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And with that, an era ends: ‘Thanks for watching us. It's the NBA on TNT'

And with that, an era ends: ‘Thanks for watching us. It's the NBA on TNT' originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston

Ernie Johnson could barely get the words out.

The run of “Inside the NBA” on TNT came to an end on Saturday night, after nearly four decades as a fixture of the league. The show will move to ESPN and ABC next season — and keep Johnson, Shaquille O’Neal, Kenny Smith and Charles Barkley together, still doing most shows from Atlanta — but the final TNT sign-off was an emotional one.

“I’m proud to say for the last time, ‘Thanks for watching us. It’s the NBA on TNT,'” Johnson said, before turning his back to the camera, placing his microphone on the desk and getting up from that set for the final time.

NBA games will not be airing on TNT starting next season when the league’s new television package kicks in — an 11-year media rights deal worth at least $76 billion, one that keeps games on ABC and ESPN, brings the league back to NBC and starts a new relationship with Amazon Prime Video.

ABC will broadcast the NBA Finals, meaning the end of the Eastern Conference finals between Indiana and New York was the end of TNT’s run. Turner Sports first acquired an NBA package in 1984 and games were on TNT since the network launched in 1988.

“Even though the name changes, the engine is still the same,” O’Neal said during the final broadcast. “And to that new network we’re coming to, we’re not coming to (expletive) around. … We’re taking over, OK? I love you guys and I appreciate you guys.”

The moment was not lost on Indiana coach Rick Carlisle. His team had just clinched a spot in the NBA Finals by beating New York, and when his brief interview with Johnson during the trophy ceremony was over, Carlisle grabbed the microphone out of the host’s hands.

“Congratulations to TNT on a fabulous, unbelievable run that’s coming to an end,” Carlisle said in the unprompted tribute. “We’re all very sad about that.”

The names of countless past and current broadcasters and analysts were included in the many tributes offered on-air after the game, including Doug Collins, Hubie Brown, Dick Stockton, Cheryl Miller, Danny Ainge, John Thompson, Steve Kerr, Mike Fratello, Marv Albert, Brian Anderson, Chris Webber, Candace Parker and Craig Sager.

“Our hearts are full of gratitude,” TNT’s Kevin Harlan said on-air, speaking to the viewers. “Not sadness, but gratitude and happiness for what has been. It has been an honor. It has been a privilege. And I hope you all have enjoyed it as much as we have.”

Harlan had the play-by-play call for the final game, with Reggie Miller, Stan Van Gundy and Allie LaForce on the broadcast as well.

“Think about my life. I’m very fortunate,” Miller said. “I’ve only known two things: 18 years with one franchise in this building with the Indiana Pacers, and 19 years with Turner.”

Many members of the TNT production crew have gotten jobs with NBC and Amazon, Johnson said, because of their exemplary work to this point. “Best production crew in the business, I might add,” Johnson said.

And when it turned back to the “Inside the NBA” crew for one last time on TNT, the emotions were clear.

“This has just been a magnificent ride,” Smith said.

Barkley talked about how he was going to sign with NBC when starting his broadcast career, then switched to TNT.

“I just want to say thank you to the NBA,” Barkley said. “Every coach I’ve had, every player I’ve played with, for giving me this magnificent life that I’ve had. I am so lucky and blessed. I’m lucky and blessed. And I want to thank TNT. Even though we’ll never say TNT Sports again, I want to thank TNT for giving me a magnificent life.”

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And with that, an era ends: ‘Thanks for watching us. It's the NBA on TNT'

And with that, an era ends: ‘Thanks for watching us. It's the NBA on TNT' originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

Ernie Johnson could barely get the words out.

The run of “Inside the NBA” on TNT came to an end on Saturday night, after nearly four decades as a fixture of the league. The show will move to ESPN and ABC next season — and keep Johnson, Shaquille O’Neal, Kenny Smith and Charles Barkley together, still doing most shows from Atlanta — but the final TNT sign-off was an emotional one.

“I’m proud to say for the last time, ‘Thanks for watching us. It’s the NBA on TNT,'” Johnson said, before turning his back to the camera, placing his microphone on the desk and getting up from that set for the final time.

NBA games will not be airing on TNT starting next season when the league’s new television package kicks in — an 11-year media rights deal worth at least $76 billion, one that keeps games on ABC and ESPN, brings the league back to NBC and starts a new relationship with Amazon Prime Video.

ABC will broadcast the NBA Finals, meaning the end of the Eastern Conference finals between Indiana and New York was the end of TNT’s run. Turner Sports first acquired an NBA package in 1984 and games were on TNT since the network launched in 1988.

“Even though the name changes, the engine is still the same,” O’Neal said during the final broadcast. “And to that new network we’re coming to, we’re not coming to (expletive) around. … We’re taking over, OK? I love you guys and I appreciate you guys.”

The moment was not lost on Indiana coach Rick Carlisle. His team had just clinched a spot in the NBA Finals by beating New York, and when his brief interview with Johnson during the trophy ceremony was over, Carlisle grabbed the microphone out of the host’s hands.

“Congratulations to TNT on a fabulous, unbelievable run that’s coming to an end,” Carlisle said in the unprompted tribute. “We’re all very sad about that.”

The names of countless past and current broadcasters and analysts were included in the many tributes offered on-air after the game, including Doug Collins, Hubie Brown, Dick Stockton, Cheryl Miller, Danny Ainge, John Thompson, Steve Kerr, Mike Fratello, Marv Albert, Brian Anderson, Chris Webber, Candace Parker and Craig Sager.

“Our hearts are full of gratitude,” TNT’s Kevin Harlan said on-air, speaking to the viewers. “Not sadness, but gratitude and happiness for what has been. It has been an honor. It has been a privilege. And I hope you all have enjoyed it as much as we have.”

Harlan had the play-by-play call for the final game, with Reggie Miller, Stan Van Gundy and Allie LaForce on the broadcast as well.

“Think about my life. I’m very fortunate,” Miller said. “I’ve only known two things: 18 years with one franchise in this building with the Indiana Pacers, and 19 years with Turner.”

Many members of the TNT production crew have gotten jobs with NBC and Amazon, Johnson said, because of their exemplary work to this point. “Best production crew in the business, I might add,” Johnson said.

And when it turned back to the “Inside the NBA” crew for one last time on TNT, the emotions were clear.

“This has just been a magnificent ride,” Smith said.

Barkley talked about how he was going to sign with NBC when starting his broadcast career, then switched to TNT.

“I just want to say thank you to the NBA,” Barkley said. “Every coach I’ve had, every player I’ve played with, for giving me this magnificent life that I’ve had. I am so lucky and blessed. I’m lucky and blessed. And I want to thank TNT. Even though we’ll never say TNT Sports again, I want to thank TNT for giving me a magnificent life.”

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Brett Baty's bases-clearing triple 'sets the tone' for Mets, Kodai Senga in win over Rockies

Brett Baty is starting to become a dangerous hitter in the Mets' lineup, and Saturday was just another notch in the young infielder's belt this season.

With the bases loaded and one out in the first inning, Baty -- hitting in the No. 5 hole -- stepped up to the plate. Pete Alonso came up empty with the bases loaded by striking out, and the Rockies were one pitch away from getting out of the early jam. But this is a different Baty, a more confident hitter.

After swinging through a fastball for a foul and taking a curveball for a ball, he stayed back on another Antonio Senzatela curve and lofted it to left-center field. Rockies center fielder Brenton Doyle ran toward the wall but the ball kept traveling, and it ultimately hit the top of the padding and away from him.

Baty had cleared the bases with a triple to put the Mets ahead 3-1, en route to an eventual 8-2 win against Colorado.

"I thought I hit it pretty hard, but it looked like [Doyle] had a beat on it," Baty said after the game. "I thought, at least I’ll get one run in. It ended up hitting the wall. It was huge."

Baty said he was looking heater but wanted to just hit any ball hard that was over the plate, and he did. The ball went 398 feet, just a couple of feet from a grand slam. But more impressively, it was hit 104.1 mph off the bat.

"I like the aggressiveness," Mets manager Carlos Mendoza said of Baty's at-bat. "First pitch went out there and swung through a fastball and he kept attacking. Put a really good swing on it and went left-center. Starts with the aggressiveness in the strikezone and he continues to do that."

With the Mets' issues with runners in scoring position well-documented and the team trailing 1-0 before coming to the plate, Baty's bases-clearing triple came at the best time for everyone, especially starter Kodai Senga.

Once Senga got the lead, the right-hander dominated, retiring 17 straight Rockies and pitching into the seventh inning. Baty, the catalyst for the Mets' offense on Saturday, said he believes it helped Senga get into rhythm.

"Four runs in the first is always big and I think it gave Kodai the confidence to just go out there and pump strikes and let his stuff play," he said.

Mendoza went a step further and called Baty's hit a tone-setter.

"[Baty] came through right away with the bases loaded to set the tone with a bases-clearing triple there," Mendoza said. "Not only offensively but defensively. Made a couple of plays, the line drive right at him, but the slow roller was really good the way he charged it, got rid of it.

"Pretty good play by Pete with the good footwork, with the stretch and the pick. But Brett, the defense, the at-bats, the conviction. Confident player. He’s hitting fifth today, first inning gets an opportunity and comes through."

Baty's second triple of the season rewarded his manager for moving him up in the lineup. And although it was his only hit on Saturday, it was obviously a big one, and another example of the young hitter's maturation in the majors. His hit was his fifth RBI to put the Mets in the lead this season, tied for the fourth-most on the team. He recorded 16 RBI over 21 games in May.

In 16 starts since being recalled from Triple-A on May 5, Baty is slashing .304/.350/.625 with 10 runs, one double, one triple, five homers and a .975 OPS.

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Mets ace Kodai Senga unmoved by NL-best ERA through May: 'I don't really think about my stats'

The Mets weren't lucky enough to have a fully healthy and reliable Kodai Senga at their disposal last October, but enough of that old and tired news. What matters is they have a valuable version of him now, and his dominance on the mound deserves league-wide recognition.

Senga wrapped up his laudable May slate with yet another gem, completing 6.1 innings of two-run ball with seven strikeouts in the Mets' 8-2 beatdown of the lowly Rockies on Saturday afternoon at Citi Field. Check the leaderboard -- he owns an NL-best 1.60 ERA through 11 starts.

While he added to his list of first-inning mistakes this season, allowing a home run to the game's second batter, it didn't take long for Senga to settle in and find a groove. He proceeded to retire 17 straight batters, and ultimately walked off the field to a standing ovation midway through the seventh.

"Ideally, I'd like to get through without giving up any runs," Senga said after the win, via his interpreter. "I don't really think about my stats. A lot more games left in the season. In terms of my innings, give it a few days and I'm no longer on the leaderboard anymore. We have a lot more left to do, and I want to finish my outings on a strong note, unlike today. So, we have a lot of work to do."

With an average salary of $15 million, Senga isn't being paid like one of MLB's elite pitchers. But there's no disputing the ace-level production the right-hander has offered. He matched his stellar April (1.26 ERA) by delivering an excellent May (1.89), and he's now allowed three runs or fewer in 28 consecutive starts.

If the league isn't ready to give Senga worthy praise, at least his rotation mates are. Upon entering the dugout in the seventh, he was swarmed by the Mets' starting pitchers and Francisco Lindor. They huddled around Senga and jumped in celebration of his second-longest start of the season.

"The forkball, that was a pitch he had right away," Mendoza said postgame. "They kept swinging at it and he kept going. And then he made the fastball look 98-99 mph when it was 95-96 with how much he was throwing [the fork]. The cutter was good, the sweeper, all of his pitches. He attacked, got ahead, got some chases. He was solid today."

It's still too early to declare which aces will start this summer's All-Star Game in Atlanta, but the short list of candidates undoubtedly includes Senga. He's held opposing hitters to a .203 average, which ranks seventh best in the NL. It's also worth mentioning his career regular-season ERA now sits at 2.62.

Senga can only hope June treats him as well as springtime did -- he's lined up to face the vaunted Dodgers next week. Perhaps there's some added motivation to step up in Los Angeles, as he allowed six runs across three uninspiring innings during two NLCS meetings at Chavez Ravine last fall.

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Medicine Hat Tigers Ready To Avenge 2007 Memorial Cup Defeat, 18 Seasons Later

The Medicine Hat Tigers have a chance to do something that hasn't been done in 11 seasons: Bring a Memorial Cup trophy to the Western Hockey League. However, this isn't their first rodeo. The Tigers won back to back championships in 1987 and 1988, defeating the Oshawa Generals and Windsor Spitfires respectively.

Credit: Randy Feere // Medicine Hat Tigers

There has been one attempt since then, though it didn't go the way they expected. What happened the last time Medicine Hat made their way to one of junior hockey's biggest stages?

Vancouver, 2007

The Tigers were fresh off a WHL championship win over the Vancouver Giants, a hard-fought seven game series that saw the orange and black come back from a 3-2 series deficit and finish off the Giants in a double overtime thriller. Career Tiger Brennan Bosch scored the eventual winner, sealing Vancouver's fate.

However, Medicine Hat would not get the last laugh.

The 2007 Memorial Cup was hosted in Vancouver, so it was inevitable that the two teams would meet again. In their lone round robin matchup, the Tigers squeaked out a 1-0 victory. Now-former NHL journeymen Derek Dorsett, Kris Russell, and David Schlemko all combined for the game's only goal and Matt Keetley turned aside 29 shots for the shutout.

The Giants ended up pumping the now-defunct Plymouth Whalers by a score of 8-1 in order to secure their spot in the championship game, and they were not going to let the opportunity go to waste. Longtime Detroit Red Wings forward Darren Helm scored the only goal for the Tigers, but Vancouver ended up with a 39-15 shot advantage and skated their way to a 3-1 win and a Memorial Cup title in their hometown.

Nearly 20 years later, the only piece of that Medicine Hat team that remains? Head coach Willie Desjardins. Surpassing the 500-win mark this season, the former NHL bench boss is ready to take his team to the promised land and secure a championship in Rimouski.

With several NHL-drafted prospects (and several more making their way to the podium in the next couple seasons) the Tigers are primed to do battle with teh powerhouse London Knights, who are coming off repeat OHL championship winning seasons of their own.

Make sure you bookmark THN's WHL site and add us to your favourites on Google News for the latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns, and so much more.

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Sabres Moving On From Rising Free Agent Star Would Be A Disastrous Decision

J.J. Peterka (Timothy T. Ludwig, USA TODAY Sports)

After 14 years of missing the Stanley Cup playoffs, the Buffalo Sabres have to change up their lineup. However, this organization cannot afford to play fast-and-loose with most of their assets -- and that includes up-and-coming left winger J.J. Peterka.

The 23-year-old is an RFA this summer, and he's going to get a major raise on the $855,834 he earned this season. But that's not nearly reason enough for Buffalo to part ways with him. To the contrary -- Peterka should absolutely be a building block for the present and the future, and finding a way to make him happy financially and competitively needs to be a priority for Sabres GM Kevyn Adams and his newly-rejigged management team.

Not only was Peterka second in scoring for Buffalo this season -- with 27 goals and 68 points in 77 games -- he hasn't come close to his prime yet. You don't dump a player like that. You do what you need to do to assure him that he's a key member of the franchise. 

Whether Adams gives Peterka a bridge contract or a long-term deal ultimately hinges on where team brass believes he's going to be in the near-future. It's highly unlikely Peterka will have the same type of surge in point production next season -- going from 50 points in 2023-24 to an 18-point improvement this year is going to be very difficult to replicate -- but Peterka now has 55 goals and 118 points in the past two seasons. And getting to the 30-goal plateau isn't a herculean task.

Will Peterka get offer-sheeted as an RFA? It's possible in theory, we suppose. But there's a reason why the NHL doesn't have many players who get an offer sheet; far more often than not, teams will match any offer their player gets. An offer-sheet situation like the St. Louis Blues/Edmonton Oilers saga last summer was all about a team in the Oilers that was strapped for salary cap space, and a Blues team that was extremely calculating in targeting specific mid-tier players.

You can't say the same about the Sabres and Peterka, who now has consecutive seasons of stellar play. Sure, it's not the biggest sample size to judge him by, and there's always a possibility Peterka will regress. But if you're Adams, why take that risk? You're under incredible pressure to produce a playoff team next season, so playing with fire with Peterka is tantamount to cutting off your nose to spite your face. And if a team offer-sheets Peterka, you match the offer and move on. Straightforward stuff, really.

Why Marner To Buffalo Is A Non-Starter Why Marner To Buffalo Is A Non-Starter The Buffalo Sabres have reached the highest level of hockey ignominity with their playoff drought extending to 14 seasons, but after strong statements regarding potential organizational changes last month at their season-ending press conferences, there have been only rumors of possible managerial and coaching shakeups. 

Buffalo has more than enough cap space to use this summer -- $23.2-million, to be precise -- and most of their players are locked up for next season. Even if Adams gives top-four defenseman Bowen Byram a healthy bump in pay, there's plenty of money left over for the Sabres to spend on Peterka. It's not about completely catering to all of your players if you're Adams, but it is about keeping most of them in a good place with their financial bottom line.

If Peterka does take a step back in 2025-26, the Sabres can look at trading him at this time next year. So long as his annual cap hit and contract term aren't outrageously high, there will be many teams lining up to bid on Peterka's services. And Adams (or whoever is running the team by then) should be able to drum up a robust trade market for him if things get to that point. There's always teams out there who believe a change of employer will unlock a particular player's talents, so even if Peterka only pots, say, 20 goals this coming year, Buffalo will be able to find a new home for him.

But for now, the best approach with Peterka is to stay the course, and see exactly how high his goal-scoring prowess can go. And if the Sabres have him locked up for the next two or three years while he gets to that 30-goal mark, Buffalo will have driven a solid bargain for him.

Minnesota Wild Youngster Is Going To Be Well-Paid This Summer -- But It Shouldn't Be By The SabresMinnesota Wild Youngster Is Going To Be Well-Paid This Summer -- But It Shouldn't Be By The SabresThe Buffalo Sabres have their own collection of restricted free agent players to deal with this summer -- most notably, defenseman Bowen Byram and left winger J.J. Peterka -- and although the Sabres have more than enough salary cap space to make a splash ($23.2 million, as per Puck Pedia), one looming RFA who is getting a lot of attention of late is one they should absolutely steer clear of.

Offense was a strong suit for the Sabres this season, as they were eighth in the NHL in goals-for. You don't want to hamstring the offense by dealing Peterka when there's no good reason to do so. It would be different if the player actively wanted out of Buffalo, but no one is suggesting that's the case with Peterka right now. Better, then, to ensure he's a key component of the team, at least, for the short-term. And you can worry about his future down the road.

Peterka has shown himself to be a capable and worthy NHLer. Now it's on the Sabres to show they're a worthy and capable employer for him. Because if they can't -- or because they choose not to spend the money to retain him -- there will be legitimate cause for abject rage among Buffalo's fans. Peterka needs to be a core component for the Sabres moving forward, and arguing otherwise is lowering the bar for this beleagured franchise. 

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Golden Knights Reportedly Entertaining Calls On Nicolas Hague

Vegas Golden Knights defenseman Nicolas Hague (14) holds a pink flamingo after the Golden Knights defeated the Chicago Blackhawks 7-5 at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images

The Vegas Golden Knights are pressed against the salary cap heading into the offseason and will likely need to make moves to remain under and improve their team. According to a report by David Pagnotta of the Fourth Period, the Golden Knights could do so by trading Nicolas Hague and are entertaining calls and engaging in trade discussions. 

No drafted Golden Knights player has played more games with the franchise than Hague. Selected in the second round (34th overall) in the 2017 NHL Draft, Hague has played 364 games, scoring 20 goals and 83 points. His 6'6", 245 lbs frame makes him a physical force, breaking up cycle opportunities and clearing the front of his net.

He's garnered a lot of trust from HC Bruce Cassidy, and there will be plenty of teams looking to make a move for the 26-year-old left-handed defenseman. 

"Speaking of Vegas, the Golden Knights have just over $9.6 million in salary cap space and a few decent holes to fill. Word on the street is they are entertaining calls on defenceman Nic Hague, who is set to become a restricted free agent July 1 and is due for a solid paycheck," said Pagnotta in his recent "Start of Silly Season" article.

"Multiple sources indicated this week that Vegas has already started to engage in trade discussions involving Hague, who brings size, accountability and a championship pedigree to any club looking to strengthen their defensive corps. Several teams will be poking around, and this should be something to keep an eye on leading up to Draft weekend."

The Golden Knights have been expected to move a defenseman for quite some time now. With eight NHL-calibre defensemen on their roster, freeing up some money to add offence could be a beneficial move. 

Kaedan Korczak has shown that he is ready for the next step in his development, and Ben Hutton has been a more than capable replacement when his services are needed. Hague offers many great assets due to his size, but unfortunately, this also makes him a highly sought-after player who can command a substantial salary in this contract extension. 

Trading Hague would also allow the Golden Knights to regain some draft capital, which they are currently lacking. Whether they use the draft picks to make selections or acquire other players is unknown, but it gives Kelly McCrimmon more options. 

Stay updated with the most interesting Golden Knights stories, analysis, breaking news and more! Tap the star to add us to your favourites on Google News to never miss a story.

Could Golden Knights' Nicolas Hague Be On The Move This Offseason?Could Golden Knights' Nicolas Hague Be On The Move This Offseason?Vegas Golden Knights defenseman Nicolas Hague finished the final year of a three-year, $2,294,150 contract he signed with the franchise, making him a restricted free agent this offseason and a player who could garner a lot of interest from other teams.  Golden Knights Reportedly In Two-Team Race For KHL Star ForwardGolden Knights Reportedly In Two-Team Race For KHL Star ForwardWith the team pressed to the salary cap, Vegas Golden Knights general manager Kelly McCrimmon continues to find unique ways to add skilled forwards to his lineup and could be doing so again with KHL star Maxim Shabanov.
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Pacers defeat Knicks in Game 6 to advance to NBA Finals vs. Thunder

Pacers defeat Knicks in Game 6 to advance to NBA Finals vs. Thunder originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

Pascal Siakam scored 31 points, Tyrese Haliburton had 21 points and 13 assists, and the Indiana Pacers pulled away for a 125-108 victory over the New York Knicks in Game 6 on Saturday night to reach the NBA Finals for the second time in franchise history.

Obi Toppin added 18 points and six rebounds against his former team as the gold-clad crowd gave the starters a roaring ovation when they departed with 47.2 seconds left.

Indiana will visit Oklahoma City for Game 1 on Thursday night.

OG Anunoby led the Knicks with 24 points. Karl-Anthony Towns had 22 points and 14 rebounds, while Jalen Brunson added 19 points as the Pacers’ relentless ball pressure forced New York into 17 turnovers.

The Knicks still have not reached the Finals since 1999, and they couldn’t extend the series in a game that was tough and physical right from the start.

Whether it was Towns limping after drawing a foul or Haliburton holding his jaw when he took a shot that knocked him to the ground, the tone was set early — and never really changed with so much at stake.

Indiana finally broke open a close game by opening the second half on a 9-0 run to take a 78-63 lead courtesy of three straight 3-pointers — two from Thomas Bryant and one from Andrew Nembhard. The run ignited the crowd, which included everyone from Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson to WNBA star Caitlin Clark to Timothee Chalamet to Kylie Jenner.

But when the Knicks answered with eight straight to cut the deficit to 78-71, the Pacers responded with another 9-0 run to take their biggest lead of the game and the Knicks were forced to play catch-up the rest of the night.

Pacers star and Hall of Famer Reggie Miller, who was on the 1999-2000 Pacers team that made The Finals, served as the color analyst for TNT’s final broadcast.

New York was trying to become the 14th team in league history to rally from a 3-1 deficit to win a series. It hasn’t won a title since 1973.

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Pacers defeat Knicks in Game 6 to advance to NBA Finals vs. Thunder

Pacers defeat Knicks in Game 6 to advance to NBA Finals vs. Thunder originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston

Pascal Siakam scored 31 points, Tyrese Haliburton had 21 points and 13 assists, and the Indiana Pacers pulled away for a 125-108 victory over the New York Knicks in Game 6 on Saturday night to reach the NBA Finals for the second time in franchise history.

Obi Toppin added 18 points and six rebounds against his former team as the gold-clad crowd gave the starters a roaring ovation when they departed with 47.2 seconds left.

Indiana will visit Oklahoma City for Game 1 on Thursday night.

OG Anunoby led the Knicks with 24 points. Karl-Anthony Towns had 22 points and 14 rebounds, while Jalen Brunson added 19 points as the Pacers’ relentless ball pressure forced New York into 17 turnovers.

The Knicks still have not reached the Finals since 1999, and they couldn’t extend the series in a game that was tough and physical right from the start.

Whether it was Towns limping after drawing a foul or Haliburton holding his jaw when he took a shot that knocked him to the ground, the tone was set early — and never really changed with so much at stake.

Indiana finally broke open a close game by opening the second half on a 9-0 run to take a 78-63 lead courtesy of three straight 3-pointers — two from Thomas Bryant and one from Andrew Nembhard. The run ignited the crowd, which included everyone from Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson to WNBA star Caitlin Clark to Timothee Chalamet to Kylie Jenner.

But when the Knicks answered with eight straight to cut the deficit to 78-71, the Pacers responded with another 9-0 run to take their biggest lead of the game and the Knicks were forced to play catch-up the rest of the night.

Pacers star and Hall of Famer Reggie Miller, who was on the 1999-2000 Pacers team that made The Finals, served as the color analyst for TNT’s final broadcast.

New York was trying to become the 14th team in league history to rally from a 3-1 deficit to win a series. It hasn’t won a title since 1973.

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Former Flyers Goalie Playing His Part for Oilers in NHL Playoffs

Something about the Flyers and their former goalies. (Photo: Dan Hamilton, Imagn Images)

For the second year in a row, the Philadelphia Flyers will have two of their former goalies representing them in the Stanley Cup Final, with one making a surprisingly large contribution in the NHL playoffs relative to his role with the team.

This year's Stanley Cup Final matchup is, of course, a rematch of last year's final, which featured the Edmonton Oilers and the Florida Panthers.

Former Flyers goalie Sergei Bobrovsky, whose career post-Philadelphia has been discussed and reflected on ad nauseam, will appear in his third consecutive Stanley Cup Final, starting to quietly cement himself as one of the best goalies in the NHL playoffs of his era.

With four wins and a back-to-back championship, Bobrovsky will move into 15th all-time in wins in the NHL playoffs amongst goalies.

But, today, we're talking about a different kind of impressive feat from one of the journeymen goalies playing across from him. That's none other than former Flyers goalie Calvin Pickard, who's certainly played his part in bringing the Oilers back to the Final for the second year in a row.

Pickard, 33, didn't start the playoffs as the Oilers' starting goalie, and after some tidy work, he's not going to end them as that either. And that's okay.

Maple Leafs Coach Heaps Big Praise Upon Rising Flyers ProspectMaple Leafs Coach Heaps Big Praise Upon Rising Flyers ProspectToronto Maple Leafs head coach and former Philadelphia Flyers bench boss Craig Berube likes what he's seen from Nikita Grebenkin, one of his old players. And he knows there's room for plenty more as Grebenkin embarks on the next chapter of his NHL career with the Flyers.

Pickard and his goalie partner, Stuart Skinner, combined to allow no fewer than six goals in each of the first two games in Round 1 against the Los Angeles Kings, but Pickard then took over and ripped off four straight wins for the Oilers, playing at a borderline dominant level in two of them.

Pickard's win streak extended into Round 2 against the Vegas Golden Knights, starting that series with two decisive victories in as many games. An injury to Pickard forced Skinner back into the crease, who, after a tight 4-3 loss in his first game, posted back-to-back shutouts to send the Golden Knights packing.

It's been Skinner's crease ever since, but we can't so quickly ignore Pickard's flawless 6-0 record this postseason at a time when the Oilers needed him the most.

And should the Flyers be missing Pickard, who was 4-2-2 with a .863 save percentage and one shutout in his brief 11-game stint in Philadelphia back in 2018?

At this point, yes, probably.

Pickard has gone 34-17-2 over the last two seasons for the Oilers, posting a save percentage no lower than .900 in either season and going 7-1-0 in his 10 postseason appearances.

No Flyers goalie finished with a save percentage above .890 this season, and last season, Sam Ersson finished with a .890 exactly in 51 games with no capable backup goalies behind him.

Pickard, even with his unimpressive Flyers stint, has a career save percentage of .903 in 175 games at the NHL level. It's not great, but it's a lot better than what is in Philadelphia right now.

If nothing else, Pickard would have been a solid backup or rotational piece, at least in the current context of the Flyers, but his career has now advanced and playoff success has followed in lockstep.

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Mets offense explodes, Kodai Senga dominates in 8-2 win over Rockies

The Mets' offense hit three home runs and Kodai Senga struck out seven, pitching into the seventh to beat the Rockies, 8-2, on Saturday afternoon at Citi Field.

Every starter had at least one hit in the game while Mets pitchers allowed just three hits.

Here are the takeaways...

-It was an odd start for Senga. After striking out Jordan Beck on a pitch-clock violation to start the game, Ezequiel Tovar lofted a ghostfork over the left field wall to give the Rockies a 1-0 lead. It's just the third home run Senga has allowed this season, all coming in the first inning. It's just the second homer allowed on the ghostfork in Senga's career. Senga bounced back to strike out Hunter Goodman and Ryan McMahon to end the first.

-The Mets offense would get the run back, and then some. Francisco Lindor and Brandon Nimmo led off with back-to-back singles, and starter Antonio Senzatela walked Juan Soto to load the bases. Pete Alonso struck out swinging but Brett Baty picked him up with a bases-clearing triple. Tyrone Taylor singled to put the Mets up 4-1.

The longball would be kind to the Mets in the fourth with Nimmo driving a two-run shot, and Soto followed with an opposite-field blast to put the Mets up 7-1. It's the first time this season the Mets hit back-to-back homers. It's Soto's first home run since May 9. The 66 at-bats between homers was the second-longest drought of his career.

Jeff McNeil will get in on the fun in the eighth with a solo shot to push the Mets' lead to 8-2.

-Senga would settle in, retiring 17 straight batters at one point. But he started to tire in the seventh, walking Tovar to lead off and pitching out of the stretch for the first time. Goodman hit a bullet to third, but Baty snagged it for the first out. McMahon walked and after a mound visit, Thairo Estrada hit a single through the left side to push across the Rockies' second run.

Mendoza pulled his starter and brought in Jose Butto. Butto got the last two outs of the inning to put an end to the threat and Senga's day.

The right-hander threw 92 pitches (55 strikes) across 6.1 innings, allowing two runs on two hits and two walks while striking out seven batters. Senga has now pitched 28 straight starts allowing three runs or fewer.

The combination of Butto and recently-recalled Chris Devenski combined to get the final eight outs, allowing just two walks and one hit.

-A day after Lindor hit two homers, he reached base four more times on Saturday. He went 2-for-3 with two walks. Soto had just the one hit, but reached base twice

Game MVP: Kodai Senga

While the offense had its best offensive day in a while, Senga continued his dominance in 2025.

Highlights

What's next

The Mets complete their series with the Rockies on Sunday at 1:40 p.m. on SNY.

Clay Holmes (5-3, 2.98 ERA) will take the mound and go up against LHP Carson Palmquist (0-3, 8.78 ERA).

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Looking Back At Every Attempt At Bringing The Stanley Cup To Canada Since 1993

Canada has been searching for a Stanley Cup since the Montreal Canadiens hoisted it in 1993. Since then, there have been several Canadian teams that have competed in the Cup final, but they've failed each time. 

Including this year’s final, there have been eight finals that have consisted of a Canadian team. The Vancouver Canucks and Edmonton Oilers featured in two Cup finals leading up to this season. In addition to those teams, the Calgary Flames, Ottawa Senators and Canadiens made appearances. 

Edmonton was the last Canadian team to lose in the Cup final, falling to the Florida Panthers in seven games last season. They dropped the first three games, but crawled back to force a Game 7. Despite their dramatic comeback, Florida took home the Cup, winning 2-1 in that contest. 

The Oilers will have a chance at redemption this season against the Panthers after beating the Dallas Stars in five games in the Western Conference final.

Before that, the Canadiens met with the Tampa Bay Lightning in the 2021 Cup final, where they lost in five games, and the Lightning won the Stanley Cup for a second consecutive season.

This was when Montreal came out of the all-Canadian North Division. They were the last seed in that division and defeated the Toronto Maple Leafs in a famous comeback series win after Toronto led the series 3-1. 

One decade before the Habs’ Cup final appearance, the Canucks challenged the Boston Bruins for Lord Stanley's cup in 2011. Despite Vancouver scoring three goals past Tim Thomas in only one game, this series went the distance, with the Bruins ultimately winning 4-0 in Game 7. The Bruins' goaltender went on to win the Conn Smythe. 

After the series was over, the citizens of Vancouver sparked the famous riot. A moment that hockey fans won’t forget anytime soon.

Henrik Sedin battles for the puck with Dennis Seidenberg in the third period of Game 7 of the 2011 Stanley Cup final. (Anne-Marie Sorvin-Imagn Images)

Between 2004 and 2007, three Canadian teams featured in the Stanley Cup final in three straight seasons. The Flames lost to the Lightning in 2004, the Oilers lost to the Carolina Hurricanes in 2006, and the Senators lost to the Anaheim Ducks in 2007.

There was no Stanley Cup winner in 2005 due to the lockout season.

Vancouver played in the final the season after the Canadiens won the Cup, where they lost to the New York Rangers 3-2 in Game 7 of the 1994 final. The Rangers ended their 54-year Stanley Cup drought with this victory. 

That was the second-to-last season where the league had eight Canadian teams. In 1995-96, the Quebec Nordiques became the Colorado Avalanche and won the Stanley Cup that year. 

Nonetheless, it’s been 32 years since Canada last owned the Stanley Cup, and the Oilers now have another opportunity to end that drought.

Get the latest news and trending stories by following The Hockey News on Google News and by subscribing to The Hockey News newsletter here. And share your thoughts by commenting below the article on THN.com.

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And with that, an era ends: ‘Thanks for watching us. It's the NBA on TNT'

And with that, an era ends: ‘Thanks for watching us. It's the NBA on TNT' originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

Ernie Johnson could barely get the words out.

The run of “Inside the NBA” on TNT came to an end on Saturday night, after nearly four decades as a fixture of the league. The show will move to ESPN and ABC next season — and keep Johnson, Shaquille O’Neal, Kenny Smith and Charles Barkley together, still doing most shows from Atlanta — but the final TNT sign-off was an emotional one.

“I’m proud to say for the last time, ‘Thanks for watching us. It’s the NBA on TNT,'” Johnson said, before turning his back to the camera, placing his microphone on the desk and getting up from that set for the final time.

NBA games will not be airing on TNT starting next season when the league’s new television package kicks in — an 11-year media rights deal worth at least $76 billion, one that keeps games on ABC and ESPN, brings the league back to NBC and starts a new relationship with Amazon Prime Video.

ABC will broadcast the NBA Finals, meaning the end of the Eastern Conference finals between Indiana and New York was the end of TNT’s run. Turner Sports first acquired an NBA package in 1984 and games were on TNT since the network launched in 1988.

“Even though the name changes, the engine is still the same,” O’Neal said during the final broadcast. “And to that new network we’re coming to, we’re not coming to (expletive) around. … We’re taking over, OK? I love you guys and I appreciate you guys.”

The moment was not lost on Indiana coach Rick Carlisle. His team had just clinched a spot in the NBA Finals by beating New York, and when his brief interview with Johnson during the trophy ceremony was over, Carlisle grabbed the microphone out of the host’s hands.

“Congratulations to TNT on a fabulous, unbelievable run that’s coming to an end,” Carlisle said in the unprompted tribute. “We’re all very sad about that.”

The names of countless past and current broadcasters and analysts were included in the many tributes offered on-air after the game, including Doug Collins, Hubie Brown, Dick Stockton, Cheryl Miller, Danny Ainge, John Thompson, Steve Kerr, Mike Fratello, Marv Albert, Brian Anderson, Chris Webber, Candace Parker and Craig Sager.

“Our hearts are full of gratitude,” TNT’s Kevin Harlan said on-air, speaking to the viewers. “Not sadness, but gratitude and happiness for what has been. It has been an honor. It has been a privilege. And I hope you all have enjoyed it as much as we have.”

Harlan had the play-by-play call for the final game, with Reggie Miller, Stan Van Gundy and Allie LaForce on the broadcast as well.

“Think about my life. I’m very fortunate,” Miller said. “I’ve only known two things: 18 years with one franchise in this building with the Indiana Pacers, and 19 years with Turner.”

Many members of the TNT production crew have gotten jobs with NBC and Amazon, Johnson said, because of their exemplary work to this point. “Best production crew in the business, I might add,” Johnson said.

And when it turned back to the “Inside the NBA” crew for one last time on TNT, the emotions were clear.

“This has just been a magnificent ride,” Smith said.

Barkley talked about how he was going to sign with NBC when starting his broadcast career, then switched to TNT.

“I just want to say thank you to the NBA,” Barkley said. “Every coach I’ve had, every player I’ve played with, for giving me this magnificent life that I’ve had. I am so lucky and blessed. I’m lucky and blessed. And I want to thank TNT. Even though we’ll never say TNT Sports again, I want to thank TNT for giving me a magnificent life.”

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Paris Saint-Germain 5-0 Internazionale: Champions League final – as it happened

PSG finally became champions of Europe after routing Inter as they recorded the biggest margin of victory in any European Cup or Champions League final

Pennant watch. Here’s what PSG captain Marquinhos will be handing over during the pre-match niceties. A typically classy piece in the retro-poster style, here it’s the centrepiece of an enigmatic pop-art collage also featuring a fruit platter, several hundred toothpicks, some power bars, three toilet rolls, a carry case of assorted hardware, and what may or may not be a box of Terry’s Chocolate Orange in the top-right corner. If this was an LP cover you’d stay up half the night trying to decode it.

Inter are playing in their third-choice yellow strip this evening. So that means their pennant will clash with captain Lautaro Martínez’s shirt, but what a gorgeous thing it is anyway (the current Volkswagen-adjacent monstrosity of a crest, not half as good as the old interlapping FCIM logo, notwithstanding).

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