pacers were 15 points down early in the fourth, Carlisle called time and subbed out all five players, seeking a spark. It worked. The Pacers outscored the Thunder 15-4 over the next 3:26 to make it 98-94 with a little over six minutes remaining. It was a foundation that would help them stage their remarkable comeback.

Haliburton’s last-gasp heroics spoiled a brilliant outing by Gilgeous-Alexander, whose 38 points were the third-most in an NBA finals debut behind only Allen Iverson (48 in 2001) and George Mikan (42 in 1949).

Game 2 of the best-of-seven series is on Sunday night in Oklahoma City. Both teams may just about have recovered by then.

“Man, basketball’s fun,” Haliburton said, reflecting on the end of the game.

It was hard to disagree.

Caitlin Clark, NBA fans react to Pacers stunning Thunder in NBA Finals Game 1 originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

The Indiana Pacers did it again.

Now known for their late comebacks and never-say-die attitude, the Pacers pulled off yet another incredible play to steal Game 1 of the NBA Finals at the Oklahoma City Thunder Thursday.

After Shai Gilgeous Alexander failed to score the dagger shot in the closing seconds, the Pacers pushed the ball up in the dying moments.

When Haliburton got the ball, he took it just inside the arc and nailed his pull-up jumper with 0.3 seconds on the clock.

The Thunder had a chance at a last-second inbounds play, but it deflected away from the rim.

Haliburton finished the game with just 14 points on 6 of 13 shooting, but added 10 rebounds, six assists and a block in 39 minutes. Pascal Siakam led Indiana with 19 points in a balanced team effort, while Gilgeous-Alexander, the league MVP, anchored the Thunder with 38 points. The next highest-scoring teammate had 17 points.

After Haliburton’s shot, the NBA world couldn’t help but feel several different emotions. Here are some of the best reactions to Haliburton’s iconic shot:

Game 2 in Oklahoma City is set for Sunday, June 8 at 8 p.m. ET, 5 p.m. PT.

Tyrese Haliburton hits game winner, Pacers steal NBA Finals Game 1 vs. Thunder originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

Welcome to the NBA Finals, Tyrese Haliburton.

The Indiana Pacers stunned the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 1 Thursday, winning at the death 111-110 in a game they trailed for all but three-tenths of a second.

After Shai Gilgeous-Alexander failed to put the game to bed, the Pacers flew down the court and Haliburton took control. With 0.3 seconds remaining, Haliburton’s pull-up jumper hit all net.

Alex Caruso had a late inbounds throw for a last-gasp chance, but it deflected away from the rim.

Oklahoma City held several double-digit leads throughout the game, going as high as 15 at one point. Indiana brought it down to six in the closing seconds of the third quarter before Gilgeous-Alexander drilled a three to push it back to nine.

But just when Oklahoma City looked to be closing out a solid home opener in the fourth, Indiana turned on the jets with a late run and the Thunder unable to buy a bucket.

Gilgeous-Alexander led the Thunder with 38 points on 14 of 30 shooting. Jalen Williams added 17, but struggled with 6 of 19 shooting. Lu Dort brought strong two-way presence with 15 points on 5 of 10 scoring to go with four steals and two blocks, while Alex Caruso added 11 points off the bench and his usual defensive grit.

But the Pacers, when it mattered most, scored the key buckets, even without one dominant scorer. All five starters hit double figures, with Pascal Siakam’s 19 leading the way. Obi Toppin came off the bench for 17 points on 6 of 9 shooting, the second best point total on the team.

Haliburton had just 14 points on 6 of 13 shooting, but the one basket at the end made the difference. He also recorded 10 rebounds, six assists and a block.

Indiana has seen multiple key baskets from Haliburton throughout its run to the championship series. Haliburton delivered game winners against the No. 5 Milwaukee Bucks, No. 1 Cleveland Cavaliers and No. 3 New York Knicks.

With a game winner already off the checklist for the NBA Finals, what transpires next for both franchises seeking their first ever title will be highly intriguing.

Game 2 is set for Sunday, June 8 at 8 p.m. ET, 5 p.m. PT.

Tyrese Haliburton hits game winner, Pacers steal NBA Finals Game 1 vs. Thunder originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston

Welcome to the NBA Finals, Tyrese Haliburton.

The Indiana Pacers stunned the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 1 Thursday, winning at the death 111-110 in a game they trailed for all but three-tenths of a second.

After Shai Gilgeous-Alexander failed to put the game to bed, the Pacers flew down the court and Haliburton took control. With 0.3 seconds remaining, Haliburton’s pull-up jumper hit all net.

Alex Caruso had a late inbounds throw for a last-gasp chance, but it deflected away from the rim.

Oklahoma City held several double-digit leads throughout the game, going as high as 15 at one point. Indiana brought it down to six in the closing seconds of the third quarter before Gilgeous-Alexander drilled a three to push it back to nine.

But just when Oklahoma City looked to be closing out a solid home opener in the fourth, Indiana turned on the jets with a late run and the Thunder unable to buy a bucket.

Gilgeous-Alexander led the Thunder with 38 points on 14 of 30 shooting. Jalen Williams added 17, but struggled with 6 of 19 shooting. Lu Dort brought strong two-way presence with 15 points on 5 of 10 scoring to go with four steals and two blocks, while Alex Caruso added 11 points off the bench and his usual defensive grit.

But the Pacers, when it mattered most, scored the key buckets, even without one dominant scorer. All five starters hit double figures, with Pascal Siakam’s 19 leading the way. Obi Toppin came off the bench for 17 points on 6 of 9 shooting, the second best point total on the team.

Haliburton had just 14 points on 6 of 13 shooting, but the one basket at the end made the difference. He also recorded 10 rebounds, six assists and a block.

Indiana has seen multiple key baskets from Haliburton throughout its run to the championship series. Haliburton delivered game winners against the No. 5 Milwaukee Bucks, No. 1 Cleveland Cavaliers and No. 3 New York Knicks.

With a game winner already off the checklist for the NBA Finals, what transpires next for both franchises seeking their first ever title will be highly intriguing.

Game 2 is set for Sunday, June 8 at 8 p.m. ET, 5 p.m. PT.

Thunder's Jalen Williams matches NBA legend Bill Walton for remarkable feat originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston

Oklahoma City Thunder star Jalen Williams made history by stepping onto the court in the NBA Finals on Thursday.

The league announced that the 24-year-old forward became the first player in his third season or earlier to be an All-Star, an All-NBA Team selection and an All-Defensive Team selection and to play in the NBA Finals in the same season since Hall of Famer Bill Walton in 1976-1977.

Williams was in the starting lineup for Game 1 of the Finals against the Indiana Pacers on Thursday to complete what has been a breakout season for the No. 12 pick in the 2022 draft.

He averaged 21.6 points, 5.3 rebounds and 5.1 assists this season while earning his first All-Star selection. After the season he was named Third-Team All-NBA and All-Defensive Second Team, making both for the first time.

By taking the court in Game 1 of the Finals on Thursday against the Indiana Pacers, Williams completed an NBA accolade checklist that had not been done in nearly five decades.

Walton, the No. 1 pick in the 1974 draft by the Portland Trail Blazers, finished his third season with averages of 18.6 points and a league-leading 14.4 rebounds and 3.2 blocks per game.

He finished second in MVP voting behind the Los Angeles Lakers’ Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, but made Second-Team All-NBA and All-Defensive First-Team. Walton then led the Trail Blazers to their first and only NBA championship after defeating the Philadelphia 76ers in six games.

Williams and the Thunder need four more victories to check off that final box, which would give Oklahoma City its first NBA championship, and be the franchise’s first title since winning as the Seattle SuperSonics in 1979.

Who is Jalen Williams?

Williams is a forward for the NBA’s Oklahoma City Thunder.

How old is Jalen Williams?

Williams is 24-years-old. He was born on April 14, 2001.  

Where is Jalen Williams from?

Williams was born in Denver, Colorado. He attended high school in Arizona.

Where did Jalen Williams go to college?

Williams played three seasons at Santa Clara in California.

When was Jalen Williams drafted?

Williams was the No. 12 pick in the 2022 NBA Draft by the Thunder.

Thunder's Jalen Williams matches NBA legend Bill Walton for remarkable feat originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

Oklahoma City Thunder star Jalen Williams made history by stepping onto the court in the NBA Finals on Thursday.

The league announced that the 24-year-old forward became the first player in his third season or earlier to be an All-Star, an All-NBA Team selection and an All-Defensive Team selection and to play in the NBA Finals in the same season since Hall of Famer Bill Walton in 1976-1977.

Williams was in the starting lineup for Game 1 of the Finals against the Indiana Pacers on Thursday to complete what has been a breakout season for the No. 12 pick in the 2022 draft.

He averaged 21.6 points, 5.3 rebounds and 5.1 assists this season while earning his first All-Star selection. After the season he was named Third-Team All-NBA and All-Defensive Second Team, making both for the first time.

By taking the court in Game 1 of the Finals on Thursday against the Indiana Pacers, Williams completed an NBA accolade checklist that had not been done in nearly five decades.

Walton, the No. 1 pick in the 1974 draft by the Portland Trail Blazers, finished his third season with averages of 18.6 points and a league-leading 14.4 rebounds and 3.2 blocks per game.

He finished second in MVP voting behind the Los Angeles Lakers’ Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, but made Second-Team All-NBA and All-Defensive First-Team. Walton then led the Trail Blazers to their first and only NBA championship after defeating the Philadelphia 76ers in six games.

Williams and the Thunder need four more victories to check off that final box, which would give Oklahoma City its first NBA championship, and be the franchise’s first title since winning as the Seattle SuperSonics in 1979.

Who is Jalen Williams?

Williams is a forward for the NBA’s Oklahoma City Thunder.

How old is Jalen Williams?

Williams is 24-years-old. He was born on April 14, 2001.  

Where is Jalen Williams from?

Williams was born in Denver, Colorado. He attended high school in Arizona.

Where did Jalen Williams go to college?

Williams played three seasons at Santa Clara in California.

When was Jalen Williams drafted?

Williams was the No. 12 pick in the 2022 NBA Draft by the Thunder.

The Knicks' 2024-25 season ultimately ended in disappointment, with a six-game series loss to the Indiana Pacers in the Eastern Conference Finals, but the team also won 51 games and proved to be a legit championship contender.

And it sounds like they nearly added another superstar in the process.

According to ESPN's Shams Charania, the Knicks made an offer to the Phoenix Suns to try to acquireKevin Durantat the trade deadline.

"On Kevin Durant, I will say this: There was some mutual interest between Kevin Durant and the Knicks at the trade deadline. The Knicks made an offer for Kevin Durant at the NBA trade deadline," Charania said on Thursday.

SNY NBA Insider Ian Begley recently noted that he believes it’s unlikely that the Knicks would ultimately pull the trigger on a trade for Durant this offseason.

Durant, a 15-time All-Star, averaged 26.6 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 4.2 assists with the Suns in 62 games last season, before an ankle injury ended his season.

In 17 career seasons, Durant has averaged 27.2 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 4.4 assists while shooting 39.0 percent from three-point range. A four-time scoring champion, Durant is eighth on the all-time scoring list with 30,571 career points.

Tyrese Haliburton hits game winner, Pacers steal NBA Finals Game 1 vs. Thunder originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

Welcome to the NBA Finals, Tyrese Haliburton.

The Indiana Pacers stunned the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 1 Thursday, winning at the death 111-110 in a game they trailed for all but three-tenths of a second.

After Shai Gilgeous-Alexander failed to put the game to bed, the Pacers flew down the court and Haliburton took control. With 0.3 seconds remaining, Haliburton’s pull-up jumper hit all net.

Alex Caruso had a late inbounds throw for a last-gasp chance, but it deflected away from the rim.

Oklahoma City held several double-digit leads throughout the game, going as high as 15 at one point. Indiana brought it down to six in the closing seconds of the third quarter before Gilgeous-Alexander drilled a three to push it back to nine.

But just when Oklahoma City looked to be closing out a solid home opener in the fourth, Indiana turned on the jets with a late run and the Thunder unable to buy a bucket.

Gilgeous-Alexander led the Thunder with 38 points on 14 of 30 shooting. Jalen Williams added 17, but struggled with 6 of 19 shooting. Lu Dort brought strong two-way presence with 15 points on 5 of 10 scoring to go with four steals and two blocks, while Alex Caruso added 11 points off the bench and his usual defensive grit.

But the Pacers, when it mattered most, scored the key buckets, even without one dominant scorer. All five starters hit double figures, with Pascal Siakam’s 19 leading the way. Obi Toppin came off the bench for 17 points on 6 of 9 shooting, the second best point total on the team.

Haliburton had just 14 points on 6 of 13 shooting, but the one basket at the end made the difference. He also recorded 10 rebounds, six assists and a block.

Indiana has seen multiple key baskets from Haliburton throughout its run to the championship series. Haliburton delivered game winners against the No. 5 Milwaukee Bucks, No. 1 Cleveland Cavaliers and No. 3 New York Knicks.

With a game winner already off the checklist for the NBA Finals, what transpires next for both franchises seeking their first ever title will be highly intriguing.

Game 2 is set for Sunday, June 8 at 8 p.m. ET, 5 p.m. PT.

James Dolan seems to have the same methods regarding how he handles head coaches for both the New York Rangers and New York Knicks. 

He has little patience and if he feels the team is not performing to expectation, he has no problem firing the head coach. 

That’s been especially evident with the Rangers as the team has fired three coaches since 2021. 

Peter Laviolette Reportedly Eager To Prove Rangers' Collapse Was Not His Fault Peter Laviolette reportedly still has the itch to coach. 

Both Gerard Gallant and Peter Laviolette were fired just one year removed from reaching the Eastern Conference Final and both of them only lasted two seasons with the Blueshirts. 

The Knicks just shocked the NBA world by firing Tom Thibodeau after he helped lead the team to their first conference finals appearance since 2000 and really propelled the Knicks out of basketball purgatory. 

However in both the Rangers and Knicks’ case, they possess a lot of talent and Dolan seems to believe that in order to unleash their full potential, a different voice is necessary.  

The two men on the management side running the show, Chris Drury and Leon Rose, were not blamed for their team’s failure, but instead, Dolan chose to use his coaches as scapegoats, a trend that these Dolan-runned teams tend to follow. 

It’s unclear if Dolan was the driving force in any of these coaching firings. He’s the owner though and it’s Dolan who makes the final decision at the end of the day. 

Now, we’ll have to see if Dolan’s big gambles will pay dividends or backfire on him and his respective organizations.

Thunder's Jalen Williams matches NBA legend Bill Walton for remarkable feat originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

Oklahoma City Thunder star Jalen Williams made history by stepping onto the court in the NBA Finals on Thursday.

The league announced that the 24-year-old forward became the first player in his third season or earlier to be an All-Star, an All-NBA Team selection and an All-Defensive Team selection and to play in the NBA Finals in the same season since Hall of Famer Bill Walton in 1976-1977.

Williams was in the starting lineup for Game 1 of the Finals against the Indiana Pacers on Thursday to complete what has been a breakout season for the No. 12 pick in the 2022 draft.

He averaged 21.6 points, 5.3 rebounds and 5.1 assists this season while earning his first All-Star selection. After the season he was named Third-Team All-NBA and All-Defensive Second Team, making both for the first time.

By taking the court in Game 1 of the Finals on Thursday against the Indiana Pacers, Williams completed an NBA accolade checklist that had not been done in nearly five decades.

Walton, the No. 1 pick in the 1974 draft by the Portland Trail Blazers, finished his third season with averages of 18.6 points and a league-leading 14.4 rebounds and 3.2 blocks per game.

He finished second in MVP voting behind the Los Angeles Lakers’ Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, but made Second-Team All-NBA and All-Defensive First-Team. Walton then led the Trail Blazers to their first and only NBA championship after defeating the Philadelphia 76ers in six games.

Williams and the Thunder need four more victories to check off that final box, which would give Oklahoma City its first NBA championship, and be the franchise’s first title since winning as the Seattle SuperSonics in 1979.

Who is Jalen Williams?

Williams is a forward for the NBA’s Oklahoma City Thunder.

How old is Jalen Williams?

Williams is 24-years-old. He was born on April 14, 2001.  

Where is Jalen Williams from?

Williams was born in Denver, Colorado. He attended high school in Arizona.

Where did Jalen Williams go to college?

Williams played three seasons at Santa Clara in California.

When was Jalen Williams drafted?

Williams was the No. 12 pick in the 2022 NBA Draft by the Thunder.

Celtics draft fits: Can Ryan Kalkbrenner be the next Luke Kornet? originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston

The 2025 NBA Draft is shaping up to be pivotal for the Boston Celtics as they begin an offseason of transition.

Celtics president of basketball operations Brad Stevens will aim to get the organization under the second apron of the luxury tax. He’ll have to shed roughly $20 million in salary to get below that threshold, which means at least one rotational player from the championship core will be shipped out.

Boston could find replacements for its departing players in the draft, during which it owns the No. 28 overall pick in the first round and the No. 32 pick in the second round. A trade up the draft board remains a possibility, but promising talent can still be found where the Celtics are currently slotted.

As of now, it appears the C’s will prioritize big men in the 2025 draft. With Al Horford and Luke Kornet hitting free agency, plus Kristaps Porzingis being a prime trade candidate entering the final year of his contract, Boston’s frontcourt is razor thin heading into the summer.

Perhaps Creighton’s standout center Ryan Kalkbrenner can solve that problem. The 7-footer projects as a seamless fit for the Celtics and could fall to them at No. 28 or No. 32.

Learn more about Kalkbrenner and his fit with the C’s below:

Ryan Kalkbrenner’s bio

• Position: Center
• Height: 7-foot-1
• Weight: 252 pounds
• Birthdate: Jan. 17, 2002
• Birthplace: Florissant, Missouri
• College: Creighton

Ryan Kalkbrenner’s collegiate stats

• 2020-21: 5.9 points per game, 3.5 rebounds per game, 1.2 blocks per game, 64.5 field goal percentage (31 games)
• 2021-22: 13.1 ppg, 7.7 rpg, 2.6 bpg, 64.6 field goal percentage (34 games)
• 2022-23: 15.9 ppg, 6.1 rpg, 2.1 bpg, 69.5 field goal percentage (34 games)
• 2023-24: 17.3 ppg, 7.6 rpg, 3.1 bpg, 64.6 field goal percentage (35 games)
• 2024-25: 19.2 ppg, 8.7 rpg, 2.7 bpg, 65.3 field goal percentage (35 games)
• Career: 14.5 ppg, 6.8 rpg, 2.4 bpg, 65.8 field goal percentage (169 games)

Ryan Kalkbrenner’s collegiate accolades

• Second-team All-American: USBWA, NABC (2025)
• Third-team All-American: Associated Press, Sporting News (2025)
• Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Award (2025)
• Naismith Defensive Player of the Year (2025)
• NABC Defensive Player of the Year (2025)
• Big East Defensive Player of the Year (2022–2025)
• First-team All-Big East (2023, 2025)
• Second-team All-Big East (2024)

Ryan Kalkbrenner’s highlights

Why Ryan Kalkbrenner fits with Celtics

With big men Al Horford and Luke Kornet about to become unrestricted free agents, the Celtics will enter the 2025 draft in need of frontcourt reinforcements. NBC Sports Boston’s Celtics insider Chris Forsberg sees Kalkbrenner as a potential Kornet replacement.

“Look, we’re not saying he’d be everything Luke Kornet is to the Celtics, but where Kalkbrenner could find a fit with this team is in some of the roles that Kornet has filled through the years,” Forsberg said.

“Kalkbrenner could set screens for Jayson Tatum when he returns from his Achilles injury, finish lobs off the pick and roll. He’s a four-time Big East Defensive Player of the Year, and he has a decent 3-point shot. Not Al Horford-level, but a solid 34 percent from 3 in college.”

It wouldn’t be shocking to see Kalkbrenner selected in the top 20. But if he falls to Boston at No. 28 or No. 32, Celtics president of basketball operations Brad Stevens will be licking his chops at the opportunity to draft a center whose skill set is tailor-made for the C’s style of play.