Indiana Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle confirmed postgame Monday that Tyrese Haliburton is battl...

Indiana Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle confirmed postgame Monday that <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/93893" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/93893">Tyrese Haliburton</a> is battling a lower leg injury that visibly hindered the star guard during the team's Game 5 loss."He's not 100%. It's pretty clear," Carlisle <a href="https://x.com/NBATV/status/1934823383792800034">said</a>. "But I don't think he's going to miss the next game."We were concerned at halftime. He insisted on playing. And I thought he made a lot of really good things happen in the second half. But he's not 100%. There's a lot of guys in this series that aren't."<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>Haliburton failed to register a single field goal in Monday's defeat. He left for the locker room momentarily in the first half to receive treatment for calf tightness in his right leg, sources told <a href="https://x.com/ShamsCharania/status/1934793607577264208">ESPN's Shams Charania</a>. It's the same leg on which the 25-year-old was limping after Game 2; he was also spotted at shootaround prior to Game 3 with black tape running vertically from his lower calf down to his ankle.The two-time All-NBA selection appeared to aggravate the issue while attempting to drive by Thunder center <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/102801" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/102801">Chet Holmgren</a> in the first quarter.<figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Biggest CONCERN with the Indiana Pacers moving forward The HEALTH of Tyrese Haliburton’s calf He went 0-6 tonight and didn’t have any of his burst to get past OKC defenders This is the play he aggravated his “lower leg” injury <a href="https://t.co/NqHE0Yj6Xl">pic.twitter.com/NqHE0Yj6Xl</a>— Dr. Evan Jeffries, DPT (@GameInjuryDoc) <a href="https://twitter.com/GameInjuryDoc/status/1934813403597709628?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 17, 2025</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure>"I mean, it's the NBA Finals," Haliburton <a href="https://x.com/NBATV/status/1934831051706114495">said</a> Monday when asked about playing through the injury. "It's the Finals, man. I've worked my whole life to be here, and I want to be out there to compete, help my teammates any way I can."I was not great tonight by any means, but it's not really a thought of mine to not play here. If I can walk, then I want to play. (The Pacers) understand that. It is what it is, and (I) got to be ready for Game 6."Monday marked the first time that Haliburton didn't make a field goal in the playoffs. It's just the seventh such instance when factoring in his 333 regular-season games over five NBA seasons with the Pacers and Sacramento Kings. Indiana is now 0-5 all time when he fails to score a field goal."This is a lifetime opportunity, and not many guys are going to sit even if they're a little banged up," Carlisle said about Haliburton's reluctance to sit out, courtesy of <a href="https://x.com/ScottAgness/status/1934818186362507728">Scott Agness of Fieldhouse Files</a>. "Now, if you're injured, that's a different story."Haliburton will have two full days of rest before the series returns to Indiana for Game 6 on Thursday. Game 7, if necessary, then goes Sunday back in Oklahoma City.

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - MAY 27: Head Coach Rick Carlisle of the Indiana Pacers looks on with Tyrese Haliburton during Game 4 of the 2025 Eastern Conference Finals on May 27, 2025 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2025 NBAE

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Carlisle: Haliburton 'not 100%,' but I doubt he will miss Game 6

The Oklahoma City Thunder are nearly there.  Jalen Williams poured in a playoff career-high 40 po...

The Oklahoma City Thunder are nearly there.<a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/102799" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/102799">Jalen Williams</a> poured in a playoff career-high 40 points, along with six rebounds and four assists, to lead the Thunder to a 120-109 win at home in Monday's Game 5.Mark Diagneault's squad leads the series 3-2 and can capture the franchise's first NBA title of the Oklahoma City era in Game 6 on Thursday in Indiana.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>"My mindset was just going into these games and not kind of lightly stepping in and just jumping in," Williams said on <a href="https://x.com/NBATV/status/1934816384493429179">NBA TV</a> after his performance. "And I thought I've done a really good job at that - just living with the results playing aggressive."Regular-season MVP <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/60411" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/60411">Shai Gilgeous-Alexander</a> added a double-double with 31 points and 10 assists, plus four blocks and two steals.<a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/39061" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/39061">Pascal Siakam</a> led the way for the Pacers, scoring 28 points on 9-of-15 shooting (3-of-6 from deep) with six rebounds, five assists, three steals, and two blocks. Franchise star <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/93893" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/93893">Tyrese Haliburton</a>, nursing an apparent calf injury, finished with just four points, all of which came from the free-throw line. Haliburton shot 0-of-6 from the floor, including four missed threes, after going scoreless in the first half of a playoff matchup for the first time in his career.Williams is now the 30th different player with a 40-point game in the Finals, courtesy of <a href="https://stathead.com/tiny/UxLze">Stathead</a>. The late Jerry West did it a record 10 times during an eight-year span in the '60s, though Los Angeles Lakers star <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/72" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/72">LeBron James</a> sits close behind in second with eight 40-point games in the Finals since 2015."This is the biggest stage, but it doesn't matter where he's at," Thunder center Chet Holmgren told <a href="https://x.com/NBA/status/1934823467066773739">ESPN's Scott Van Pelt</a> postgame. "He's special. That's Dub."That's what we see ... all year. It doesn't surprise me, but I'm still impressed by it."

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - JUNE 16: Jalen Williams #8 and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander #2 of the Oklahoma City Thunder high five during the game against the Indiana Pacers during Game Five of the 2025 NBA Finals on June 16, 2025 at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2025 NBAE

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Jalen Williams scores 40, Thunder take Game 5 of Finals over Pacers

Kevin Durant has a couple of teams in mind for his next chapter.  The San Antonio Spurs and Houst...

<a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/345" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/345">Kevin Durant</a> has a couple of teams in mind for his next chapter.The San Antonio Spurs and Houston Rockets are among the Phoenix Suns star's preferred destinations if he's traded this summer, sources told <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6426397/2025/06/14/kevin-durant-suns-trade-nba-rumors-wolves-rockets-spurs/?utm_medium=social&amp;utm_campaign=twhq&amp;source=twitterhq">The Athletic's Sam Amick, Jon Krawczynski, and Kelly Iko</a>. Durant would also be on board with joining the Miami Heat, added <a href="https://twitter.com/ShamsCharania/status/1934066096304496810">ESPN's Shams Charania</a>.Durant, 36, can't outright control where he lands as he's under contract through this coming season. However, he can exert some influence thanks to his expiring deal; teams have been informed that the three aforementioned franchises are the ones with which Durant would agree to a longer-term deal, according to Charania.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>The Spurs, Rockets, and Heat are all among a list of several teams that have <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3298926" href="https://thescore.com/news/3298926">reportedly</a> reached out to the Suns recently regarding the 15-time All-Star. The Minnesota Timberwolves and New York Knicks have also reportedly expressed interest in acquiring Durant.Phoenix is widely expected to part with the two-time Finals MVP sometime this offseason as it attempts to retool around <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/37815" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/37815">Devin Booker</a> and first-year head coach Jordan Ott. The Suns <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3295238" href="https://thescore.com/news/3295238">reportedly</a> lowered their asking price for Durant earlier this month in the hope of completing a trade before the NBA draft June 25.

PHOENIX, ARIZONA - DECEMBER 03: Kevin Durant #35 of the Phoenix Suns drives against Victor Wembanyama #1 of the San Antonio Spurs during the first half of the Emirates NBA Cup game at Footprint Center on December 03, 2024 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Suns defeated the Spurs 104-93.

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Report: Durant prefers Spurs, Rockets, Heat if traded by Suns

Rick Carlisle believes the Indiana Pacers allowed their offense to slow to a crawl in the second ...

Rick Carlisle believes the Indiana Pacers allowed their offense to slow to a crawl in the second half of their 111-104 home loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 4 of the NBA Finals on Friday."We just got too stagnant," Carlisle <a href="https://x.com/NBATV/status/1933736266941485237/video/1">said</a> postgame. "The ball was not being advanced quickly enough. We weren't creating problems, and we were up against the clock a lot, so things got very difficult."You gotta give Oklahoma credit. They made it very difficult."<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>The Pacers entered the fourth quarter with an 87-80 lead over the Thunder, buoyed by a 20-9 advantage in assists. However, Carlisle's squad mustered just one assist in the final frame, and that happened just over a minute in when <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/6158" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/6158">T.J. McConnell</a> found <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/93853" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/93853">Obi Toppin</a> in transition following a Thunder turnover on an inbound play.<figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Plays like these are backbreaking. Caruso had a layup and it ends in a Toppin dunk. <a href="https://t.co/UjwzhnFEIV">pic.twitter.com/UjwzhnFEIV</a>— Coach Gibson Pyper (@HalfCourtHoops) <a href="https://twitter.com/HalfCourtHoops/status/1933717990626808036?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 14, 2025</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure>That Toppin dunk was Indiana's only points within the first four minutes of the fourth. The Pacers were outscored 31-17 in the quarter, allowing the Thunder to even up the Finals.Pacers star point guard <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/93893" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/93893">Tyrese Haliburton</a>, who dropped 10 of his 18 points and a pair of his seven assists in the second half, blamed himself for his team's offense getting held up."I got to do a better job. I got to do a better job of keeping pace in the game," Haliburton said, according to <a href="https://x.com/BrettSiegelNBA/status/1933737452629291216">Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints</a>. "I did a much better job at that in the last game, especially down the stretch: keeping pace, getting rebounds, and really pushing."I think we got to do a better job of when we do get stops, getting out and running. A lot of times in that fourth we were fouling too much, taking the ball out, having to kind of run something, versus just running the basketball. ... That's on me. I got to get us playing faster down the stretch. I'll be better in Game 5."Game 5 tips off Monday at 8:30 p.m. ET in Oklahoma City.

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - JUNE 11: Head coach Rick Carlisle of the Indiana Pacers reacts during the second quarter against the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game Three of the 2025 NBA Finals at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on June 11, 2025 in Indianapolis, Indiana.

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Carlisle: Pacers became too stagnant in Game 4 loss to Thunder

The New York Knicks have finally lined up head coaching interviews.  The Knicks will interview fo...

The New York Knicks have finally lined up head coaching interviews.The Knicks will interview former Memphis Grizzlies head coach Taylor Jenkins and veteran NBA bench boss Mike Brown sometime next week regarding their opening, sources told <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6425152/2025/06/13/knicks-coaching-search-taylor-jenkins-mike-brown/">The Athletic's James L. Edwards III</a>.New York will also soon reach out to teams to speak with assistants, Edwards reports.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>Several teams reportedly rebuffed the Knicks' requests to interview their current head coaches in recent days. However, New York may circle back to two of those targets in the Chicago Bulls' Billy Donovan and the Dallas Mavericks' Jason Kidd if they don't sign extensions with their respective clubs in the coming weeks, Edwards reports.Jenkins was unexpectedly dismissed by Memphis toward the end of his sixth campaign with the franchise. The 40-year-old was fired with just nine games left in the regular season despite the Grizzlies sitting fifth in the Western Conference with a 44-29 record.Jenkins made three playoff trips with Memphis but topped out with a second-round series loss to the Golden State Warriors in 2022.Brown was 13-18 to start his third season with the Sacramento Kings when he was fired in late December. In 2023, he helped the franchise make the playoffs for the first time in 17 years, but they, too, were eliminated by the Warriors. The Kings haven't made the playoffs since.

INGLEWOOD, CA - MARCH 21: Head Coach Taylor Jenkins of the Memphis Grizzlies looks on during the game against the LA Clippers on March 21, 2025 at Intuit Dome in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2025 NBAE

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Report: Knicks to interview Taylor Jenkins, Mike Brown

The Dallas Mavericks believe internally that Jason Kidd will remain with the team despite reporte...

The Dallas Mavericks believe internally that Jason Kidd will remain with the team despite reported interest in the head coach from the New York Knicks, sources told <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6417678/2025/06/10/jason-kidd-mavericks-knicks-head-coaching-job/">Christian Clark and Sam Amick of The Athletic</a>.Though the Knicks are apparently <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3296767" href="https://thescore.com/news/3296767">considering</a> Kidd as a possible successor to Tom Thibodeau, Dallas reportedly continues to tell important personnel that the 52-year-old will be back on their bench in 2025-26. Veteran NBA coach Jay Triano, who on Tuesday accepted a role as an assistant with the Mavericks, was told by general manager Nico Harrison during their meetings that Kidd would be returning, a source told Clark and Amick.New York requested to interview Kidd on Wednesday but was firmly rejected by Dallas, sources told <a href="https://x.com/ShamsCharania/status/1932789585949405398">ESPN's Shams Charania</a>.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>Kidd, whose contract has two seasons left, has coached Dallas for four years, leading them to two conference finals and a Finals appearance in 2024. He holds further historical significance to the franchise as the starting point guard of its 2011 championship squad, Dallas' only title in franchise history. Kidd played a combined seven seasons of his 19-year career with the Mavericks, winning Rookie of the Year in 1995 before returning for a second stint in a 2008 midseason trade from the New Jersey Nets.However, Kidd has left the Mavericks for the Knicks before. As a free agent late in his career in 2012, he reportedly reversed course on a commitment to re-sign in Dallas and instead signed with New York, which was attempting to build a contending roster around Carmelo Anthony. He's also familiar with Knicks All-Star guard <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/45223" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/45223">Jalen Brunson</a>, whom he coached for one season in Dallas - the latter's final campaign with the Mavericks before signing a four-year deal worth more than $100 million with the Knicks in 2023.

DALLAS, TEXAS - JANUARY 11: Head coach Jason Kidd of the Dallas Mavericks watches play in the second half against the New York Knicks at American Airlines Center on January 11, 2024 in Dallas, Texas.

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Report: Mavs confident Kidd will remain with team, spurn Knicks

Cleveland Cavaliers guard Darius Garland underwent surgery Monday to address the toe injury that ...

Cleveland Cavaliers guard <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/70243" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/70243">Darius Garland</a> underwent surgery Monday to address the toe injury that bothered him during the postseason, the team announced.Garland's rehabilitation period will last approximately four-to-five months. The Cavs said they expect him to be cleared by the start of training camp in October. However, the point guard will likely miss the start of next season, sources told <a href="https://twitter.com/ShamsCharania/status/1932133813439926499">ESPN's Shams Charania</a>.In Game 2 of Cleveland's first-round sweep of the Miami Heat, the two-time All-Star reportedly re-aggravated a pre-existing injury to his left great toe from late March. Garland's toe continued to bother him in their second-round series against the Indiana Pacers, forcing him to miss Games 1 and 2. He returned to help Kenny Atkinson's side win Game 3 - its only victory of the series - but admitted his movement was still severely limited.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>Before sustaining the injury, Garland shot 10-of-17, including 5-of-9 from deep, as part of a 27-point, five-assist performance in Cleveland's Game 1 win over Miami.Garland averaged 20.6 points as Cleveland's second-leading scorer across 75 games - the most he's played in a regular season throughout his six-year career. He led the Cavs with 6.7 assists and posted shooting splits of 47.2/40.1/87.8, playing a significant role in their 64-win season. His contract with Cleveland is fully guaranteed through 2027-28.

CLEVELAND, OH - JANUARY 9: Darius Garland #10 of the Cleveland Cavaliers looks on during the game against the Toronto Raptors on January 9, 2025 at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2025 NBAE

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Report: Garland likely to miss start of season after toe surgery

Despite his stunning game-winner to steal Game 1 of the NBA Finals on the road against the Oklaho...

Despite his stunning game-winner to steal Game 1 of the NBA Finals on the road against the Oklahoma City Thunder, <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/93893" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/93893">Tyrese Haliburton</a> cautioned his Indiana Pacers against using that performance as a benchmark if they want to hoist the Larry O'Brien Trophy."This game, if you look at all the numbers, it's not the recipe to win," Haliburton said after Thursday's 111-110 win. "We can't turn the ball over that much. We've got to do a better job at beating gaps, got to do a better job at rebounding, got to do a better job all over the floor."But come May and June, it doesn't matter how you get 'em - just get 'em. So, we'll take it, we'll enjoy this one ... but understand we've got another game coming up in this tough building and we've got to be prepared for that."<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>Indiana never led in Thursday's contest until Haliburton's mid-range pull-up over <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/110284" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/110284">Cason Wallace</a> trickled through the Thunder's basket with 0.3 seconds left in the fourth quarter. It capped a 15-point comeback for the Pacers in the last 10 minutes of regulation - including a nine-point turnaround inside the final three minutes alone - continuing the Pacers' trend of <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3291819" href="https://thescore.com/news/3291819">improbable comebacks</a> throughout their postseason run.However, Rick Carlisle's squad committed 19 turnovers in the first half alone and finished with 25 in the win, tying its season high in any game (regular season or playoffs, this season). It was also the most by any team in the Finals since 1998 when the Utah Jazz racked up 26 turnovers in a 96-54 blowout loss to Michael Jordan's Chicago Bulls. That played into the hands of Oklahoma City, which caused opponents to turn it over a league-high 17 times per game during the regular season."There was never a disbelief as a group, honestly," Haliburton said postgame. "You have a half like that where you're just throwing the ball to the other team ... and we like controlled chaos but that was just chaos. Ugly."I think we as a group today, we got something like 20 turnovers in the first half. We only gave up ... I think it was nine points. That's not that bad if you think of it that way, try to look at it glass half full. I think as a group, we never think the game is over, ever. ... That never creeps in."

OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA - JUNE 05: Tyrese Haliburton #0 of the Indiana Pacers reacts during the second quarter against the Oklahoma City Thunder during the second quarter in Game One of the 2025 NBA Finals at Paycom Center on June 05, 2025 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

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Haliburton: Pacers' Game 1 'not the recipe to win' Finals

The Phoenix Suns are hiring Cleveland Cavaliers assistant Jordan Ott to be their next head coach,...

The Phoenix Suns are hiring Cleveland Cavaliers assistant Jordan Ott to be their next head coach, sources told <a href="https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/45450487/sources-suns-hiring-cavs-assistant-jordan-ott-head-coach">ESPN's Shams Charania</a>.Ott was one of two finalists for the position alongside fellow Cavs assistant Johnnie Bryant.Like Bryant, Ott was one of several additions to the Cavaliers' staff this past season under Kenny Atkinson. Together, they helped Cleveland win 64 games and finish atop the Eastern Conference for the first time since 2016.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>Ott has never been a head coach in the NBA but has a lengthy resume in the league. His first role behind the bench was in 2012, when he worked as a video coordinator for the Atlanta Hawks under Mike Budenholzer - the man he'll reportedly replace in Phoenix. In 2016, he took up his first gig as an assistant when he began a six-year stint with the Brooklyn Nets, during which he first worked under Atkinson. He was also an assistant on the Los Angeles Lakers during Darvin Ham's two-year window in charge.Suns star Devin Booker, who reportedly contributed to the team's coaching search in recent weeks, had Ott as his top choice for Phoenix's next head coach, sources told Charania.

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - JULY 18: Summer League head coach Jordan Ott of the Cleveland Cavaliers looks on against the Los Angeles Lakers in the first half of a 2024 NBA Summer League game at the Thomas & Mack Center on July 18, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Lakers defeated the Cavaliers 93-89.

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Report: Suns hiring Cavs assistant Ott as next head coach

The NBA Finals between the Oklahoma City Thunder and Indiana Pacers will tip off Thursday. Here's...

The NBA Finals between the Oklahoma City Thunder and Indiana Pacers will tip off Thursday. Here's a look at seven of the most intriguing storylines entering the championship series. <h3>SGA could be 1st in 10 years to win MVP, championship in same season</h3>The last regular-season MVP to win the NBA championship the same season was the Golden State Warriors' Stephen Curry in 2014-15. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is looking to accomplish the feat. He won MVP after leading the NBA in regular-season scoring with 32.7 points per game, and his success has carried into the postseason. Gilgeous-Alexander is averaging 29.8 points, 5.7 rebounds, 6.9 assists, and 1.6 steals in these playoffs and earned this year's Magic Johnson Trophy, given to the most valuable player in the Western Conference finals.Gilgeous-Alexander could also do what Curry couldn't in 2015: Get Finals MVP honors. Curry missed out thanks to the performance of Andre Iguodala. If SGA does it, he'd be just the 11th player in league history and first since LeBron James in 2012-13 to be named regular-season and Finals MVP in the same campaign.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><h3>Haliburton shedding 'overrated' label</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/787957/cropped_GettyImages-2217020321.jpg?ts=1748570013" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/787957/w220xh124_GettyImages-2217020321.jpg?ts=1748570013 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/787957/w320xh180_GettyImages-2217020321.jpg?ts=1748570013 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/787957/w640xh360_GettyImages-2217020321.jpg?ts=1748570013 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/787957/w768xh432_GettyImages-2217020321.jpg?ts=1748570013 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/787957/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2217020321.jpg?ts=1748570013 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Jesse D. Garrabrant / National Basketball Association / Getty</figcaption></figure>An anonymous player poll conducted by <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6296394/2025/04/22/anonymous-nba-player-poll-2025-mvp-sga-jokic-analytics/">The Athletic</a> in April singled out Tyrese Haliburton as the most "overrated" player in the league. It's worth mentioning that only 90 players cast a vote, so even with 14.4% of the vote, that translates to only 12 individuals or so who felt a certain way about the Pacers star. Still, those unidentified dozen are very likely regretting their answer now.Haliburton's immediate response to the poll was a 21-point, 12-rebound performance to beat the Milwaukee Bucks in Game 2 of Round 1. Now, he's leading Indiana to its first Finals in a quarter-century after a historic 32-point triple-double with zero turnovers in Game 4 against the New York Knicks. Puma, with which he's signed, <a href="https://x.com/NickDePaula/status/1928091702717239477">unveiled</a> an "Overrate That" T-shirt in the aftermath of that ridiculous stat line.<h3>The best Thunder team of all time?</h3>Despite the limitations that come with playing in a smaller market, like less national coverage and difficulty attracting free agents, the Thunder have boasted an absurd assortment of talent since they took root in Oklahoma City for the 2008-09 season. Their short-lived Big Three of Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook, and James Harden made the Finals in 2012 and has represented the peak of Thunder basketball.Mark Daigneault's current squad will probably unseat the Big Three era as the best in Thunder history. On paper, there aren't many sides that could slow down that old OKC group, but the defensive acumen sprinkled throughout this year's roster would likely provide an edge against Durant and Co. Even if the Thunder fall just short of a title again this time around, general manager Sam Presti, who also assembled the teams around Durant, will likely keep this core together for much longer after the ostensible mistake of prematurely trading Harden in 2012.<h3>Turner playing for free-agent payday</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/785207/cropped_GettyImages-2214601673.jpg?ts=1748900846" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/785207/w220xh124_GettyImages-2214601673.jpg?ts=1748900846 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/785207/w320xh180_GettyImages-2214601673.jpg?ts=1748900846 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/785207/w640xh360_GettyImages-2214601673.jpg?ts=1748900846 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/785207/w768xh432_GettyImages-2214601673.jpg?ts=1748900846 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/785207/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2214601673.jpg?ts=1748900846 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Dylan Buell / Getty Images Sport / Getty</figcaption></figure>Myles Turner is not only trying to win his first NBA championship, but he's also looking to boost his value before entering free agency this offseason. The 6-foot-11 big man could cash in with a massive deal in this summer's relatively weak free-agent class. Turner has been the anchor of the Pacers' defense for most of the last seven seasons. He's led the league in blocks twice (2018-19, 2020-21) during that span and is averaging a team-high 2.4 blocks per game this postseason.The 29-year-old is also averaging 15.2 points per game in the playoffs, third on Indiana. Turner excels on the perimeter despite his large frame; he shot a career-high 39.6% from deep during the regular season and has followed that up with a 40.3% mark in the postseason.<h3>Carlisle seeks 2nd underdog triumph</h3>Somewhat lost amid three dominant series victories over the Bucks, 64-win Cleveland Cavaliers, and Knicks is head coach Rick Carlisle marching into his second NBA Finals. The 65-year-old, who helmed the Dallas Mavericks in 2011 during their only title run in franchise history, has prepared Indiana to perfection throughout this postseason. His adjustments after setbacks have been critical, too; the Pacers are 4-0 in games after losses this postseason, during which they've averaged over 121 points and a margin of victory of 18.Against Oklahoma City, Carlisle finds himself in a similar predicament to his 2011 triumph. Few expected those Mavericks to topple the Miami Heat's vaunted Big Three, much like how many are <a href="https://www.nba.com/news/2025-nba-finals-predictions-pacers-thunder">predicting</a> the Thunder will brush aside the Pacers. However, that may be just the kind of Finals backdrop Carlisle prefers.<h3>Canadians taking over Finals</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/788037/cropped_GettyImages-2210916911.jpg?ts=1748620978" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/788037/w220xh124_GettyImages-2210916911.jpg?ts=1748620978 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/788037/w320xh180_GettyImages-2210916911.jpg?ts=1748620978 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/788037/w640xh360_GettyImages-2210916911.jpg?ts=1748620978 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/788037/w768xh432_GettyImages-2210916911.jpg?ts=1748620978 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/788037/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2210916911.jpg?ts=1748620978 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Joe Murphy / NBA / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>Canada will have strong representation in these NBA Finals. Four Canadian-born players will compete in the series: Gilgeous-Alexander and Luguentz Dort for the Thunder, and Bennedict Mathurin and Andrew Nembhard on the Pacers. The separate duos are each looking to become the 11th and 12th Canadians to win an NBA title. No matter who wins, this will be the fourth consecutive year that a Canadian becomes a champion.The series also serves as an Olympic preview with the SGA-Haliburton matchup. Gilgeous-Alexander is a lock to be the star of Canada for the next decade at least, and Haliburton's widely expected to take the reins from Stephen Curry as the USA's starting guard in the near future. A battle between these two All-Stars could become a regular thing in the NBA and the Summer Games.<h3>OKC's home-court advantage </h3>What the Thunder have done at home this postseason is absurd. They've been practically untouchable throughout the playoffs, going 8-1 at Paycom Center and beating opponents by an average margin of 24.6 points.The Thunder have won five home games these playoffs by 25-plus points, and four of those were by 30-plus. They hit the ground running with a 51-point beatdown of the Memphis Grizzlies in Game 1 of the first round. Game 1 of the Finals takes place June 5, exactly one month since the Thunder last lost a home contest.

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Cleveland Cavaliers assistants Johnnie Bryant and Jordan Ott are the finalists in the Phoenix Sun...

Cleveland Cavaliers assistants Johnnie Bryant and Jordan Ott are the finalists in the Phoenix Suns' head coaching search, sources told <a href="https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/45435950/sources-cavaliers-bryant-ott-finalists-suns-coaching-job">ESPN's Shams Charania</a>.The two will reportedly meet with Suns owner Mat Ishbia, CEO Josh Bartelstein, and new general manager Brian Gregory sometime this week. A final decision is expected soon after, according to <a href="https://twitter.com/Gambo987/status/1929575500822822966">John Gambadoro of Arizona Sports 98.7 FM</a>.Bryant and Ott both joined the Cavaliers in September as Kenny Atkinson filled out his staff ahead of the 2024-25 campaign. Bryant was named associate head coach after four seasons in the same role with the New York Knicks. Ott was an assistant with the Los Angeles Lakers for two years after six with the Brooklyn Nets, four of which were under Atkinson.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>With both supporting Atkinson on the Cavaliers' bench, Cleveland topped the Eastern Conference with a 64-18 record - the second-best regular-season finish in franchise history. The Cavs also boasted the league's best offensive rating at 121 points per 100 possessions, and their 111.8 defensive rating ranked eighth in the NBA. Atkinson was named Coach of the Year for the 2024-25 season.Ott was a video coordinator from 2008-2013 under Tom Izzo at Michigan State, Ishbia's alma mater. Gregory, who was promoted to Suns GM in May, also spent time with the Spartans, working as an assistant to Izzo in two separate four-year stints. Bryant played three seasons at Utah from 2005-08 before joining the Jazz as a player development assistant in 2012.Suns star Devin Booker, who was born in Michigan, has contributed to the team's search within the last 10 days, Charania reports.Phoenix reportedly cast a wide net as it searched for a successor to Mike Budenholzer, whom they fired after just one season in which they went 36-46. Current Suns assistant David Fizdale and New Orleans Pelicans associate head coach James Borrego were <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3287790" href="https://thescore.com/news/3287790">reportedly</a> among several other candidates for the opening.

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - MAY 9: Head Coach Johnnie Bryant and Assistant Coach Jordan Ott looks on during the game against the Indiana Pacers during Round 2 Game 3 on May 9, 2025 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2025 NBAE

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The Utah Jazz hired Austin Ainge to be their president of basketball operations, the team announc...

The Utah Jazz hired Austin Ainge to be their president of basketball operations, the team announced Monday.Ainge was previously the assistant general manager for the Boston Celtics. He's the son of the Jazz's CEO, Danny Ainge, who retired from his top-level role in Boston's front office in June 2021 and joined Utah six months later.The younger Ainge's first role in the Celtics' front office was in 2011 when he was named director of player personnel following stints as a scout and a G League head coach. He was Boston's assistant GM for the last six seasons, according to <a href="https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/45434542/jazz-hire-celtics-austin-ainge-president-basketball-ops">ESPN's Tim Bontemps and Shams Charania</a>. The franchise won its 18th championship in 2024 after an unsuccessful Finals appearance in 2021.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>Jazz governor Ryan Smith said the new hire will have final say on team decisions, according to <a href="https://x.com/NBASarah/status/1929652717531914541">Sarah Todd of the Deseret News</a>. He added that it was his call to pry Austin from the Celtics."It's go time for us: Will (Hardy) is locked in long term, and I've known Austin for a really long time, and he's the next, young executive stud," Smith told <a href="https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/45434542/jazz-hire-celtics-austin-ainge-president-basketball-ops">Bontemps and Charania</a>. "He wasn't going to be available much longer. It's good timing on all parts."As I look out into the future, there's no one I would rather have run this organization than Austin. His pedigree, his knowledge and his talent evaluation shined through, working with DA for so long and having the trust of Brad (Stevens) all of these years. Austin has the full capabilities to run our operations - he's methodical, diligent and just brilliant."Like his dad, the younger Ainge played four college seasons at BYU from 2003 to 2007. He started in 53 of 101 total games for the Cougars, averaging 6.6 points, 3.5 assists, and shooting 40.2% from three while helping the school make the NCAA Tournament as a senior.

LAS VEGAS, NV - JULY 9: Danny Ainge CEO of Basketball Operations for the Utah Jazz and Austin Ainge Director of Player Personnel for the Boston Celtics smile and look on during the 2022 NBA Summer League on July 9, 2022 at the Cox Pavilion in Las Vegas, Nevada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2022 NBAE

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Jazz hire former Celtics executive Austin Ainge as team president

The Toronto Raptors may be a preferred destination for Giannis Antetokounmpo if the Milwaukee Buc...

The Toronto Raptors may be a preferred destination for <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/30611" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/30611">Giannis Antetokounmpo</a> if the Milwaukee Bucks star requests a trade this summer.There's a mutual interest shared between the Raptors and the nine-time All-Star, according to the <a href="https://www.thestar.com/sports/doug-smiths-sports-blog/raptors-mailbag-shai-gilgeous-alexander-vs-steve-nash-and-the-case-to-trade-for-giannis/article_9d14661b-c351-443e-ad2e-c8e22723ecea.html#:~:text=I%20don%E2%80%99t%20know%20if%20it%20will%20happen%20but%20I%20do%20know%20there%20is%20mutual%20interest%20between%20Antetokounmpo%20and%20the%20Raptors.%20The%20wild%20card%20is%20the%20cost.">Toronto Star's Doug Smith</a>, who posits that Toronto could entice Milwaukee with a trade package featuring some of its young players, as well as considerable draft compensation.Antetokounmpo has yet to make any decisions about his long-term future following Milwaukee's five-game, first-round series loss to the Indiana Pacers in late April. The Greek Freak is expected to sit down with Bucks ownership this offseason, but that meeting <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3292254" href="https://thescore.com/news/3292254">reportedly</a> had yet to happen as of Tuesday.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>Toronto, meanwhile, is supposedly hunting for a blockbuster acquisition. Teams around the league are under the belief that the Raptors are gearing up to try to trade for a "big fish" this summer, <a href="https://youtu.be/O0pe4YsI8qY?t=1314">ESPN's Brian Windhorst</a> said Sunday on "The Hoop Collective" podcast. However, it's unclear if Antetokounmpo is a priority for the Raptors' front office.Antetokounmpo is under contract through 2027-28, a season in which he'll hold an estimated $62.3-million player option. However, he <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3284641" href="https://thescore.com/news/3284641">reportedly</a> signaled in May that he's now open to considering his best fits outside Milwaukee with the Bucks in a difficult situation. <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/5343" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/5343">Damian Lillard</a> will likely miss a substantial portion of next season after tearing his Achilles in the Pacers series, potentially hamstringing Milwaukee's ability to be competitive in 2025-26.Further complicating matters is that a host of key Bucks rotation players could leave this summer. Veteran center <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/300" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/300">Brook Lopez</a> and shooting guard <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/60234" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/60234">Gary Trent Jr.</a> are impending free agents, while <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/30845" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/30845">Bobby Portis</a>, <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/11120" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/11120">Pat Connaughton</a>, and <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/70216" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/70216">Kevin Porter Jr.</a> all have player options.

TORONTO, ON - JANUARY 6: Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks holds Scottie Barnes #4 of the Toronto Raptors at the Scotiabank Arena on January 6, 2025 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement.

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Myles Turner believes the superteam era may be over.  After helping his Indiana Pacers defeat the...

<a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/37711" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/37711">Myles Turner</a> believes the superteam era may be over.After helping his Indiana Pacers defeat the New York Knicks on Saturday to win the Eastern Conference finals, the center cited similarities in roster construction and play style between the Pacers and their NBA Finals opponents, the Oklahoma City Thunder."It's a new blueprint for the league," Turner said, according to <a href="https://x.com/curlyfro/status/1929023439127404760">The Athletic's Shakeia Taylor</a>. "I think the years of the super teams ... it's not as effective as it once was.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>"The new trend now is just kind of what we're doing. OKC does the same thing. Young guys who get out and run and use the power of friendship."Oklahoma City and Indiana were among the top turnover punishers during the regular season, with the Thunder averaging a league-best 21.8 points per game off turnovers and the Pacers' 18.3 ranking 12th. Indiana was slightly more effective in transition, registering 17.5 fast-break points per contest (fifth in the NBA) to the Thunder's 16.1.However, both sides were adept at limiting those opportunities for opponents; the Thunder and Pacers held teams to just 12.3 and 13.2 fast-break points per game, respectively - the two best marks in the league.One of the multiple roster construction parallels between the sides involves franchise stars <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/60411" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/60411">Shai Gilgeous-Alexander</a> and <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/93893" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/93893">Tyrese Haliburton</a>.The two point guards were acquired via trade after brief stints with their first NBA teams. Gilgeous-Alexander played his rookie year with the Los Angeles Clippers before being sent to Oklahoma City in 2019. Haliburton, meanwhile, arrived in Indiana midway through his 2021-22 sophomore campaign after he'd played just 109 games in one-and-a-half seasons with the Sacramento Kings.Philadelphia 76ers wing <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/1889" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/1889">Paul George</a> had a significant role in the construction of both Finals contestants. After seven seasons in Indiana, George was traded to Oklahoma City for guard Victor Oladipo and center <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/38429" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/38429">Domantas Sabonis</a>. Two years later, the Clippers acquired George in the deal that sent Gilgeous-Alexander to Oklahoma City, while the Pacers flipped Sabonis to the Kings in the six-player swap that landed them Haliburton.Both franchises also took a leap with defensively skilled trade acquisitions in 2024. The Thunder pried <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/25024" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/25024">Alex Caruso</a> from the Chicago Bulls last June, while Indiana landed <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/39061" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/39061">Pascal Siakam</a> from the Toronto Raptors six months earlier in a three-team deal. Both Siakam and Caruso led their respective squads in defensive rating this regular season among players with at least 600 minutes.

OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA - MARCH 29: Myles Turner #33 of the Indiana Pacers shoots the ball during the second quarter against the Oklahoma City Thunder Paycom Center on March 29, 2025 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

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The Los Angeles Clippers are expected to be among the trade suitors for Boston Celtics guard Jrue...

The Los Angeles Clippers are expected to be among the trade suitors for Boston Celtics guard <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/383" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/383">Jrue Holiday</a> this summer, a source told <a href="https://www.masslive.com/celtics/2025/05/familiar-suitor-expected-to-show-interest-in-jrue-holiday-trade-with-celtics.html">MassLive's Brian Robb</a>.Holiday, 34, is reportedly expected to be targeted by several teams this offseason. The Celtics guard started 62 games in 2024-25, averaging 11.1 points, 4.3 rebounds, 3.9 assists, and 1.1 steals per game with shooting splits of 44.3/35.3/90.9. However, his impact is arguably greatest on defense; the Celtics' defensive rating was at its worst when Holiday was off the court (110.5 points per 100 possessions), and his 107.7 on-court mark was the second-best on Boston among players with at least 500 minutes.Boston is likely to seriously consider dealing Holiday as the franchise stares down one of the highest tax bills for any team in NBA history. Due to changes introduced by the most recent CBA, the Celtics are on course to pay over $280 million in luxury taxes next season, a figure that doesn't include the $227 million already penciled in for player salaries.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>Holiday is slated to earn $32.4 million in 2025-26, and Celtics star <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/52651" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/52651">Jayson Tatum</a> will miss a considerable portion of the season due to tearing his Achilles in these playoffs. Holiday is under contract through 2026-27 and holds a $37.2-million player option for 2027-28, making him an enticing option for contenders trying to supplement their rosters - and a simple solution for a Celtics front office that was <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3287345" href="https://thescore.com/news/3287345">reportedly</a> considering significant changes even before Tatum's long-term injury.For the Clippers, Holiday would add another experienced ball-handler and distributor to a club whose 25.2 assists per game last season ranked 23rd in the NBA. While he could start alongside <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/351" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/351">James Harden</a> in a similar role to that of <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/24864" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/24864">Kris Dunn</a> this year, Holiday could also offer the Clippers some insurance for Harden. The 35-year-old could elect to hit free agency if he turns down his $36.4-million player option for next season by the end of June.

LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 23: Jrue Holiday #4 of the Boston Celtics talks to James Harden #1 of the LA Clippers before the game on December 23, 2023 at Crypto.Com Arena in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2023 NBAE

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Report: Clippers interested in trading for Celtics' Holiday

The Big Dance could soon become The Bigger Dance.  NCAA president Charlie Baker said Thursday tha...

The Big Dance could soon become The Bigger Dance.NCAA president Charlie Baker said Thursday that he's aiming to expand the men's national basketball tournament from its current 68-team format for the upcoming 2026 edition."That would be the goal, to try and do this for next year. ... We've been talking about 72 and 76," he said during the Big 12 spring meetings, according to <a href="https://x.com/_DavidRumsey/status/1928092629868368256">David Rumsey of Front Office Sports</a>.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>The NCAA increased the number of teams competing in March Madness from 65 to 68 in 2011 with the introduction of the First Four. Prior to then, the overall field was set at 65, with the two lowest-ranked auto-bid schools squaring off in a single, opening-round game to determine who would advance to the main bracket as the 64th team. The implementation of the First Four was announced as part of a $10.8-million broadcasting rights deal signed with CBS and Turner Sports in 2010. That contract was initially set to expire in 2024 but all parties agreed in 2016 to extend it through 2032.Kansas head coach Bill Self is among the Division I coaches most familiar with March Madness. A two-time NCAA Tournament champion, he's also made the event every year it's been held since taking over the Jayhawks in 2003. Self suggested Wednesday that his fellow Big 12 coaches are receptive to the idea of tournament expansion but still need to agree on the details."There was a little bit that was brought forth, and the consensus among the coaches was - even though it was very little - was (that) we would be in favor of it," he told <a href="https://frontofficesports.com/big-12-mens-coaches-in-favor-of-expanding-march-madness/">Rumsey</a>."I don’t know the number we'd go to. But I do know that there's discussions about that."

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 29: A general view of Chase Center before a game between the Florida Gators and the Texas Tech Red Raiders in the Elite Eight round of the 2025 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament held at Chase Center on March 29, 2025 in San Francisco, California.

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The New York Knicks needed a historic effort to avoid going down 3-0 in the Eastern Conference fi...

The New York Knicks needed a historic effort to avoid going down 3-0 in the Eastern Conference finals. They got one.Tom Thibodeau's side erased a 20-point Indiana Pacers lead to win 106-100 in Game 3 on Sunday, cementing this year's Knicks as the only team to win three games in which it trailed by 20 or more points in a single postseason."In playoff basketball - I know you guys roll your eyes when I say 'No lead is safe,' but no lead is safe," Thibodeau <a href="https://www.x.com/NBATV/status/1926837843244069197">said</a> of his team's second-half turnaround. "Because I think with the 3-point shot, people make up ground quickly. The pace of the game. ... You see comebacks all the time. And if you let up just a little bit, that's what happens. So, you got to win games different ways.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>"Obviously, you prefer to play from a lead, but whatever it is that you have to do, that's what you have to do to get the win in the end. Going into the game, we talked about, 'You don't play the series, you play the games. Just focus in on what it takes to win tonight's game.' That's all we're thinking about."New York's other such comebacks this postseason both came against the Boston Celtics in the conference semifinals. After stunning Boston in overtime on its own floor in Game 1, the Knicks pulled off a second consecutive 20-point recovery to silence TD Garden again and return home with a 2-0 series lead.Center <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/37817" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/37817">Karl-Anthony Towns</a>, who only played five-and-a-half minutes in the fourth quarter of the Knicks' Game 2 loss, spearheaded their rally Sunday by scoring 20 of his 24 points and shooting 6-of-9, including 3-of-4 from deep, in the final frame."KAT, when he gets in that zone like that, it's gonna be tough to stop him," forward Mikal Bridges told media postgame, including <a href="https://x.com/sny_knicks/status/1926842998085534102">SNY</a>. "We needed every single point that he gave us in that fourth quarter."Game 4 tips off Tuesday in Indianapolis at 8 p.m. ET.

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - MAY 25: Head Coach Tom Thibodeau of the New York Knicks looks on during the game against the Indiana Pacers during Game 3 of the 2025 Eastern Conference Finals on May 25, 2025 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2025 NBAE

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Thibodeau stresses no playoff lead safe after Knicks' 20-point comeback

Karl-Anthony Towns played just under five-and-a-half minutes in the fourth quarter Friday as the ...

<a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/37817" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/37817">Karl-Anthony Towns</a> played just under five-and-a-half minutes in the fourth quarter Friday as the New York Knicks lost again at home to fall behind 2-0 to the Indiana Pacers in the Eastern Conference finals.Knicks head coach Tom Thibodeau said his belief in the team's lineup at the time was behind his decision to hold the starting center out longer than usual."We got in a hole, and then the group that was in there gave us a chance, so we were just riding that," Thibodeau said postgame, per <a href="https://x.com/sny_knicks/status/1926110670803628441">SNY</a>. "We were just searching for a way to win."<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>Towns, who finished a team-worst minus-20 in Game 2, started the fourth but checked out alongside reserve guard <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/31408" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/31408">Cameron Payne</a> after three minutes for <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/45223" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/45223">Jalen Brunson</a> and <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/46480" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/46480">OG Anunoby</a> with Indiana up 94-85. The Knicks immediately responded with a 9-3 run and kept the Pacers within five points for multiple possessions until <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/37711" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/37711">Myles Turner</a> and <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/93893" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/93893">Tyrese Haliburton</a> hit back-to-back threes as Indiana pulled away with four minutes to play.Towns eventually re-entered at the 2:25 mark with New York trailing by nine. The Knicks made it interesting late, but Towns went without a field goal in the final frame.The Knicks have dropped Games 1 and 2 at home for the first time in franchise history. They went down 2-0 in their last Eastern Conference finals appearance in 2000 - also against the Pacers - but responded with two wins in New York City before losing the series in six games.Towns and the Minnesota Timberwolves eliminated the Denver Nuggets in the second round last season despite losing three straight after taking a 2-0 series lead. He said Saturday he hopes to draw from his playoff experience to help lift the Knicks out of their current hole."If I've learned anything, especially last year, as quick as you win two games is as quick as you can lose two games," he <a href="https://x.com/sny_knicks/status/1926120359633289333">said</a>.

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MAY 21: Karl-Anthony Towns #32 of the New York Knicks reacts during the second quarter against the Indiana Pacers in Game One of the Eastern Conference Finals of the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Madison Square Garden on May 21, 2025 in New York City.

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Thibs explains KAT's sparse minutes in 4th: On-court group 'gave us a chance'

Oklahoma City Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander received some unexpected support Tuesday for h...

Oklahoma City Thunder star <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/60411" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/60411">Shai Gilgeous-Alexander</a> received some unexpected support Tuesday for his MVP case."He showed why he's the MVP," Malone, who joined ESPN as an analyst for the conference finals, said on the broadcast after the Thunder's 114-88 Game 1 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves. "He took over in the second half."Malone's comments will likely sting for Nuggets fans who hope to see star center <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/37604" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/37604">Nikola Jokic</a> win a fourth MVP honor. The Serbian center is again a finalist this season, along with Gilgeous-Alexander and Milwaukee Bucks forward <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/30611" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/30611">Giannis Antetokounmpo</a> - though the race is expected to come down to Jokic and Gilgeous-Alexander.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>The Nuggets fired Malone April 8 with just three games remaining in their regular season. The dismissal is tied for the latest in-season coaching change in NBA history. He was replaced by his top assistant, David Adelman, who took Denver to the second round where it lost to the Thunder in seven games.Malone first joined the Nuggets in 2015-16 in what was also Jokic's rookie campaign. The two spent 10 years together and were pivotal in Denver's 2023 championship, the only title in franchise history.

SALT LAKE CITY, UT - FEBRUARY 18: Head Coach Michael Malone of the Denver Nuggets and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander #2 of the Oklahoma City Thunder talk during NBA All-Star Practice presented by AT&T as part of 2023 NBA All Star Weekend on Saturday, February 18, 2023 at the Jon M. Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City, Utah. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2023 NBAE

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Ex-Nuggets coach Malone: SGA 'showed why' he's MVP vs. T-Wolves

Tennessee guard Zakai Zeigler filed a lawsuit Tuesday against the NCAA, arguing he should be perm...

Tennessee guard <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///ncaab/players/95843" href="https://thescore.com/ncaab/players/95843">Zakai Zeigler</a> filed a lawsuit Tuesday against the NCAA, arguing he should be permitted to play a fifth season, according to <a href="https://www.knoxnews.com/story/sports/college/university-of-tennessee/mens-basketball/2025/05/20/zakai-zeigler-lawsuit-ncaa-eligibility-tennessee-basketball-roster/83721786007/">Mike Wilson of the Knoxville News Sentinel</a>.The suit claims that Zeigler, who's played 138 games over four seasons with the Volunteers, should be eligible to play in the 2025-26 campaign because of an NCAA rule that permits players who redshirted a season to return for a fifth year. Zeigler's lawyers argue that, because student athletes are now eligible for compensation under NIL legislation, it's "unlawful" for the NCAA to restrict that fifth-year exception to players who sat out a previous campaign.With 2025-26 roster decisions already taking place, Zeigler is seeking a preliminary injunction that would immediately make the third-team All-American eligible to suit up next season while his case is reviewed.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>"(The fifth season is) the most lucrative year of the eligibility window for the vast majority of athletes," Zeigler's suit claims, according to Wilson. A study by Spyre Sports Group, a sports marketing agency, estimated Zeigler could earn up to $4 million in NIL compensation in 2025-26.Zeigler averaged 13.6 points and a team-high 7.4 assists as a senior, helping Tennessee get to the NCAA Tournament's Elite Eight for a second consecutive year. The 5-foot-9 guard led the SEC in assists per game every season after his freshman year, and his 747 career assists rank third in conference history behind former Ole Miss guard Sean Tuohy and Arkansas alumnus Kareem Reid.The NCAA provided all players impacted by the pandemic's disruption of the 2019-20 season with a blanket waiver for a fifth year. However, Zeigler didn't begin college play until 2021-22.

KNOXVILLE, TENNESSEE - JANUARY 28: Zakai Zeigler #5 of the Tennessee Volunteers looks on during the second half against the Kentucky Wildcats at Thompson-Boling Arena on January 28, 2025 in Knoxville, Tennessee.