May 27, 2025
Oklahoma City Thunder guard/forward
Jalen Williams bounced back from a tough Game 3 outing with a big 34-point effort in Monday's 128-126 Game 4 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves in the Western Conference Finals. With
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander putting up 40 points, the Thunder had their first duo in 11 years to each score 30-plus points in the same playoff contest. Williams did his work with 13-for-24 shooting, including a 6-for-9 performance from downtown. He led his team with three steals and recorded three rebounds with five assists. While Gilgeous-Alexander grabs the headlines, Williams continues to have a highly productive postseason in the background. In the series against the Timberwolves, he has averaged 23.0 points, 6.3 rebounds, 4.3 assists, and 2.3 steals.
--Taavi PailkSource: ESPN
May 27, 2025
Oklahoma City Thunder guard
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander returned to MVP form in Monday's Game 4 against the Minnesota Timberwolves, putting up a game-high 40 points on 13-for-30 shooting in a 128-126 win. After finishing a blowout loss in Game 3 with a season-low 14 points, Gilgeous-Alexander had the same amount of points racked up already in the first quarter. As usual, he was busy again at the free-throw line, going 12-for-14, and he finished with 2-for-7 shooting from outside. One more rebound would have given Gilgeous-Alexander a 40-point triple-double, as he collected nine boards with 10 assists and one steal. Gilgeous-Alexander had a disappointing night on Saturday, but he's enjoyed a productive series overall, averaging 30.8 points, 4.8 rebounds, 8.3 assists, and 1.8 steals.
--Taavi PailkSource: ESPN
May 27, 2025
Indiana Pacers forward
Aaron Nesmith (ankle) has been listed as questionable for Tuesday's Game 4 against the New York Knicks. Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle has said Nesmith will "likely" be a game-time decision for the contest. The 25-year-old is trying to overcome a right ankle sprain suffered in Sunday's Game 3 loss. Having Nesmith available would be crucial for the Pacers, as he is among the team's top defensive players and has shown incredible shooting efficiency in the postseason. Nesmith has fired in 53.5 percent of his triples in the playoffs, with his biggest performance coming in Game 1 against the Knicks, where he finished 8-for-9 from downtown. If Nesmith is unable to play Tuesday night,
Ben Sheppard and
Bennedict Mathurin will likely be called upon to take on more responsibilities.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
May 26, 2025
According to ESPN's Kevin Pelton, the Chicago Bulls and Brooklyn Nets are teams to watch as possible landing spots for Golden State Warriors forward
Jonathan Kuminga. It's widely known the Nets will have plenty of money to spend this offseason. However, Chicago's situation is more complicated, so a sign-and-trade scenario could be in play, with the Bulls sending center
Nikola Vucevic to Golden State. Kuminga, who will be a restricted free agent, averaged 15.3 points, 4.6 boards, and 2.2 assists in 47 appearances last season. Unfortunately, he fell out of the rotation throughout most of the postseason, so it seems the front office may be ready to move on. At any rate, the 22-year-old should see a substantial uptick in production in Brooklyn and Chicago. On the other hand, Kuminga's ceiling won't be as high if he stays with the Warriors, especially with
Jimmy Butler III and
Stephen Curry on the roster.
--Dennis ClausenSource: Kevin Pelton
May
26,
2025
According
to
ESPN's
Kevin
Pelton,
the
Philadelphia
76ers
may
have
a
tougher
time
retaining
restricted
free-agent
guard/forward
Quentin
Grimes.
Philly
has
the
No.
3
overall
pick
in
the
2025
NBA
Draft,
and
the
team
is
already
operating
read more...
May 25, 2025
New York Knicks center
Mitchell Robinson might start in Sunday's postseason meeting with Indiana.
Karl-Anthony Towns hasn't looked the best, especially on the defensive end. As a result, head coach Tom Thibodeau may need Robinson in the middle, with KAT potentially sliding over to the four spot, similar to the role he played in his final few seasons in Minnesota. Robinson has averaged only 4.0 points in the first two games of the Eastern Conference Finals. However, he has logged 8.5 rebounds and 2.0 blocks per contest. If the 27-year-old finds himself in the starting lineup, he'll likely see a surge in attention from DFS managers. Unfortunately,
Josh Hart may have a tough time being as productive as usual, considering he is anticipated to move to the bench.
--Dennis ClausenSource: Ian Begley
May 24, 2025
Indiana Pacers center
Myles Turner scored 16 points in Friday's playoff victory over New York. The 2015 No. 11 overall pick shined in the previous series versus the Cleveland Cavaliers. However, he hasn't been nearly as potent against the Knicks, averaging 15.0 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 25.0% shooting from downtown, all down from the Conference semifinals. With
Mitchell Robinson in the mix and dominating the glass, head coach Rick Carlisle may need more size underneath the rim in Game 3, meaning Turner might sit more on Sunday.
--Dennis ClausenSource: ESPN
May 23, 2025
Indiana Pacers forward
Pascal Siakam had a game-high 39 points in the Game 2 win over the Knicks. He added five boards, three assists, and one steal. The veteran struggled shooting in Game 1. However, things were different this time around, with Siakam going 15-for-23 from the field and 3-for-5 from downtown. The Knicks had trouble keeping up with the Pacers' speedy offensive approach, and Siakam took full advantage. With the Knicks dropping both games at home to begin the series, the Pacers will look for another win on Sunday in Indiana. In two games against New York at home during the regular season, Siakam averaged 19.0 points and 6.5 boards. Although he struggled from the field in those contests, he shot an efficient 41.7% from behind the arc.
--Dennis ClausenSource: ESPN
May 23, 2025
Indiana Pacers guard
Tyrese Haliburton had a 14-point, 11-assist double-double in Friday's playoff win over the Knicks. The 25-year-old was the hero in Game 1. However, he wasn't as productive in this one. Haliburton also had trouble finding the bottom of the net, going 3-for-10 from downtown. He at least made up for it by securing eight rebounds, his second-highest mark of the postseason. With Indiana stealing Games 1 and 2 on the road, both teams will head to Gainbridge Fieldhouse for Game 3 on Sunday. Haliburton averaged 25.5 points, 11.0 assists, and 3.5 boards in two games versus the Knicks in Indiana during the regular season.
--Dennis ClausenSource: ESPN
May 23, 2025
New York Knicks center
Karl-Anthony Towns scored 20 points in Friday's loss to Indiana. KAT had 35 points in Game 1. However, he cooled off in this one, sinking only 42.9% of his attempts from the field. Towns also had issues on the glass, pulling down seven boards, his fewest since Game 2 of the Conference quarterfinals versus the Detroit Pistons. The Knicks dropped both games at home to begin the series, so the team will look to pick up a win on Sunday at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Towns thrived in two appearances in Indiana during the regular season, averaging 35.0 points, 10.5 rebounds, and 38.5% shooting from downtown.
--Dennis ClausenSource: ESPN
May 23, 2025
New York Knicks guard
Jalen Brunson had a team-high 36 points in Friday's postseason loss to the Pacers. He added 11 assists, three boards, and one steal. The former Maverick led his team in scoring once again. Unfortunately, his efforts weren't enough, with the Knicks dropping Games 1 and 2 on their home court. New York will look to turn things around in Game 3 on Sunday. In two games at Gainbridge Fieldhouse during the regular season, Brunson averaged 20.5 points, 8.5 assists, and 4.0 rebounds while shooting 33.3% from behind the arc. However, he has been more aggressive on the offensive end during this series, so there's a good chance he'll be more productive.
--Dennis ClausenSource: ESPN
May 22, 2025
New York Knicks forward
OG Anunoby filled the box score in Game 1 against the Indiana Pacers on Wednesday night, recording 16 points, three rebounds, two assists, three steals, and three blocks in a 138-135 overtime loss. The 2019 NBA champion was impactful at both ends of the floor, although Anunoby's shooting struggles continued with a 6-for-15 effort from the field, which included a 2-for-8 showing from downtown. His shooting efficiency has dropped to 39.7 percent during the postseason, leading to inconsistent performances on the offensive end. Still, the Knicks can always rely on Anunoby for high-level defense, which has kept him on the floor for an average of 40.2 minutes per game in the playoffs.
--Taavi PailkSource: ESPN
May 22, 2025
New York Knicks forward/center
Karl-Anthony Towns finished Wednesday's 138-135 overtime loss to the Indiana Pacers with 35 points and 12 rebounds, shooting 11-for-17 from the field. He was also busy at the free-throw line, going 9-for-11, and hit 4-for-8 from three-point land. Towns capped off his line with two assists, one steal, and one block. New York's star big man reached the 30-point plateau for the second time this postseason and recorded his eighth double-double in nine games. However, he will be disappointed not to have left the court on the winning side. Towns may have to do even more in the upcoming games for the Knicks to keep up with Indiana in the series.
--Taavi PailkSource: ESPN
May 22, 2025
New York Knicks point guard
Jalen Brunson notched 43 points on 15-for-25 shooting in Wednesday's clash against the Indiana Pacers but still ended up on the losing side, as his team blew a big fourth-quarter lead to drop Game 1 of the Conference Finals 138-135 in overtime. Brunson's lone three-point basket of the night gave New York a 119-105 lead with 2:51 to go in the fourth quarter, but Pacers forward
Aaron Nesmith exploded from downtown with several makes, leading to an embarrassing collapse for the Knicks on their home court. En route to his second 40-point effort this postseason, Brunson also did a lot of damage at the charity stripe, going 12-for-14. He had one rebound and five assists but committed seven turnovers. The Knicks now find themselves in an uncomfortable spot in the series, yet they always have a chance to win a game with Brunson, who averages 29.9 points and 7.5 assists for the playoffs.
--Taavi PailkSource: ESPN
May 22, 2025
Indiana Pacers forward/center
Pascal Siakam had a tough time hitting shots in Wednesday's 138-135 overtime win in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals against the New York Knicks. He went 7-for-16 from the field, missing both of his attempts from deep. However, the Cameroonian star still produced a decent fantasy line, notching 17 points, five rebounds, six assists, and two steals in a team-high 43 minutes. Siakam's shooting woes robbed him of an opportunity to record a third consecutive 20-point effort. Still, it was a good showing from him, and considering Siakam has shot 53.5 percent for the entire postseason, there is a strong chance he will do better in Friday's Game 2.
--Taavi PailkSource: ESPN
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