Falcons

The Indiana Pacers struck first in the 2025 NBA Finals, taking Game 1 against the Oklahoma City Thunder after an improbable comeback in the 4th quarter clinched by a game-winning jumper from Tyrese Haliburton. While the series is far from over, Game 1 offered plenty of early lessons and adjustments to look out for in the coming games.
<h3>Turnovers, turnovers, turnovers</h3>
If there&rsquo;s one thing you can&rsquo;t do against the Thunder, it&rsquo;s turn the ball over. Oklahoma City isn&rsquo;t just elite in forcing turnovers &ndash; they&rsquo;re historically good. Game 1 was a harsh introduction for Indiana, who coughed up possession far too many times against a team designed to feast off mistakes &ndash; 24 of them to be exact.
OKC&rsquo;s perimeter defenders, from Alex Caruso to Jalen Williams to Lu Dort and Cason Wallace, excel at reading passing lanes and applying pressure without fouling. The Thunder swarmed Indiana&rsquo;s offense, collapsing on drives and disrupting flow. Their rotations were sharp, their closeouts disciplined, and their ability to generate live-ball turnovers turned defense into instant offense.
Given that this was Indiana&rsquo;s first Finals appearance in decades, some early jitters were expected. The energy inside Paycom Center was relentless, and the Pacers' miscues snowballed under pressure. Although they won Game 1 by a hair, moving forward the Pacers need to prioritize clean possessions and limit turnovers if they want a real shot at winning the series. Because let&rsquo;s be real, the Thunder are still heavy favorites despite squandering Game 1. Improved composure and better decision-making, especially from their lead ball handlers, will be key.
<h3>Too much space for the MVP</h3>
Indiana&rsquo;s defensive game plan allowed Shai Gilgeous-Alexander far too much room to operate. The newly crowned MVP carved up the defense with his signature patience, gliding into open mid-range jumpers and attacking downhill with minimal resistance. Time and again, he found the pockets of space he thrives in. SGA scored an astounding 38 points in his Finals debut, and Indiana should do a better job in crowding him and showing him bodies.
SGA&rsquo;s ability to control tempo is what makes him so difficult to guard. He's never rushed. He plays at his own pace, decelerating into stepbacks or slithering into floaters. In Game 1, Indiana gave him too much cushion and failed to show enough help at the point of attack.
To slow him down, the Pacers must adjust their coverage. They need to crowd his space, get physical, and throw multiple bodies at him. Blitzing pick-and-rolls, shading help early, and forcing the ball out of his hands should be top priorities. OKC&rsquo;s supporting cast is capable, but Indiana has to be willing to gamble by making others beat them. As it stands, SGA is getting exactly what he wants.
<h3>Bench scoring advantage</h3>
One area Indiana clearly won in Game 1 was bench production. Obi Toppin led the way with 17 points, including five made threes, providing crucial spacing and energy. His timely shooting helped the Pacers keep pace, particularly during stretches when their starters were stagnant.
TJ McConnell was equally impactful, igniting the Pacers&rsquo; second unit with relentless pace and dribble penetration. Whether pushing off makes or misses, McConnell kept OKC on their heels and helped Indiana stay within striking distance. His ability to find seams in the defense and collapse the Thunder&rsquo;s perimeter gave Indiana a much-needed offensive spark.
The Thunder, on the other hand, didn&rsquo;t get much juice from their reserves offensively aside from Isaiah Hartenstein. While their rotation depth helped defensively, the scoring disparity off the bench could be something to monitor as the series progresses. If Indiana&rsquo;s bench can continue to outperform OKC&rsquo;s, it could swing the momentum in tighter contests.
<h3>Rotation chess match</h3>
Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault made some eyebrow-raising rotation decisions in Game 1. Most notably, he started Cason Wallace over Isaiah Hartenstein, opting for a smaller, switch-heavy group designed to disrupt Indiana&rsquo;s ball movement and prevent easy driving lanes.
The Thunder rarely used their double-big lineups, instead rotating between Hartenstein and Chet Holmgren at center while leaning into versatility and perimeter defense. At times, Daigneault even deployed a one-forward, four-guard setup &ndash; and in a few stints, a full five-guard lineup. The strategy prioritized switchability and speed, key components in disrupting Indiana&rsquo;s flow.
Daigneault went deep into his bench, using 11 players in total. The most surprising cameo came from rookie Ajay Mitchell, who logged a 4&ndash;5 minute stretch early in the second quarter. Mitchell went scoreless on 0-of-3 shooting and finished with a -3, which showed Daigneault&rsquo;s willingness to trust his young talent &ndash; even on the Finals stage. While it didn&rsquo;t pay dividends on the scoreboard, the experience could prove valuable if Mitchell&rsquo;s number is called again later in the series. However, with everything on the line and at stake, Daigneault must choose between developing and going all in and trust the veterans to win games for OKC.
On the other side, Rick Carlisle pushed all the right buttons. Thomas Bryant and Ben Sheppard delivered timely contributions, defending well and knocking down big shots. Carlisle staggered minutes well, ensuring McConnell and Toppin had favorable matchups. His ability to read the game and make real-time adjustments helped Indiana stay competitive despite the turnover woes.
<h3>Final thoughts</h3>
Game 1 gave us a glimpse of how Oklahoma City&rsquo;s swarming defense and MVP-led offense can control the tempo of this series. Their blend of length, athleticism, and discipline on defense creates chaos, while SGA&rsquo;s poise and scoring gravity center everything on offense. But it also showed Indiana has the bench depth, coaching flexibility, and offensive firepower to respond.
Expect the Pacers to clean up their turnovers and tweak their coverage on Gilgeous-Alexander heading into Game 2. They'll need to impose more physicality on defense and continue winning the bench battle. If they can take better care of the ball and throw OKC off rhythm, this series has the potential to get very interesting.
The chess match has only just begun.

Discover key takeaways from Game 1 of the 2025 NBA Finals between the Thunder and Pacers, what we learned from each team.

Thunder-Pacers Game 1 Takeaways: What we learned from the NBA Finals opener

Game 4 of the Western Conference Finals between the Oklahoma City Thunder and Minnesota Timberwolves is shaping up to be a defining moment in the series. With the Thunder up 2-1, the stakes are sky-high: a win would give Oklahoma City a commanding 3-1 lead and the chance to close out the series at home in Game 5. A Timberwolves victory, however, would tie the series and tilt momentum squarely in Minnesota&rsquo;s favor heading back to Oklahoma City. For both teams, Game 4 is a must-win, not just to improve their series odds but to psychologically establish control.
The Thunder have already demonstrated their potential dominance, capturing Games 1 and 2 behind strong defensive play and the leadership of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. But their 42-point Game 3 loss &ndash; the franchise&rsquo;s worst in playoff history &ndash; shattered that narrative and gave Minnesota a jolt of confidence. Although it did not necessarily expose weaknesses that had been masked in earlier games, the Thunder are back in the drawing board.
Minnesota, meanwhile, needed that Game 3 win not just to stay alive in the series but to prove to themselves that they could crack Oklahoma City&rsquo;s defensive shell. Anthony Edwards&rsquo; explosive performance and a more balanced offensive attack were central to their blowout victory. The Timberwolves now face the challenge of sustaining that energy and focus, particularly in a pressure-filled Game 4 where every possession could shift the series balance.
<h3>The Thunder's adjustments:</h3>
Rekindling energy and intensity
Perhaps the most glaring issue in Game 3 was Oklahoma City&rsquo;s lack of energy from the opening tip. The Thunder were outscored 34-14 in the first quarter, and the deficit ballooned quickly. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander admitted postgame that the team simply didn&rsquo;t match Minnesota&rsquo;s intensity. That kind of mental and physical lapse is especially surprising for a young, energetic team known for playing with urgency.
The Thunder have typically prided themselves on their fast starts and emotional edge, with their crowd feeding off their hustle. To correct this, Daigneault may need to emphasize establishing their pace and transition offense early in Game 4. Perhaps a quick substitution pattern or a motivational shift in pregame preparation could help reignite that spark. If they come out flat again, Minnesota is likely to capitalize with another early run.
It&rsquo;s not just about emotion &ndash; focus matters as well. The Thunder committed costly early turnovers and allowed second-chance points, putting themselves in a hole they could never climb out of. The best adjustment may simply be a mindset shift: play like your back is against the wall, because in a Western Conference Finals, it always is. How Oklahoma City starts Game 4 will set the tone for the rest of the series.
Containing Minnesota's role players
While Anthony Edwards and Julius Randle were expected to be focal points, Oklahoma City was undone in Game 3 by Minnesota&rsquo;s role players. Rookie Terrence Shannon Jr. chipped in 15 points, including aggressive attacks to the rim and timely threes; while others like Naz Reid and Nickeil Alexander-Walker provided scoring bursts and defensive energy. The Thunder defense, which was so stifling in Games 1 and 2, was repeatedly caught off guard by Minnesota&rsquo;s bench guys.
This speaks to a deeper issue: defensive rotations and scouting. The Thunder&rsquo;s game plan had revolved around containing stars, but it left openings for corner threes and off-ball cuts that the Wolves&rsquo; bench exploited. Oklahoma City needs to tighten its weak side help defense and better communicate on switches. Lu Dort, Jalen Williams, and Cason Wallace will be vital in applying consistent pressure without over-helping.
One way to limit role players is to reduce their rhythm opportunities. That means rebounding better to end possessions, pushing the pace to limit halfcourt sets, and closing out with discipline. If OKC can neutralize Minnesota&rsquo;s bench and force Edwards and Randle to shoulder a heavier load, it could wear down the Wolves&rsquo; stars by the fourth quarter, a strategy that worked in Game 1 and 2.
Improving perimeter shooting
Oklahoma City&rsquo;s offense lives and dies by its ability to stretch the floor. In Game 3, they shot just 31.8% from beyond the arc &ndash; a drastic drop from their efficiency in Games 1 and 2. Jalen Williams and Isaiah Joe struggled to find clean looks, and the Wolves' perimeter defense closed out effectively. Without reliable spacing, Gilgeous-Alexander found it harder to penetrate and create.
Part of the problem was the Thunder&rsquo;s shot selection. Forced into late-clock attempts and contested threes, the ball movement that had fueled earlier wins stagnated. To fix this, OKC needs to reestablish its rhythm offense &ndash; using drives to kick out for open looks, and involving secondary playmakers and other bench guys like Aaron Wiggins to diversify the attack.
Hitting threes doesn&rsquo;t just boost the scoreboard &ndash; it changes the geometry of the court. If the Thunder regain their shooting stroke, it will pull Minnesota&rsquo;s defenders out of the paint and re-open driving lanes for SGA and Williams. A return to form from deep could be the single biggest factor in tilting Game 4 in Oklahoma City&rsquo;s favor.
<h3>The Wolves&rsquo; strategies:</h3>
Sustaining Anthony Edwards' Momentum
Anthony Edwards looked every bit the franchise superstar in Game 3, tallying 30 points in 30 minutes and setting the tone from the jump. His ability to attack in transition, create off the dribble, and knock down tough perimeter shots overwhelmed a Thunder defense that had kept him in check in some ways. But maintaining that level is the challenge.
Edwards has shown a tendency in past series to oscillate between brilliance and passivity. Minnesota needs him to be aggressive from the start of Game 4, particularly if OKC makes early adjustments to double or trap him. His decision-making, when to attack and when to pass, will dictate how the Thunder rotate defensively and could open up looks for teammates.
The other piece is Edwards&rsquo; defense. He played with renewed intensity in Game 3, helping disrupt OKC&rsquo;s ball movement and forcing turnovers that led to easy buckets. If he can continue to influence the game on both ends, he&rsquo;ll force Daigneault into tough matchup decisions. For the Timberwolves to even the series, they need their superstar to be the best player on the floor.
Consistency from Randle and McDaniels
Julius Randle gave Minnesota a much-needed offensive anchor in Game 3, finishing with 24 points and providing a physical counter to Chet Holmgren inside. His post-ups, face-up jumpers, and second-chance finishes is a powerful layer to the Wolves&rsquo; attack. It was a bounce back game after Randle&rsquo;s abysmal Game 2 performance, and consistency remains the key as we go deeper into the series.
Randle needs to continue exploiting mismatches &ndash; especially when the Thunder switch or play smaller lineups. If he can draw fouls and get to the line, it slows the pace and allows Minnesota to control tempo. Moreover, his ability to make quick reads as a passer will be crucial if OKC sends double-teams or crowds the paint.
McDaniels, meanwhile, doesn&rsquo;t need to score 20 points to be effective, but his timely threes and cutting lanes open up the floor. His primary value has come on defense, particularly in his effort to contain Gilgeous-Alexander. If he can provide his usual 10-12, 15 points while locking down one of OKC&rsquo;s stars, he becomes an x-factor that Oklahoma City has to account for every minute he&rsquo;s on the floor.
Bench production
The unsung hero in Minnesota&rsquo;s Game 3 romp was the bench unit. Terrence Shannon Jr. gave the Wolves a jolt with his confident scoring, while veteran Mike Conley played with the bench and helped steady the second unit. That depth allowed head coach Chris Finch to rest his starters earlier, preserving legs for what promises to be a grueling Game 4.
The Timberwolves&rsquo; bench not only scored, but also brought energy and defensive intensity. They helped build on the lead rather than merely maintain it&mdash;a luxury most teams don&rsquo;t have this deep into the playoffs. If players like Shannon, Reid, DiVincenzo, and Alexander-Walker continue producing, Minnesota can survive short lulls from their stars without losing ground.
What&rsquo;s more, the Wolves&rsquo; bench success forces OKC to go deeper into its rotation, potentially exposing weaknesses. The ability to trust non-starters with meaningful minutes is often the difference between a championship and a playoff exit. Minnesota&rsquo;s bench has a chance to turn this series around if they replicate their Game 3 performance.
&ndash; &ndash; &ndash;
Game 4 will test both teams' resolve, adaptability, and poise under pressure. The Thunder are eager to erase the sting of a 40-point loss and reestablish dominance. The Timberwolves are riding high but know they can&rsquo;t afford a letdown. Whoever best applies these adjustments and wins the intangible battles &ndash; energy, focus, composure &ndash; will walk off the court with the series edge and momentum heading into Game 5.

Game 4 of the 2025 Western Conference Finals is pivotal as the Thunder and the Wolves battle for control.

2025 NBA Playoffs: Key adjustments as Thunder, Timberwolves aim to take control

The 2025 Western Conference Semifinals between the Oklahoma City Thunder and Denver Nuggets have lived up to the hype, with the series knotted at 2-2. As the teams prepare for a crucial Game 5 in Oklahoma City, both squads face pressing questions and necessary adjustments to gain the upper hand. With a trip to the Western Conference Finals on the line, every possession, coaching decision, and hustle play will matter more than ever.
-- -- --
Thunder's path to regaining control
Assert themselves on the boards
The Thunder&rsquo;s lack of consistent rebounding has emerged as one of their most glaring weaknesses in this series. Despite boasting athletic bigs and switchable wings, they&rsquo;ve repeatedly been outmuscled on the glass by Denver&rsquo;s physical frontcourt led by Nikola Jokic and Aaron Gordon. The Nuggets have often out-rebounded the Thunder, securing offensive boards that led to multiple second-chance scoring opportunities. Those extra possessions have proven costly for OKC in close games.
Part of the issue stems from the Thunder often playing smaller lineups, which prioritize speed and switchability over size and physicality. While that identity served them well in the regular season, playoff basketball demands toughness in the paint. Oklahoma City will need to play more of Chet Holmgren and Isaiah Hartenstein to go up against Jokic and Gordon, and commit more to boxing out and crashing the boards. Their guards must also help secure long rebounds and quickly push the ball in transition, turning defensive stops into offensive chances.
To win Game 5 and take control of the series, the Thunder cannot afford to give the Nuggets repeated second opportunities. Rebounding isn&rsquo;t just about size, it&rsquo;s about desire, positioning, and timing. If OKC can neutralize Denver&rsquo;s rebounding edge and limit their putback chances, it could be a decisive swing factor on their home floor.
Rediscover offensive fluidity
Oklahoma City has struggled to find its usual offensive rhythm over the past two games. The Thunder's offense is built on movement, ball-sharing, and improvisation &ndash; playing freely with joy and confidence. But as the series has worn on and the physicality has ramped up, OKC has looked more rigid and hesitant, settling for tough isolation plays instead of generating quality looks through movement.
In Games 3 and 4, Denver&rsquo;s defense disrupted OKC&rsquo;s pace by pressing up on ball-handlers and switching effectively on screens. The Thunder have sometimes become overly reliant on Shai Gilgeous-Alexander to bail them out in late-clock situations. While SGA is an elite shot-creator, Oklahoma City&rsquo;s offense thrives most when all five players are involved. Getting back to their roots &ndash; cutting off the ball, pushing in transition, and trusting each other&rsquo;s instincts &ndash; can unlock the offensive flow that&rsquo;s been missing.
Reclaiming that offensive identity also means trusting players like Cason Wallace and Isaiah Joe to take open shots and make quick decisions. Jalen Williams, who has flashed brilliance at times, must stay aggressive and attack mismatches. If the Thunder return to playing free and fearless, as they did in their Game 2 blowout win, they&rsquo;ll be much harder to guard and far more dangerous heading into a pivotal Game 5.
MVP-caliber performance from Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
While SGA has delivered solid numbers throughout the series, Oklahoma City needs a transcendent Game 5 performance from their MVP candidate. Through four games, Gilgeous-Alexander is averaging 28.8 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 5.8 assists &ndash; but his impact hasn&rsquo;t always translated to late-game success. Denver has thrown multiple defenders at him, forcing tough midrange shots and limiting his trips to the free-throw line. For OKC to thrive, SGA must assert himself early and often, controlling the tempo and creating high-quality looks for both himself and his teammates.
This is the kind of moment where MVPs rise above the game plan. Whether it's hunting mismatches, collapsing the defense to kick out to shooters, or making timely defensive plays, SGA has the tools to take over. In Game 2, his 33-point performance was a reminder of what he&rsquo;s capable of when he&rsquo;s in attack mode and dictating the pace. The Thunder need that version of Shai to show up again in Game 5.
It&rsquo;s also about leadership. This young Thunder team looks to SGA not just for scoring, but for composure and direction in critical moments. With the home crowd behind him and the series on the line, this is his opportunity to put a stamp on his MVP-caliber season and carry his team one step closer to a conference finals berth.
Nuggets' strategies to steal Game 5
Elevate Nikola Jokic&rsquo;s impact
Nikola Jokic has not been his usual dominant self across all four games. While he&rsquo;s still managed to put up triple-doubles and impact the game in subtle ways, the Thunder have made him work harder than usual with their quick double teams and constant help defense. In Game 4, Jokic finished with 22 points on just 9-of-22 shooting&mdash;a rare inefficient night for the two-time MVP. For the Nuggets to win on the road, Jokic must return to the ultra-efficient playmaker and scorer who lifts everyone around him.
One adjustment could be to get Jokic more touches at the elbow and the top of the key, where he can orchestrate Denver&rsquo;s offense without dealing with immediate post pressure. From those areas, he can see the floor better and exploit mismatches or cutters. Additionally, running more two-man actions with Jamal Murray or Aaron Gordon could help relieve pressure and force OKC to defend multiple threats simultaneously.
Jokic&rsquo;s presence alone bends defenses, but when he&rsquo;s assertive and efficient, it unlocks the Nuggets&rsquo; full offensive potential. Denver will need their franchise cornerstone to set the tone with physicality, precision, and poise in the hostile OKC environment of Game 5.
Improved Three-Point shooting
The Nuggets&rsquo; offensive success often correlates with their outside shooting. In the games where they&rsquo;ve played, Denver pulled away with convincing wins. But when the shots haven&rsquo;t fallen, their offense has looked sluggish and overly reliant on Jokic or Murray to create something late in the shot clock. Getting back to crisp ball movement and creating open looks from the perimeter is a priority heading into Game 5.
Michael Porter Jr. and Christian Braun must convert the clean looks they&rsquo;re getting. Porter, in particular, has the shooting gravity to stretch OKC&rsquo;s defense and create spacing for Jokic&rsquo;s interior play. Even Aaron Gordon&rsquo;s willingness to take open threes can help Denver keep defenders honest. Making threes forces OKC to chase and rotate, which opens up driving lanes and cutting opportunities that Denver thrives on.
Expect head coach David Adelman to emphasize early ball reversals and inside-out play to generate quality three-point chances. If Denver shoots well from deep, it could swing momentum and silence the Paycom Center crowd in what promises to be a raucous Game 5 environment.
Boost bench production
In tight playoff matchups, bench production often makes the difference. For Denver, the second unit has been a mixed bag this series. They have a particularly shallow bench led by Russell Westbrook and Peyton Watson, and the Nuggets need consistent contributions from both of them to keep pace with OKC&rsquo;s energetic rotations.
The key is maintaining offensive rhythm and defensive intensity when Jokic sits. Braun&rsquo;s ability to defend, rebound, and finish in transition adds a valuable spark. Westbrook&rsquo;s experience and steady playmaking can provide structure when Murray rests. And Watson&rsquo;s length and athleticism make him a disruptive presence on both ends. Each of them must be ready to seize the moment in what could be the turning point of the series.
Adelman might also consider tightening his rotation or staggering starters more effectively to ensure a balance of scoring and defense. With so much on the line, every possession from the bench unit carries weight. If Denver&rsquo;s reserves can sustain leads &ndash; or even swing momentum &ndash; it could give them the edge they need to take Game 5 on the road.
-- -- --
As Game 5 approaches, the series hangs in the balance. Both teams have demonstrated resilience and adaptability, but only one can emerge with a crucial win to take control. The adjustments made and executed in this game will likely determine who advances and who faces an offseason of questions. In a battle between the Thunder and the Nuggets, Game 5 promises to be a war of wills, strategy, and superstar moments.

With the 2025 NBA Playoffs series tied 2-2, the Oklahoma City Thunder and Denver Nuggets prepare for a pivotal Game 5.

2025 NBA Playoffs: Key adjustments as Thunder, Nuggets look to seize series

A huge confidence booster for the Cavs as they take care of business in the first round, and the real fight that begins now
The Cleveland Cavaliers didn&rsquo;t just win their first-round playoff series against the Miami Heat &ndash; they obliterated them. With a dominant four-game sweep that featured historic blowouts, overwhelming defense, and total control from tip to buzzer, the Cavaliers emphatically showed that the version of themselves they teased throughout the regular season wasn&rsquo;t a mirage. It was a warning shot &ndash; and it just became deafeningly real.
Their 55-point Game 4 win &ndash; a 118-63 dismantling &ndash; capped off a sweep that ended with a record-setting +122 point differential, the most lopsided series margin in NBA playoff history. This was not just about moving on to the next round; it was about announcing themselves as a legitimate championship contender.
Cleveland&rsquo;s 55-point win in Game 4 is now the fourth-largest blowout in NBA postseason history, trailing only a pair of 58-point wins (Minneapolis Lakers over the St. Louis Hawks in 1956 and Denver Nuggets over the New Orleans Hornets in 2009), and a 56-point Lakers victory over Golden State in 1973.
But it wasn&rsquo;t just one game. Over the course of the four-game sweep, Cleveland posted wins of 26, 31, 10, and finally 55 points &ndash; a combined margin of 122 &ndash; obliterating the previous record for point differential in a four-game sweep. The Cavaliers did not merely win &ndash; they dominated wire-to-wire in every game, showcasing what their ceiling looks like when everything is firing.
Game 4 alone was a demolition. Cleveland led 72-33 at halftime, a 39-point margin that now ranks as the third-largest halftime lead in playoff history. The only ones greater? Cleveland themselves, when they led Boston by 41 at the break in the 2017 Eastern Conference Finals, and Detroit&rsquo;s 40-point halftime lead over Washington in 1987.
Even zooming out, this series was a statistical masterclass from the Cavaliers. According to NBA Advanced Stats:
-Cleveland posted a Net Rating of +30.1 across the series, a figure that dwarfs any other playoff team this postseason.
-They held the Heat to just 84.5 points per game, nearly 20 points below Miami&rsquo;s season average.
-The Cavaliers shot 50.6% from the field and 40.1% from three, compared to Miami&rsquo;s 38.9% and 29.3%, respectively.
-Cleveland averaged 27.0 assists per game to Miami&rsquo;s 17.8, displaying a level of ball movement and offensive flow that few teams have matched this postseason.
Business has been handled. So now the real fight begins.
All year long, Cleveland&rsquo;s potential was obvious. With a core of Donovan Mitchell, Darius Garland, Evan Mobley, and Jarrett Allen, surrounded by improved role play from Max Strus, Ty Jerome, and DeAndre Hunter, the Cavaliers have all the tools to go all the way.
But questions remained about how their success would translate into the playoffs. Last year&rsquo;s second-round exit to the Boston Celtics was still fresh. The physicality, half-court execution, and decision-making under pressure were areas they needed to grow in.
This series, they answered that challenge &ndash; and then some.
Donovan Mitchell was at the center of it all. More than the numbers, he set the tone early in each game &ndash; attacking mismatches, creating for teammates, and leading vocally. His postseason experience was a stabilizing force for a group that needed to put its demons behind it.
Mobley and Allen were defensively dominant, forming a wall inside the paint that Miami couldn&rsquo;t break. Mobley, in particular, showcased improved patience and poise, while switching onto smaller guards without giving up ground.
Garland&rsquo;s playmaking improved each game. Strus, Jerome, and Hunter gave consistent scoring off the bench. And head coach Kenny Atkinson seemed to push every right button with rotations, defensive matchups, and timely adjustments.
The sweep wasn&rsquo;t just a win. It was the Cavaliers taking care of business, as a great team should, against a depleted Heat squad that sorely missed superstar Jimmy Butler. The focus, intensity, and killer instinct on display showed a team that has grown from its failures and is ready to embrace the expectations that come with being a serious contender.
After a sweep of this magnitude, the conversation shifts. No longer is Cleveland simply a &ldquo;dangerous dark horse.&rdquo; This team should now be mentioned in the same breath as Boston as a favorite to come out of the Eastern Conference, especially with their defense and depth clicking at the right time.
It&rsquo;s not just about who they beat, but how they did it. Their suffocating defense held Miami under 90 points in three of four games. Their offense was fluid, unselfish, and versatile. And their stars stepped up, consistently.
The next round will bring a tougher opponent in the Indiana Pacers, one with more firepower and fewer injuries. But if this version of the Cavaliers shows up &ndash; the one that plays with precision, aggression, and unshakable confidence &ndash; then the rest of the league needs to take notice.
Because what Cleveland just did wasn&rsquo;t an outlier, it was a warning. The real fight begins now. And the Cavaliers look ready for war.

The Cleveland Cavaliers didn’t just win their first-round playoff series against the Miami Heat – they obliterated them.

Cleveland’s statement sweep of Miami cements title aspirations

As the 2025 NBA Playoffs begin, the Western Conference presents no shortage of compelling narratives and unanswered questions. Each team comes in with a storyline that could define their entire postseason. From young squads making their playoff debut to experienced rosters led by superstars, here's the biggest question facing each Western Conference playoff team.
Oklahoma City Thunder &mdash; Can their historic defense carry over to the playoffs?
The Oklahoma City Thunder have fielded the league&rsquo;s best defense this season, boasting a 106.6 defensive rating &mdash; the lowest mark in the NBA and one of the best over the past decade. Anchored by a core of versatile perimeter defenders like Lu Dort, Cason Wallace, Jalen Williams, and MVP candidate Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, along with interior enforcer Isaiah Hartenstein and shot blocker Chet Holmgren, the Thunder built a defensive identity predicated on length, switchability, and relentless pressure.
But as history has shown, regular-season defense doesn&rsquo;t always translate to playoff dominance. Matchups become more intentional, rotations tighten, and elite scorers are given room to manipulate even the best schemes. For a team like OKC that leans heavily on team defense rather than individual stoppers, their system will be tested in a postseason series where adjustments are key. Moreover, the Thunder&rsquo;s youth &ndash; despite being a strength in the regular season &ndash; may also be a vulnerability when the game slows down and every possession is magnified.
This Thunder squad has the makings of a historically great defense, but now comes the true test: whether that same system can hold up when a superstar like Luka Doncic or Steph Curry start hunting matchups in isolation. If OKC can sustain their defensive intensity in a seven-game series, their path to a deep run remains wide open.
Houston Rockets &mdash; Will their inexperience hinder them from going too far?
After years of rebuilding, the Houston Rockets are finally back in the playoffs &mdash; and this time, with a young core brimming with talent. Alperen Sengun, Jalen Green, Jabari Smith Jr., and Amen Thompson are all making their playoff debuts, and they&rsquo;ve formed a competitive group that finished with the fifth-best defense in the league (110.3 DRtg) and earned the second seed. Their turnaround under head coach Ime Udoka has been remarkable, fueled by a defense-first identity and the emergence of Sengun as one of the best passing bigs in the league.
However, playoff basketball is a different beast. It&rsquo;s about adjustments, discipline, and poise under pressure &ndash; things young teams usually need time to learn. In their first-round matchup, the Rockets face the battle-tested Golden State Warriors, a team that features championship experience across the board. Houston&rsquo;s youth could be exposed if the moment becomes too big, especially with Golden State&rsquo;s ability to dissect inexperience through smart off-ball actions and defensive schemes.
Players like Fred VanVleet and Dillon Brooks, the Rockets&rsquo; veterans, will be counted on to provide leadership and stabilize the team when things go sideways. But this postseason will ultimately serve as a litmus test for how ready the Rockets&rsquo; young stars are to take the leap. Even if they fall short, the experience could be invaluable moving forward.
Los Angeles Lakers &mdash; How viable is their roster construction?
The Lakers shocked the league by acquiring Luka Doncic midseason, pairing him with LeBron James and Austin Reaves to form a high-powered offensive trio. Since then, they&rsquo;ve leaned heavily into small-ball, often starting lineups with Rui Hachimura and Dorian Finney-Smith alongside the core trio, while Jaxson Hayes remains their only true center. First-year head coach JJ Redick has installed a modern, five-out system that prioritizes spacing and switchable defense &mdash; a style tailor-made for the postseason.
But viability is still a concern. While the offense has thrived, their defense has some slippages, particularly when LeBron and Luka are on the floor together. Their lack of rim protection and size could be exploited by teams that boast elite drivers to the rim. Additionally, the wear-and-tear of postseason play could take a toll on their aging core, especially LeBron, who is playing his 22nd season and logging heavy minutes in the postseason
Ultimately, the Lakers&rsquo; playoff ceiling hinges on whether their current roster configuration &ndash; heavy on wings, light on bigs &ndash; can hold up when the game slows down and physicality ramps up. If it works, Redick could be hailed as a tactical genius. If it doesn&rsquo;t, questions about roster balance and long-term direction will resurface.
Denver Nuggets &mdash; Do they have enough help around Nikola Jokic?
Nikola Jokic is once again doing everything for the Denver Nuggets &mdash; and doing it at an MVP level. He finished the regular season averaging a triple-double and top 3 in every major statistical category. His ability to control the game as both scorer and facilitator remains unmatched, and he remains the engine of everything Denver does offensively. But after a sluggish finish to the season, the biggest concern for the Nuggets is whether Jokic has enough help to mount another deep playoff run.
Jamal Murray has battled through injuries and hasn&rsquo;t quite looked like the same dynamic scorer from their 2023 championship run. Michael Porter Jr. has been inconsistent, while Aaron Gordon&rsquo;s offensive impact has waned due to multiple injuries. Denver&rsquo;s bench has also taken a step back this year, with limited contributions outside of Russell Westbrook, Julian Strawther and Peyton Watson.
If Murray can elevate his game and Porter Jr. can knock down shots consistently, Denver remains a title threat. But the margin for error is much slimmer than last year. Jokic can only carry so much weight &ndash; the Nuggets need their supporting cast to deliver, or another early exit could be looming.
Los Angeles Clippers &mdash; Can we see James Harden and Kawhi Leonard lead this team to playoff glory?
After losing Paul George to free agency last summer, many assumed the Clippers&rsquo; title window had slammed shut. But the resurgence of James Harden and Kawhi Leonard has breathed life back into their playoff hopes. Harden has embraced the role of primary playmaker, averaging 22.8 points and 8.7 assists per game, while Leonard has quietly had one of the most efficient scoring seasons of his career in recent years, shooting 49.8% from the field and 41.1% from deep.
The Clippers finished the season strong with their offense clicking and defense holding steady. Yet the question remains &ndash; can their two stars carry them through the gauntlet of the Western Conference? Leonard&rsquo;s health has always been a question mark, and Harden&rsquo;s playoff track record has been a mixed bag at best.&nbsp;
This postseason may be one of the last chances for this iteration of the Clippers to make a real push. If Harden and Kawhi can replicate their regular-season success and stay healthy, they could make noise. Along with steady role players like Norman Powell and Ivica Zubac, the Clippers are darkhorse contenders and will be dangerous out in the West.
Minnesota Timberwolves &mdash; How will Julius Randle perform in the playoffs?
Minnesota shocked many by acquiring Julius Randle at the trade deadline, moving on from Karl-Anthony Towns in the process. The Wolves hoped that Randle, a more physical and downhill-oriented forward, would provide a better playoff fit alongside Anthony Edwards and Rudy Gobert. However, Randle&rsquo;s postseason history raises concerns &mdash; in 15 career playoff games, he&rsquo;s averaged just 15.6 points on 34.4% shooting from the field.
Minnesota will need more than that if they hope to build on last year&rsquo;s conference finals run. Randle must adapt his game to playoff basketball, where defenses are better prepared and isolation-heavy play often becomes less efficient. His ability to stretch the floor, make quick decisions, and play through contact will be tested, especially against elite defenses like OKC.
If Randle rises to the occasion, Minnesota could have one of the most balanced starting fives in the conference. But if he reverts to his inefficient playoff habits, the Wolves could find themselves stalling in critical moments &ndash; a risk that looms large in what could be a defining postseason for the franchise.
Golden State Warriors &mdash; How far can Jimmy Butler take them?
The Warriors made arguably the boldest trade of the deadline by acquiring Jimmy Butler from Miami, forming a star duo with Stephen Curry. Since the move, Golden State has looked rejuvenated, going on a tear to close the regular season and boasting the third-best net rating in the league during that span (+7.2). Butler&rsquo;s leadership, defense, and shot creation have given the Warriors a legitimate second option and re-energized their playoff outlook.
Butler has a proven playoff track record &ndash; he led the Heat to two Finals appearances in four years &ndash; and is widely regarded as one of the most clutch postseason performers. His fit with Golden State has been seamless, and the team&rsquo;s defense has improved significantly, ranking 6th in opponent points per game since the trade. The question is how far Butler can carry this version of the Warriors, who still lean heavily on their aging core.
If Butler can replicate his past postseason heroics and stay healthy, the Warriors have a real shot to upset higher-seeded teams and return to the Finals.
Memphis Grizzlies &mdash; Can they survive this tough season?
No team has faced more adversity this year than the Memphis Grizzlies. Between Ja Morant&rsquo;s on-court antics, injuries to key players, and coaching instability and firing, Memphis stumbled to a slump at the end of the regular season but managed to squeak into the playoffs as the 8-seed. Despite the chaos, the team has shown remarkable resilience, with Jaren Jackson Jr. and rookie Zach Edey emerging as bright spots with their improved play.
Now they face the top-seeded Thunder in a first-round matchup that few give them a chance to win. But if there&rsquo;s one thing the Grizzlies have shown, it&rsquo;s that they won&rsquo;t go down without a fight. Their defense could keep them competitive, and their physical style of play may pose problems for the Thunder.
Ultimately, the playoffs may serve more as a building block than a real title push. But if Memphis can steal a game or two &mdash; or even push OKC to the brink &mdash; it would be a testament to the team&rsquo;s grit and foundation heading into next season.

Breaking down the biggest question each Western Conference team faces heading into the 2025 NBA Playoffs.

2025 NBA Western Conference Playoffs: Each team’s biggest question in the playoffs

In recent years, Japan has started to solidify its place on the global basketball map. The steady ascent began with Rui Hachimura making waves as a lottery pick and has since been sustained by the lengthy presence of Yuta Watanabe in the NBA. But the next chapter in Japan's basketball story is being authored by two rising stars with very different paths in young stars Keisei Tominaga and Yuki Kawamura.
Each player represents a different style, personality, and journey, but their shared goal is clear: to make a name for themselves in the NBA while pushing Japanese basketball into its most promising era yet and a chance to dominate Asia for years to come. Together, they are leading the next wave of Japanese basketball, a movement that could define a golden era for the nation&rsquo;s hoops culture.
<h3>Keisei Tominaga: From Nebraska star to NBA dreamer</h3>
Nicknamed the &ldquo;Japanese Steph Curry,&rdquo; Keisei Tominaga became a sensation at the University of Nebraska with his deep range, fiery swagger, and clutch shooting. Whether it was a pull-up three in transition or a quick-trigger release from the corner, the crowd inside Pinnacle Bank Arena in Lincoln, Nebraska always knew when the ball left his hands that it had a real chance of going in.
Though Tominaga went undrafted in the 2024 NBA Draft, he quickly landed a spot on a G-League roster and continued to work toward his NBA dream. His shooting alone makes him a prospect worth watching, but his personality and work ethic make him even more compelling.
That electricity was on full display at the 2024 FIBA Intercontinental Cup in Singapore. It was last September that I had the opportunity to interview Tominaga, where he drew thunderous applause every time he launched a three. His team had just wrapped up a game, and even though he wasn&rsquo;t entirely pleased with his performance, he still flashed that signature optimism and drive. There, I caught up with him to talk about the experience and his aspirations.
Q: Every time you shoot a three, fans are anticipating the ball coming in. You made a three and the arena went crazy. How was it like playing here in Singapore and with your fans in Asia and the love that they showed you out here? Tominaga: &ldquo;You know, it means a lot to me. You see, you hear the crowd when I make the shot. I&rsquo;m super happy for it but I gotta be better for everything. But you know it was a great, great experience for me.&rdquo;
Q: Obviously you&rsquo;ve struggled shooting the ball, but how would you rate your performance personally in this tournament? Tominaga: &ldquo;I don&rsquo;t think I did a good job, you know, the way enough the way I wanted it to be. But I think that&rsquo;s a great experience for me, I could get better from it. You know, I could learn from it a lot. So, I&rsquo;m excited to keep going.&rdquo;
Q: After this tournament, what&rsquo;s next for Keisei Tominaga? Where will we see you play, any future plans? Tominaga: &ldquo;You know, I&rsquo;m trying to get into the league (NBA) so, you know I&rsquo;ll keep showing what I can do out there on the court and hopefully I can make it to the NBA soon.&rdquo;
Even during a down shooting performance, Tominaga&rsquo;s energy was palpable. His confidence in the long-term goal didn&rsquo;t waver. And why should it? With every deep three, every off-ball relocation, every step-back jumper, he proves he's not just a novelty act&mdash;he&rsquo;s a legitimate offensive weapon.
<h3>Yuki Kawamura: The gritty playmaker with a huge heart and growing fanbase</h3>
While Tominaga&rsquo;s game is built around flash and finesse, Yuki Kawamura's path is defined by toughness, hustle, and high basketball IQ. At just 5-foot-9, Kawamura has never been the biggest player on the court, but that&rsquo;s never stopped him from standing out.
Currently suiting up for the Memphis Hustle, the G-League affiliate of the Memphis Grizzlies, Kawamura has carved out a role as an impactful guard who plays with heart on both ends. As of this writing, Kawamura is averaging 12.4 points, 4.8 assists, and 1.7 steals per game, while shooting an efficient 46.5% from the field and 38.2% from deep.
What makes Kawamura special isn&rsquo;t just the stats, it&rsquo;s about the impact. On multiple occasions, the Grizzlies have featured him in NBA games, and every time, the fan reaction has been electric. A behind-the-back dime in transition. A fearless drive into the paint against players a foot taller. A clutch corner three that sends social media into a frenzy. Kawamura is a fan favorite, not just in Japan, but globally.
The NBA itself has embraced Kawamura as part of its broader international movement. His highlights often get featured on NBA social media channels, and with every appearance, more fans begin to root for the undersized guard with a never-say-die mentality.
Now, Kawamura and the Grizzlies have qualified into the 2025 NBA Playoffs and will face the Oklahoma City Thunder in round one, a feat that Kawamura is definitely proud to be a part of.
<h3>A shared dream and legacy in the making</h3>
Tominaga and Kawamura couldn&rsquo;t be more different on the court. One is a gunner who thrives on spacing and movement. The other is a floor general who thrives on angles and decision-making. But their journeys intertwine in a bigger narrative, one that could shape the next decade of Japanese basketball.
What Rui Hachimura and Yuta Watanabe helped begin, Tominaga and Kawamura are set to continue. The duo&rsquo;s growth also coincides with the rise of Japan&rsquo;s national team, which made waves at the 2023 FIBA World Cup and the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Having multiple Japanese players active in the G-League and flirting with NBA rosters is no longer an anomaly. It&rsquo;s becoming part of a trend, and that trend points to a possible golden era of hoops in Japan. The country is now poised to be one of the top contenders for the upcoming FIBA Asia Cup 2025, and Tominaga and Kawamura are leading the charge for the Akatsuki.
The significance of this moment can&rsquo;t be overstated. For decades, Japanese basketball lagged behind Asian neighbors like China and the Philippines in terms of global impact. Now, the script is changing, and these two young stars are helping flip the page.
<h3>&ndash; &ndash; &ndash;</h3>
Keisei Tominaga continues to chase his dream with a shooter&rsquo;s tunnel vision - focused, steady, and fueled by every made shot and every miss. His love for the game and his country is clear every time he hits the floor.
Yuki Kawamura, meanwhile, has proven that height may be a limitation on paper, but not in heart. He&rsquo;s already winning over teammates, coaches, and fans alike with his skill and spark.
While the road to becoming a full-time NBA player is steep for both, what they represent is already larger than the game. They are not only athletes but symbols of Japan&rsquo;s potential on the world basketball stage.
In the end, whether or not they make a permanent home in the NBA isn&rsquo;t the only story. The real victory lies in how they inspire a nation, empower a new generation, and redefine what&rsquo;s possible for Japanese basketball.

From Tominaga's three-point flair to Kawamura's fearless playmaking, both are knocking on the NBA and inspiring Japan.

Keisei Tominaga, Yuki Kawamura lead golden era of Japanese Basketball

Every NBA season comes with its fair share of surprises, and the 2024-25 campaign has been no different. While championship contenders and superstars have dominated headlines, several teams have quietly &mdash; or loudly &mdash; rewritten their narratives in spectacular fashion. These aren&rsquo;t just flukes or hot streaks. These are teams that have made a leap, exceeded expectations, and found themselves in playoff positioning when few thought they&rsquo;d be here, or surpassing their previous season&rsquo;s accomplishments.
Whether it&rsquo;s through masterful coaching, player development, savvy roster moves, or simply finding the right chemistry at the right time, these are the teams that have all proven that projections and preseason power rankings don&rsquo;t always tell the full story. Here's a closer look at how these franchises flipped the script and are now among the best feel-good stories of the season.
Detroit Pistons Previous season&rsquo;s record: 17-65 This season&rsquo;s record: 44-38, 6th in the East
Perhaps no team has made a bigger leap &mdash; or captured the league&rsquo;s heart &mdash; more than the Detroit Pistons. Just a year removed from a miserable 17-win season, the Pistons have pulled off one of the most dramatic turnarounds in recent NBA memory. They are now sixth in the Eastern Conference, and have set a playoff date against the third-seeded New York Knicks.
Much of that credit goes to newly hired head coach J.B. Bickerstaff, who brought immediate structure, accountability, and belief into a young locker room. But the star of the show has been Cade Cunningham. After an injury-riddled season last year, Cunningham has blossomed into a true franchise player this year &mdash; a dual-threat scorer and facilitator who commands the game at his own pace. His decision-making has improved drastically, and he's showing why he was the No. 1 overall pick. Cunningham is here, and he&rsquo;s gunning for that star/superstar status.
Surrounding Cunningham, players like Jaden Ivey (even though he was injured) and Ausar Thompson have also taken noticeable steps forward, while big man Jalen Duren has anchored the middle with toughness and poise beyond his years. Detroit has also had key free agent signings that brought veteran presence in the locker room in Malik Beasley, Tim Hardaway Jr., and Tobias Harris. They have also picked up vet PG Dennis Schroder in a trade to help Cunningham with the ball-handling duties. Everything that Detroit has done was in order to come back and see this moment &ndash; to be back in the playoffs. It&rsquo;s not just that Detroit is winning &mdash; it&rsquo;s how they&rsquo;re doing it: through defense, selflessness, and maturity. They&rsquo;ve gone from laughingstock to legitimate in over a season, and it has been incredibly fun to watch.
Houston Rockets Previous season&rsquo;s record: 22-60 This season&rsquo;s record: 52-30, 2nd in the West
After four long and grueling seasons of rebuilding, the Houston Rockets are back &mdash; and better than ever. They&rsquo;ve clinched 50 wins for the first time since the James Harden era and have soared into the second seed in the loaded Western Conference. This transformation didn&rsquo;t happen overnight, but every move the Rockets made over the last four years has culminated in a roster that&rsquo;s deep, versatile, and hungry.
It started with the front office, who made smart picks in the draft: Alperen Sengun and Jalen Green in 2021, Jabari Smith Jr. and Tari Eason in 2022, Amen Thompson and Cam Whitmore in 2023, and Reed Sheppard in 2024. The result? A blend of high-upside talent that&rsquo;s matured quickly under the right guidance. And that guidance came in the form of Ime Udoka &mdash; the tough, defense-first head coach who has instilled discipline and identity from day one.
The Rockets also balanced their youth with veteran leadership. Fred VanVleet and Dillon Brooks were crucial free-agent signings, and the trade for Steven Adams added much-needed size and experience in the paint. Sengun has quietly become one of the most skilled bigs in the league, averaging near triple-double numbers with his passing and post play. Meanwhile, Jalen Green&rsquo;s shot selection and efficiency have improved, making him a more consistent offensive threat.
Everything is clicking in Houston, and the best part? They&rsquo;re still only scratching the surface. It&rsquo;s officially liftoff time in Houston, Texas.
Cleveland Cavaliers Previous season&rsquo;s record: 51-31 This season&rsquo;s record: 64-18, 1st in the East
It might sound strange to include a 50-win team in a list of surprises, but the Cleveland Cavaliers have surpassed what many expected from them &mdash; and in a completely new way. After losing to the Celtics in the second round last season, many believed Cleveland had plateaued, stuck in a tier below the East&rsquo;s elite. But the arrival of head coach Kenny Atkinson changed everything.
Atkinson brought more than just X&rsquo;s and O&rsquo;s to Cleveland &mdash; he brought vision. His innovative offensive schemes breathed new life into the team, particularly Evan Mobley. The former third overall pick has emerged as a true two-way force this year, expanding his offensive bag while remaining a defensive anchor. Mobley has become more comfortable operating as a playmaker, setting high screens, making short-roll reads, and even spacing the floor.
Donovan Mitchell remains the alpha, capable of carrying the offense during clutch moments. But with Darius Garland and Jarrett Allen playing supporting roles to perfection &mdash; and the perfect role players giving them a punch off the bench &mdash; the Cavaliers are deeper and more dangerous than ever. This is their best season since LeBron left, and it feels like they&rsquo;ve finally found a sustainable identity. They're not just winning games; they&rsquo;re playing like a team that believes it can win the East.
Los Angeles Clippers Previous season&rsquo;s record: 44-38 This season&rsquo;s record: 50-32, 5th in the West
No team entered the season with lower public expectations relative to their talent than the Los Angeles Clippers especially after Paul George left in free agency. The assumption was that LA&rsquo;s championship window had finally slammed shut. But instead of folding, the Clippers responded with a defiant, gritty, and unified season that caught the league off guard.
Kawhi Leonard returned healthy and dominant, looking like the MVP-caliber player of old. His midrange game has been clinical, and he&rsquo;s elevated his play on both ends as the postseason approaches. But perhaps the most shocking resurgence came from James Harden, who has turned back the clock and delivered one of his most efficient seasons in years. Harden has assumed full command of the offense, orchestrating everything with poise and flair while re-establishing himself as a top-tier guard in the league that could possibly fetch an All-NBA plum.
The supporting cast has been outstanding. Ivica Zubac has taken a huge leap, anchoring the Clippers&rsquo; defense and finishing strong around the rim. He&rsquo;s firmly in the Most Improved Player conversation. Norman Powell has been a revelation in an expanded role, consistently providing scoring and hustle. The &ldquo;addition by subtraction&rdquo; idea has rung true &mdash; with more touches and opportunities, Powell has been better than ever.
And of course, credit must go to Tyronn Lue, who has maximized every piece of this roster and turned what many assumed would be a rebuilding year into a redemption tour. The Clippers became this gritty and rugged defensive team that no one wants to meet in the playoffs. They might be underdogs, but they&rsquo;ve built something real.&nbsp;
&ndash; &ndash; &ndash;
These four teams &mdash; Detroit, Houston, Cleveland, and Los Angeles &mdash; entered the season with vastly different narratives. But they all share a common thread: they weren&rsquo;t supposed to be this good. Whether through internal growth, roster management, or coaching brilliance, each franchise has exceeded expectations in its own way.
The playoffs will be the true test, but what these teams have already accomplished is worth celebrating. In a league where dynasties often dominate headlines, it's stories like these that keep the NBA fresh, unpredictable, and thrilling year after year.

Discover how the Pistons, Rockets, Cavaliers, and Clippers have surpassed this season's expectations and rewrote their narratives.

Teams that have exceeded expectations this season

The Philadelphia 76ers' 2024-2025 NBA season has been marred by injuries and setbacks, culminating in the recent decision to shut down star center Joel Embiid for the remainder of the season due to persistent left knee issues.&nbsp;
While this move might initially seem like a significant blow to the team's aspirations, it could ultimately serve as a blessing in disguise for the franchise.
The Sixers entered the season with high expectations, especially after acquiring veteran forward Paul George in the offseason to complement Embiid and emerging point guard Tyrese Maxey. However, the team's plans were quickly derailed by a series of injuries. Embiid, the 2023 NBA MVP, managed to participate in only 19 games, averaging 23.8 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 4.5 assists per game before being sidelined indefinitely due to his knee problems.&nbsp;
George also faced his share of health issues, missing significant time because of an injury to the extensor tendon in his left fifth finger. Maxey has also been out for some stretches during the season with some minor ailments.
Promising rookie Jared McCain, selected 16th overall in the 2024 NBA Draft, showed flashes of potential but was also limited by a season-ending injury, hindering his ability to make further impact.
As a result of these setbacks, the Sixers have struggled to find cohesion and consistency on the court. Currently holding a 20-38 record, they sit 12th in the Eastern Conference, 2.5 games behind the Chicago Bulls for a potential Play-In Tournament spot.&nbsp;
Given the team's depleted roster and lack of chemistry, even if they were to secure a play-in spot, a deep postseason run appears unlikely with top seeds Cleveland Cavaliers, Boston Celtics, and New York Knicks all waiting at the top.&nbsp;
The lack of on-court time together has prevented the development of the necessary chemistry among the team's core players. The trio of Embiid, George, and Maxey has had limited opportunities to gel, which is crucial for a newly constructed team aiming for playoff success. By shutting down Embiid and allowing other injured players ample time to recover, the Sixers can prioritize building team chemistry during the offseason and enter the next season with a fully healthy and cohesive unit.
After all, Embiid was just playing on another level just over a year ago, before that unfortunate injury vs the Warriors. He was playing even better than in his MVP season, including scoring 70 points against the Spurs when he was fully healthy. If the Sixers could somehow manage to get that version of Embiid next season, they would be one of the strongest championship contenders in the East.
Amid the challenges, one bright spot has been the emergence of forward Guerschon Yabusele. At 29 years old, Yabusele has proven to be a valuable asset, showcasing physicality, scoring instincts, and the ability to stretch the floor with his three-point shooting. Defensively, he brings a scrappy and gritty presence, making him an ideal fit alongside Embiid in the frontcourt. Embiid has never played with a player of Yabusele&rsquo;s caliber at the 4 position, and it will be interesting to see them meshing on the court with Embiid fully healthy.
As Yabusele approaches free agency, it is imperative for the Sixers to prioritize re-signing him to maintain and build upon the positive aspects of their roster.
But perhaps the most significant silver lining in this challenging season is the potential impact on the team's draft prospects. The Sixers' 2025 first-round pick is top-6 protected; if it falls beyond the 6th spot, it will convey to the Oklahoma City Thunder.&nbsp;
With the team's current trajectory, they are positioned to secure a high draft pick in what is anticipated to be a deep 2025 draft class. This opportunity could allow the Sixers to add a talented young player who can contribute immediately and bolster the team's future alongside a healthy Embiid and George.&nbsp;
Even further, the Sixers could also decide to move off that pick and acquire even more win-now pieces to maximize Embiid&rsquo;s remaining prime years. There are a lot of ways and possibilities for the Sixers to build and eventually contend with Embiid, and it starts with this season-ending surgery to make ample time to bounce back for the season after and beyond.
While the decision to shut down Joel Embiid for the season is undoubtedly disappointing for fans and the organization, it offers a chance to regroup and focus on long-term success. Prioritizing player health, building team chemistry, retaining key contributors like Guerschon Yabusele, and capitalizing on a favorable draft position could set the stage for a resurgent 2025-2026 season.&nbsp;
By embracing these challenges and opportunities, the Philadelphia 76ers can transform this season's setbacks into a foundation for sustained success in the Joel Embiid era.

The Sixers' season has been marred by injuries and electing to shut down Joel Embiid. However, this could be what's best for them.

Why shutting down Embiid could be a blessing in disguise for the Sixers’ future

The Portland Trail Blazers have been on an impressive run, winning six consecutive games and ten of their last eleven. This surge has propelled them into contention for a play-in spot, showcasing their potential against formidable opponents. Their success has been a combination of offensive efficiency, defensive tenacity, and standout performances from key players.
During this hot streak, Portland has secured victories against teams like the Milwaukee Bucks, Phoenix Suns, and Sacramento Kings. According to Kirk Goldsberry&rsquo;s efficiency landscape, the Blazers are #3 in net rating and #1 defensively. Offensively, they have been firing on all cylinders, with Anfernee Simons leading the charge. In a recent win over the Kings, Simons dropped 30 points, proving his ability to stretch the floor and attack the basket. Their defensive efforts have also played a crucial role, exemplified by a dominant 112-89 victory over the Pacers where they held Indiana to just 89 points. This newfound defensive resilience has been a cornerstone of their recent success.
Several players have stepped up during this run, each playing a crucial role in keeping the Blazers competitive. Simons, averaging 18.2 points per game this season, has been a consistent scoring threat, using his quick release and aggressive drives to keep defenses on their heels. Shaedon Sharpe has provided an additional spark, averaging 17.5 points and 4.0 rebounds per game, using his athleticism and shot-making ability to keep opponents guessing. Scoot Henderson, despite being the youngest among the three guards, has shown flashes of brilliance, particularly in a recent game against the Magic where he recorded 23 points, seven assists, and five rebounds. Deni Avdija has also emerged as a valuable asset, scoring a season-high 30 points and grabbing nine rebounds in a statement win over the Bucks. Though not always in the spotlight, Toumani Camara has been invaluable for his defensive energy and hustle plays, helping to solidify Portland&rsquo;s defensive identity.
Despite their recent success, the Blazers must soon confront significant decisions regarding their future. While they are currently competing for a play-in spot, their long-term direction remains unclear. One of the biggest questions revolves around the roles of Deni Avdija and Toumani Camara, two young forwards who have shown promise. Avdija, at 6-foot-9, has demonstrated versatility on both ends of the floor, excelling as a ball handler, facilitator, and multi-positional defender. His recent offensive outburst against the Bucks highlighted his potential as a future building block for the team. Camara, known for his defensive prowess, brings energy and intensity every time he steps on the floor. His ability to guard multiple positions and contribute on the boards has been crucial in tight games, making him an integral part of Portland&rsquo;s plans.
While Avdija and Camara appear to be key building blocks, the futures of Deandre Ayton and Jerami Grant remain uncertain. Ayton, acquired to strengthen the frontcourt, has had standout performances, including a 25-point, 20-rebound game against the Suns. His presence in the paint provides stability, but the Blazers must determine whether he fits into their long-term vision with recently drafted rookie center Donovan Clingan in the lineup. Grant, a reliable two-way forward, brings valuable experience and scoring ability. However, with the emergence of their younger wings Avdija and Camara, the team may consider moving him for assets that better align with their rebuilding efforts. The decision on whether to retain or trade these veterans will significantly shape the franchise&rsquo;s future.
But perhaps the most pressing dilemma Portland faces is the backcourt logjam between Simons, Sharpe, and Henderson. Each player brings a unique skill set, but with limited opportunities to develop three high-usage guards simultaneously, the Blazers may ultimately need to choose two of the three to lead their backcourt into the future. Simons has already proven himself as a dynamic scorer with elite shooting ability, making him a valuable offensive weapon. Sharpe, with his impressive athleticism and scoring instincts, has shown flashes of being a future superstar. Henderson, despite some early growing pains, has displayed promising playmaking and scoring potential, hinting at the possibility of becoming the team&rsquo;s primary floor general.
The Blazers might soon rethink their decisions and pick what&rsquo;s best for the three of them, letting go of one for proven pieces that will fit the team and letting him shine somewhere else, but that remains to be seen at this point. For now, the Blazers are rocking with this group and see what they can do towards the end of the season.
The Blazers&rsquo; recent success is a testament to their young talent and cohesive play, but as they navigate the remainder of the season, these tough decisions loom large. Balancing immediate success with long-term development will be crucial in determining the franchise&rsquo;s trajectory. Whether they fully commit to a rebuild, make strategic trades, or double down on their current core, the choices they make in the coming months will define their future in the NBA.

The Portland Trail Blazers have been on an impressive run, but tough decisions loom large within the franchise.

The Trail Blazers are rolling, but they should make a choice for their future

In a significant move within the WNBA, 10-time All-Star Brittney Griner has signed a one-year contract with the Atlanta Dream, departing the Phoenix Mercury after an 11-season tenure. The agreement was reported by ESPN's Shams Charania and Alexa Philippou.&nbsp;
Griner, 34, has been a dominant force in the league since being selected as the first overall pick by the Mercury in the 2013 WNBA Draft. Throughout her career, she has averaged 17.7 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 2.6 blocks per game. Her accolades include two Defensive Player of the Year awards and a pivotal role in leading Phoenix to the 2014 WNBA championship.&nbsp;
The Atlanta Dream, under the leadership of head coach Karl Smesko and general manager Dan Padover, have been actively restructuring their roster. The acquisition of Griner aims to fill the void left by the departures of key players Cheyenne Parker-Tyus and Tina Charles. Griner is expected to form a formidable trio alongside Rhyne Howard and Allisha Gray, positioning the Dream as strong contenders for the upcoming 2025 season.&nbsp;
This move marks one of the most notable free agency decisions in WNBA history, as Griner transitions from her long-standing association with the Mercury to a new chapter with the Dream.

10-time All-Star Brittney Griner has signed a one-year contract with the Atlanta Dream, departing the Phoenix Mercury after 11 years.

WNBA: Brittney Griner Joins Atlanta Dream After 11 Seasons with Phoenix Mercury

When Russell Westbrook signed with the Denver Nuggets this past offseason, the move raised eyebrows. Known for his explosive athleticism, triple-double prowess, and relentless energy, Westbrook was joining a team already led by two-time MVP Nikola Jokić. The fit appeared questionable at first, with concerns about how his style of play would mesh with Denver&rsquo;s pass-heavy, deliberate offensive system. However, midway through the season, Westbrook has silenced the skeptics, showing significant evolution in his game while making a substantial impact on the Nuggets&rsquo; success.
After a rocky start to the season, where Denver struggled to find the right lineup combinations, Westbrook&rsquo;s resurgence has coincided with the team&rsquo;s climb up the Western Conference standings. The Nuggets&rsquo; record currently sits at 24-16, good for 4th in the West, and Westbrook&rsquo;s contributions have been instrumental in their turnaround.
One of the most noticeable changes in Westbrook&rsquo;s game this season has been his willingness to adapt. Historically, Westbrook has thrived in a high-usage, ball-dominant role. In Denver, he has embraced a secondary playmaker role, deferring to Jokić as the primary offensive hub. Instead of consistently looking for his shot, Westbrook has focused on setting up teammates, pushing the pace in transition, and attacking opportunistically.
This shift is evident in his assist numbers. Westbrook is averaging 6.6 assists per game, ranking among the league leaders, but more importantly, his assists often lead to high-percentage looks. Whether it&rsquo;s a perfectly timed pass to a cutting Nikola Jokic or a drive-and-kick to teammates for a corner three, Westbrook&rsquo;s passing has complemented Denver&rsquo;s offensive flow.
Additionally, Westbrook has significantly improved his shot selection. Known for his sometimes ill-advised pull-up jumpers in previous years, he has reduced the volume of mid-range attempts and focused on attacking the rim or taking spot-up threes. While his three-point shooting percentage remains below league average at 32.9%, the improvement in his decision-making has positively impacted the Nuggets&rsquo; efficiency.
Efficiency has been a cornerstone of Westbrook&rsquo;s resurgence. His field goal percentage has climbed to 45.8%, a mark higher than his MVP season in 2016-17. This improvement can be attributed to a combination of better shot selection and the quality of opportunities created within Denver&rsquo;s system. Playing alongside elite passers like Jokić has allowed Westbrook to thrive as a cutter, frequently finding himself in advantageous scoring positions without needing to create off the dribble.
Moreover, Westbrook&rsquo;s turnover rate has decreased. While he still occasionally forces plays, his 2.9 turnovers per game would mark the second lowest ever in his career. This newfound control has helped stabilize the Nuggets&rsquo; offense, particularly in close games where his decision-making has been a key factor.
Westbrook&rsquo;s midseason averages of 13.2 points, 6.6 assists, and 5.1 rebounds per game highlight his well-rounded impact. Beyond the raw numbers, his presence has elevated the performances of key teammates. The reigning MVP Jokic continues to dominate, but Westbrook&rsquo;s ability to take some playmaking responsibilities off his shoulders has allowed Jokić to conserve energy for critical moments. The duo&rsquo;s pick-and-roll chemistry has added a new dimension to Denver&rsquo;s offense.
Westbrook&rsquo;s ability to bring the ball up, handle the PG duties, playmake, and create for others has allowed Murray to thrive as a scorer. Murray is benefiting from the spacing and tempo Westbrook provides and this has also given Denver a new look on their offensive schemes. For Michael Porter Jr., he has thrived as an off-ball scorer, both from catch and shoot opportunities and cuts to the rim, with Westbrook&rsquo;s penetration creating easy scoring opportunities.&nbsp;
Beyond the stats, Westbrook&rsquo;s leadership has been invaluable. Known for his fiery competitiveness, he has brought an edge to the Nuggets&rsquo; locker room, holding teammates accountable and setting the tone with his relentless motor. This mentality has been crucial during stretches whenever the team struggled with injuries or inconsistent play.
While Westbrook&rsquo;s evolution has been a net positive, there are still challenges. His three-point shooting remains a weakness, allowing opposing defenses to sag off him in half-court sets. Additionally, while his turnovers are down, he occasionally reverts to over-aggressiveness, leading to avoidable mistakes.
Defensively, Westbrook&rsquo;s effort has been commendable. Both his on and off-ball defense have been valuable for the Nuggets, as his energy rubs off to his teammates. However, due to his age, there can also be challenges on the defensive side of the floor and it remains an area to watch as the season progresses.
As the Nuggets approach the second half of the season, Westbrook&rsquo;s continued progression with the team&rsquo;s playstyle will be critical to their championship aspirations. His ability to sustain his efficiency, maintain his leadership role, and complement Denver&rsquo;s core pieces will determine how far the team can go in a loaded Western Conference.
Ultimately, Russell Westbrook&rsquo;s resurgence in Denver is a testament to his adaptability and determination. By embracing a new role and prioritizing team success, he has revitalized his career while helping the Nuggets emerge as title contenders once again. If this trend continues, Westbrook may not only change the narrative surrounding his career but also play a pivotal role in him winning his 1st championship.

Russell Westbrook has embraced a new role with the Nuggets, showcasing improved efficiency and playmaking across the season.

Russell Westbrook’s adaptation fuels Nuggets’ midseason surge

Jaden Ivey is expected to miss most of the 2024-25 season after sustaining a broken left fibula in a collision with Cole Anthony, according to ESPN&rsquo;s Shams Charania.
The Detroit Pistons guard sustained the injury during the fourth quarter of the team's 105-96 victory over the Orlando Magic. The injury occurred when Ivey collided with Magic guard Cole Anthony while pursuing a loose ball, resulting in an awkward fall that left Ivey in visible pain on the court.&nbsp;
Ivey was immediately attended to by medical personnel and subsequently stretchered off the court. He underwent successful surgery the following day at Detroit's Henry Ford Hospital and will be re-evaluated in four weeks.&nbsp;
The Pistons announced Thursday that the promising guard will be reevaluated in four weeks.
Ivey, the No. 5 overall pick in the 2022 draft, has been enjoying a career-best season, averaging 17.6 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 4.0 assists per game for the resurgent Pistons.
Though Detroit remains open to Ivey&rsquo;s return depending on their postseason prospects, the team is committed to prioritizing his recovery and long-term health.
Pistons head coach J.B. Bickerstaff expressed confidence in Ivey's resilience, stating, "There's no better person or teammate than J.I. and no one cares more about this than he does."&nbsp;
The Pistons, currently holding a 15-18 record, will look to other players to step up in Ivey's absence as they aim to maintain their competitive edge in the Eastern Conference.

Jaden Ivey is expected to miss most of the 2024-25 season after sustaining a broken left fibula.

Pistons' Jaden Ivey undergoes surgery for broken fibula, out indefinitely

LeBron James and his son LeBron James Jr. made NBA history Sunday night when they shared the floor in the Lakers&rsquo; preseason game against the Phoenix Suns.&nbsp;
The duo made their much-anticipated debut together at the start of the second quarter of the game in Palm Springs, California.
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Bron x Bronny 👑 The father-son duo officially shares the court, becoming the first to do so in NBA history! 🙌🏽<a href="https://t.co/TjQwe3JAw7">pic.twitter.com/TjQwe3JAw7</a>
&mdash; BasketballNews.com (@basketbllnews) <a href="https://twitter.com/basketbllnews/status/1843113805439709496?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 7, 2024</a>
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Although they did not have many basketball moments in their time on the court together, it was such a cool moment for the Los Angeles superstar as his longtime dream of playing together with his eldest son came to fruition.
&lsquo;Bronny&rsquo; James, as he&rsquo;s fondly called, was picked by the Lakers at the 55th overall selection in this year&rsquo;s NBA Draft.&nbsp;
The elder James notably expressed his desire to play with his son a lot of times in the past. LeBron mentioned it again recently on their team&rsquo;s media day citing it has given him joy and a new lease in his illustrious 22-year NBA career.
&ldquo;It's a lot of excitement, a pure joy, to be able to come to work every day, put in hard work with your son every day, and be able to see him continue to grow," James said. "We push each other. He pushes me. I push him. We push our teammates, and vice versa. So it's just a very joyous moment not only for myself but for our family. So it's pretty awesome. Gives you a lot of life.&rdquo;
LeBron was his usual dominant self despite being the oldest player in the NBA with 19 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2 blocks at the half for the Lakers while Bronny logged in 1 rebound and 3 turnovers, going 0/1 on his shot attempts.
The Suns eventually won the game in a tight affair, 118-114, as LeBron only played the first half with Anthony Davis who also had a good game with 17 points and 8 rebounds. Phoenix was led by their bench unit with 4 players scoring in double digits &ndash; rookie Oso Ighodaro, Damion Lee, Collin Gillespie, and Josh Okogie.&nbsp;
The Lakers had one last shot to win the game with new head coach JJ Redick drawing up a play for Lakers rookie Dalton Knecht. However, he missed on the potential game-winning three with fellow rookie Ryan Dunn of the Suns all over him, and Dunn leaked out for a transition dunk in the ending moments for the final score.
The younger James is expected to take his time in developing at the Lakers&rsquo; G League team South Bay as he continues to build his NBA career after suffering a career-altering condition last year. Bronny suffered a cardiac arrest while playing college ball for the USC Trojans and has been trying to get back on track since.
LeBron and the Lakers open the season against the Minnesota Timberwolves on opening night with championship aspirations still on the horizon for the 2nd winningest franchise in NBA history.

LeBron James and his son LeBron James Jr. made NBA history Sunday night when they shared the floor in the Lakers’ preseason game against the Phoenix Suns.

LeBron James, Bronny James become the first-ever father-son duo to play together in the NBA

The NBA is back.&nbsp;
With the league&rsquo;s annual &lsquo;Day&rsquo; 1 getting underway, all 30 teams have resumed their daily basketball activities. Starting from the Media Day to each of their training camps, players are slowly ramping up as they work to get back in game shape.
For some of these familiar faces, however, a new season awaits them as they&rsquo;re looking for a fresh start in new environments and places. Let&rsquo;s take a look at these players and their potential fits next to their new teams and teammates.&nbsp;
Russell Westbrook rocks new threads with Denver&nbsp;
Russell Westbrook starts a new season with the 2023 champions after his stint with the Clippers. Westbrook aims to bring the energy to a Nuggets squad losing another championship piece in Kentavious Caldwell-Pope. He slots in immediately as Denver&rsquo;s backup PG with the loss of Reggie Jackson, and the team could also use him to play with the starters and let Jamal Murray slide into the 2 spot. Westbrook will also be teaming up with fellow triple-double savant Nikola Jokic and it will be interesting to see two high-IQ players together on the court.
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New beginnings for <a href="https://twitter.com/russwest44?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@russwest44</a> 😈<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NBAMediaDay?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NBAMediaDay</a> x <a href="https://twitter.com/nuggets?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@nuggets</a> <a href="https://t.co/Wew6JRNNXm">pic.twitter.com/Wew6JRNNXm</a>
&mdash; NBA (@NBA) <a href="https://twitter.com/NBA/status/1839352986826387752?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 26, 2024</a></blockquote>

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PG13 creates a big three with Embiid and Maxey
Perhaps the biggest signing in the offseason, George immediately slides in with the Sixers to form a big three with Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey. At 34 years old, PG probably has a good 3 years left in his prime, but he could be in a perfect situation with Embiid and Maxey at their absolute peaks. George is in a position where he&rsquo;s not asked to shoulder much of the offensive load like he did most of the time in his career, and he can play to his strengths &mdash; a two-play wing player with some playmaking chops and be a secondary creator and scorer to Maxey and Embiid. George is also a very good three-point shooter on spot-up and catch-and-shoot attempts and should bode well for both Sixers superstars by spacing the floor for them. Overall an A+ signing by Sixers GM Daryl Morey, and now it all hinges on health as Philly tries to pull it up all together to finally make a Conference Finals in the Embiid era.
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PG in Philly! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NBAMediaDay?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NBAMediaDay</a> <a href="https://t.co/jmSInGKf5L">pic.twitter.com/jmSInGKf5L</a>
&mdash; NBA (@NBA) <a href="https://twitter.com/NBA/status/1840916610644582775?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 1, 2024</a></blockquote>

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A new Philadelphia trio... 🔥 Maxey. Embiid. George.<a href="https://twitter.com/sixers?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@sixers</a> x <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NBAMediaDay?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NBAMediaDay</a> <a href="https://t.co/wjlclZdnhx">pic.twitter.com/wjlclZdnhx</a>
&mdash; NBA (@NBA) <a href="https://twitter.com/NBA/status/1840803293473230955?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 30, 2024</a></blockquote>

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CP3 in San Antonio as Wemby&rsquo;s PG; Harrison Barnes being a veteran piece in a young Spurs team
Victor Wembanyama finally gets his premier PG in Chris Paul. After playing most of last year not having a legitimate table setter, Wemby, and the Spurs add one of the greatest to ever do it at the position. Even approaching 40 years old, Paul should have a lot left in his tank to try and develop as much as possible the young yet hungry Spurs. On the other hand, Barnes adds another veteran piece as San Antonio looks to improve and at least make the play-in this season.
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WEMBY x CP3 🔥 BIG smiles in San Antonio at <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NBAMediaDay?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NBAMediaDay</a> 😇 <a href="https://t.co/PbV71PCH0c">pic.twitter.com/PbV71PCH0c</a>
&mdash; NBA (@NBA) <a href="https://twitter.com/NBA/status/1840815076485259469?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 30, 2024</a></blockquote>

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Wemby &amp; CP3 enjoying <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NBAMediaDay?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NBAMediaDay</a> 🤩 <a href="https://t.co/rSdwmMIx1m">pic.twitter.com/rSdwmMIx1m</a>
&mdash; NBA (@NBA) <a href="https://twitter.com/NBA/status/1840801831577895224?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 30, 2024</a></blockquote>

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Caruso, Hartenstein add more defensive toughness to an already elite OKC squad
Imagine having to add two role players that star in their role to a team that just finished atop the conference a season ago, all without losing someone significant from that core. That&rsquo;s exactly what the Oklahoma City Thunder did by adding Alex Caruso and Isaiah Hartenstein into their fold. The move stamped their status even further atop the West with rising stars Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren getting better over the year and still having MVP candidate Shai Gilgeous-Alexander just starting his prime. Caruso adds yet another defensive bull on the perimeter that already features fellow All-Defensive player Lu Dort, while Hartenstein brings versatility in the frontcourt to possibly play together with Holmgren. The Thunder are poised yet again to make a deep playoff run and it all starts with their offseason acquisitions and their fit into the team.&nbsp;
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Alex Caruso very complimentary of his new backcourt mate, SGA! 🤞<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NBAMediaDay?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NBAMediaDay</a> <a href="https://t.co/Rdxt7r5dQu">pic.twitter.com/Rdxt7r5dQu</a>
&mdash; NBA (@NBA) <a href="https://twitter.com/NBA/status/1840867849797022103?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 30, 2024</a></blockquote>

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Klay splashing and spacing the floor for Luka, Mavs
The other Splash brother brings his act to Dallas after spending his first 13 years with the franchise. Thompson immediately fills a need in Dallas to help space the floor and be a decoy for Luka Doncic as he makes plays on the court. At his age, Thompson won&rsquo;t be asked too much like he did in Golden State and this could be a rejuvenation for his career as he finds a new environment with the Mavericks.&nbsp;
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No. 31 from the Dallas Mavericks... Klay Thompson 🔥🔥🔥 <a href="https://t.co/e4M8lNtvQL">pic.twitter.com/e4M8lNtvQL</a>
&mdash; NBA (@NBA) <a href="https://twitter.com/NBA/status/1840858008794120481?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 30, 2024</a></blockquote>

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Klay Thompson... NEW BEGINNINGS 🫵<a href="https://twitter.com/dallasmavs?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@dallasmavs</a> x <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NBAMediaDay?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NBAMediaDay</a> <a href="https://t.co/YX9CX1preR">pic.twitter.com/YX9CX1preR</a>
&mdash; NBA (@NBA) <a href="https://twitter.com/NBA/status/1840806814956265762?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 30, 2024</a></blockquote>

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DeMar DeRozan as the final piece to Sacramento&rsquo;s playoff success
DeRozan comes into the Kings&rsquo; lair as one of the most clutch players in the league, and he will play alongside a player of the same caliber in DeAaron Fox. It will be interesting to see how DeRozan&rsquo;s playstyle fits into the Kings&rsquo; offense with their motion offense built on three-point shooting with Domantas Sabonis as the hub, and it will be a good problem how coach Mike Brown integrates him to play a certain kind of way. The Kings are one of the up-and-coming teams in the West and adding a player like DeRozan gives them a different dimension to their offense.&nbsp;
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DeMar DeRozan looking good in his new threads 😎<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NBAMediaDay?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NBAMediaDay</a> <a href="https://t.co/uPYTeKvUBE">pic.twitter.com/uPYTeKvUBE</a>
&mdash; NBA (@NBA) <a href="https://twitter.com/NBA/status/1841107569399480506?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 1, 2024</a></blockquote>

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New trio in Sacramento 👑<a href="https://twitter.com/SacramentoKings?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SacramentoKings</a> x <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NBAMediaDay?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NBAMediaDay</a> <a href="https://t.co/HfnZMmz317">pic.twitter.com/HfnZMmz317</a>
&mdash; NBA (@NBA) <a href="https://twitter.com/NBA/status/1841108008769630523?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 1, 2024</a></blockquote>

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Dejounte Murray, Tyus Jones to solve PG issues in NOLA, PHX
Two teams that have had PG issues last season have finally addressed it by signing two of the quality PGs in the league today: Murray to the Pelicans and Jones to the Suns. Murray slots in as the Pelicans&rsquo; main shot creator, playmaker, and closer. This has been a significant hole for the Pelicans last season, especially in the playoffs when no one other than CJ McCollum (who&rsquo;s getting old) and Brandon Ingram create shots and make plays. Murray immediately comes in and fills this gap and with a returning Zion Williamson, the Pelicans are coming into the season very optimistic about their playoff chances.
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Fresh start heading into Year 8 🤲<a href="https://twitter.com/DejounteMurray?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@DejounteMurray</a> x <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NBAMediaDay?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NBAMediaDay</a> <a href="https://t.co/j3W5D0GFoM">pic.twitter.com/j3W5D0GFoM</a>
&mdash; NBA (@NBA) <a href="https://twitter.com/NBA/status/1840852492168675766?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 30, 2024</a></blockquote>

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New threads for <a href="https://twitter.com/PelicansNBA?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PelicansNBA</a> new PG 🔥<a href="https://twitter.com/DejounteMurray?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@DejounteMurray</a> x <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NBAMediaDay?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NBAMediaDay</a> <a href="https://t.co/kgIxpGqxkG">pic.twitter.com/kgIxpGqxkG</a>
&mdash; NBA (@NBA) <a href="https://twitter.com/NBA/status/1840807569150837091?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 30, 2024</a></blockquote>

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Jones on the other hand also fills the immediate need of a PG, someone who can make plays for others without turning the ball over. Jones has been one of the best if not the best assist-to-turnover ratio guys in the league, and with how Phoenix&rsquo;s roster is constructed, this allows their super scoring big three Bradley Beal, Devin Booker, and Kevin Durant to do their thing and focus on what they do best. Jones comes in to settle these guys down and put them in the best positions to succeed.&nbsp;
Buddy Hield, Kyle Anderson bring veteran savvy and immediate positional needs to Golden State
Some key veteran additions to the Warriors are Hield and Anderson as they continue to beef up their roster around superstar Stephen Curry. Hield will try to replace the production of Klay Thompson after his departure with his deadeye shooting and spacing the floor for Curry. Hield has also been a good off-ball mover and that should bode well for Golden State&rsquo;s offense. Anderson meanwhile, brings his big forward, almost a center playing style to the Warriors and should fit instantly like a Draymond Green clone. Anderson has the playmaking chops and the basketball IQ to seamlessly play in Kerr&rsquo;s system and is a player who seems to understand how to play with and off of the skillset of a player like Curry.&nbsp;
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Welcome to The Bay, Buddy! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NBAMediaDay?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NBAMediaDay</a> <a href="https://t.co/ruEDkg7ayU">pic.twitter.com/ruEDkg7ayU</a>
&mdash; NBA (@NBA) <a href="https://twitter.com/NBA/status/1840924339090100682?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 1, 2024</a></blockquote>

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Prince-Trent-Wright trio come to Milwaukee to win
Taurean Prince, Gary Trent Jr., and Delon Wright have all signed up for a little under than what they were supposed to make and signed with the Bucks for a chance to contribute to a championship contender. All three are exactly what the Bucks need in their scheme of things as they&rsquo;re expected to bring shooting, spacing, and tough perimeter defenders. It&rsquo;s expected that Milwaukee&rsquo;s offense will revolve around superstars Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard so there will be little expectations on these guys to do more and they can just focus on what they do best as role players in the league.

A new season awaits familiar faces in new places. Let’s take a look at them and their potential fits next to their new teams and teammates.

Familiar faces in new places: NBA players’ new home to start the season

The USA Men&rsquo;s National Basketball Team passed its second test after beating Australia, 98-92, in the USA Basketball Showcase in Abu Dhabi.&nbsp;
In part of their preparation for the Paris Olympics, Team USA looked to be in cruise control after leading by 20 over the Boomers. However, Australia unleashed a huge run in the 4th quarter, even cutting the lead down to just 4, 94-90, with 15 seconds to go.
Phoenix Suns&rsquo; superstar guard Devin Booker took over from there as he hit 4 clutch free throws to keep the rushing Australians at bay and win the game.
Anthony Davis once again had a double-double to lead the US with 17 points and 14 rebounds while Booker added 16 points of his own. Both came off the bench for the Steve Kerr-manned squad.
Main takeaways:
STEVE KERR PLAYING 4 GUARD LINEUP AT THE END
With Australia playing fast and wreaking havoc on the wings, Kerr opted for an interesting lineup to close the game with Tyrese Haliburton, Jrue Holiday, Anthony Edwards, and Devin Booker all on the floor &ndash; a 4-guard lineup &ndash; alongside Miami Heat big man Bam Adebayo. It could be argued that the lineup almost cost Team USA the game with the Boomers attacking the paint relentlessly against a relatively smaller Team USA lineup. However, it could also be argued on the other way that Kerr utilized the lineup to have more decision-makers on the floor, making reads, and moving the ball. Nonetheless, it was an interesting decision considering the personnel Kerr has at his disposal.&nbsp;
JOEL EMBIID GETTING ESTABLISHED ON OFFENSE
For the second straight game, no one from the opposing team could guard the NBA&rsquo;s MVP straight up. Joel Embiid had a better game vs Australia after fouling out vs Team Canada, scoring 10 points with 5 rebounds. He established his presence on the post, drawing out double teams. At times, Embiid attacked the man in front of him and scored twice on an and-ones. He also dished out assists to the open man when Australia came to double. Overall a good game from Embiid as Kerr has mentioned about Team USA wanting to establish the big man early on offense.&nbsp;

The USA Men’s National Basketball Team passed its second test after beating Australia, 98-92, in the USAB Showcase in Abu Dhabi.

Team USA defeats Australia in USA Basketball Showcase 98-92

The Atlanta Hawks will have a big decision to make in the offseason after winning the jackpot in the 2024 NBA Draft Lottery on Sunday afternoon.
The Hawks were big winners by landing the No.1 pick despite having only the 10th best odds coming into the lottery. The Detroit Pistons, who had the league&rsquo;s worst record and a share of the best odds, got unlucky and just landed the 5th overall pick.
The Washington Wizards struck gold as well by landing the 2nd overall pick while the Houston Rockets and the San Antonio Spurs rounded out the top 4 with the 3rd and 4th overall picks respectively.
Despite a relatively weak draft this year as regarded by most scouts, teams will have options to choose from and make their team better in Alex Sarr, Zaccharie Rissacher, Ron Holland, Matas Buzelis, and others.
Here&rsquo;s a look at the full results below:
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The 2024 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NBADraftLottery?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NBADraftLottery</a> presented by State Farm Results. Watch the 2024 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NBADraft?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NBADraft</a> presented by State Farm on June 26-27 at 8:00 PM ET on ABC/ESPN! <a href="https://t.co/tYARdeUDqA">pic.twitter.com/tYARdeUDqA</a>
&mdash; NBA (@NBA) <a href="https://twitter.com/NBA/status/1789745047035883919?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 12, 2024</a></blockquote>

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The Atlanta Hawks will have a big decision to make in the offseason after winning the jackpot in the 2024 NBA Draft Lottery on Sunday.

2024 NBA Draft Lottery: Hawks get no.1; Wizards, Rockets, Spurs round out top 4

Team USA players came inside the Kerry Sports basketball facility one by one, each sporting their preferred and comfortable gear from the blazing heat of the Philippine weather they were not so accustomed to. They were about to hold their first practices in Manila for the FIBA World Cup 2023, the sport&rsquo;s world championship meet.
Anthony Edwards was one of the last ones to enter the gym along with fellow NBA no.1 overall pick Paolo Banchero. He had his Adidas Adilette comfort slides put on with black Team USA jogger pants and an Adidas triple-colored hoodie. Edwards was fixated on his phone, walking past whispering reporters onto the team&rsquo;s huddle at center court, clearly being the center of attraction for the young Team USA squad.
&ldquo;That&rsquo;s who they call the Ant-Man.&rdquo;
Once upon a time, Edwards&rsquo; name was held in a much lower regard. The 22-year-old is considered to be one of the best and brightest young players in the league but has yet to establish himself as one of the staples and premier superstars with an iconic and deep playoff performance that cements him in that tier.
Until these playoffs.
Edwards has separated himself from the pack of young superstars leading their teams and entered the upper echelon of basketball royalty in the NBA. With the league anticipating the &lsquo;changing of the guard&rsquo; as current faces LeBron James, Stephen Curry, and Kevin Durant eventually diminish their shining glories as the league&rsquo;s best of the best, Edwards comes in as one of the hopefuls to take the mantle when that inevitable day comes.
&ldquo;I&rsquo;ve been saying that he (Edwards) is the face of the league but he hates it when I say it &ndash; but it&rsquo;s true. The future&rsquo;s so bright you gotta put the sunglasses on when you&rsquo;re walking around him,&rdquo; Karl-Anthony Towns said, in their post-game interview after their first-round series with the&nbsp;Phoenix Suns.
Edwards glanced briefly at Towns, who was beside him at the podium. He had that little smile on his face while bowing down his head as his teammate praised him in front of the listening reporters. He looked at Towns again, this time shaking his head in disbelief, but it had the element of confidence. There was obviously a focus on what Towns was talking about but with Edwards&rsquo; elite level-headedness through it all.&nbsp;
&ldquo;You&rsquo;re a young superstar in the league and you have to face it,&rdquo; the statement emphasized on Edwards as he&rsquo;s trying to soak it all in.
Ever since Edwards has been adamant about not calling himself anything until he wins in the playoffs. Now that his Wolves beat the Suns to win the franchise&rsquo;s first playoff series since 2004, Edwards certainly has all the right in the world to give himself even the tiniest bit of praise.
He thought for a good three seconds, glancing at the reporter and the horizon for a moment. He was just asked if he was now able to give himself some grace in that regard when people call him that &lsquo;young superstar&rsquo; label. A small grin emerged onto his face, clearly oozing with confidence albeit a controlled one. He looked back with that smile on his face while nodding, he said:
&ldquo;Nah, not yet a man. Not yet.&rdquo;
Behind this usual brash, confident, and charismatic Edwards is a hungry side that never gets contented and satisfied until he achieves his ultimate goal: winning a championship. Maybe he&rsquo;ll have the guts to call himself one when they reach the Finals and end up going all the way. But that remains to be seen.
He&rsquo;s got the swagger, the personality, and the charisma to be marketable by the league. Edwards mentioned wanting to go kill everybody that&rsquo;s in front of him, and boy, he did.&nbsp;
Edwards swept the Suns featuring his childhood idol and favorite player of all time Kevin Durant, who he has been jawing back and forth at several times in the series. This was him going at his childhood hero, taking on the challenge and never backing down. However, the play of the series happened in Game 4 when Minnesota was trying to put the nail in the coffin for Phoenix.&nbsp;
With 2:18 left on the clock in the 4th quarter, Edwards blew by Beal and rose through the air as high as he could. Durant made the right business decision by not going up together with a rampaging bull as he should For a brief moment, he looked like the second coming of a certain Michael Jordan &ndash; yet again &ndash; after he&rsquo;s been labeled as such throughout the course of the season after each jaw-dropping spectacular play. Edwards threw down a ferocious poster slam dunk that might have literally blown the roof over the Footprint Center as the play signaled the beginning of the end for the Suns.
Durant and Edwards will play together in Team USA in August for the Paris Olympics, and these two for sure would go head to head making their practice sessions much more interesting. &ldquo;It&rsquo;s definitely a good feeling because he&rsquo;s my favorite player of all time, and I can tell him that I was the one who sent him home. It&rsquo;s gonna be a fun summer for sure,&rdquo; Edwards said.
First game of the Western Conference Finals and up against the Nuggets, Edwards scored a playoff career-high 43 points. He dissected their entire defense, scoring in all types of ways imaginable for a superstar. Edwards hit threes, blown by some of the toughest defenders in the NBA Aaron Gordon, and hit fadeaway mid-range jumpers reminiscent of Jordan. More importantly, Edwards displayed the level of maturity a superstar has to make in the playoffs &ndash; playing off of your teammates and playmaking for the entire team. He has done it so far with relative ease and that&rsquo;s why the Timberwolves have found their early success in this postseason.
He&rsquo;s doing it against supposedly their biggest challenge &ndash; the defending champions &ndash; who sent them home a year ago. &ldquo;Last year we didn&rsquo;t have Jaden (McDaniels) and Naz (Reid) against them so it was quite frustrating. Now that we have both I think we can definitely do better,&rdquo; Edwards said about their biggest thing in this rematch series vs Denver is being healthy.
Before the season started, Edwards was this up-and-coming 22-year-old star leading his nation at the World Championships for a chance at glory. Although the Americans ended up not medalling after losing to eventual world champions Germany in the semifinals and to neighboring Canada in the third-place game, Edwards was clearly the best player on the team filled with young American talent. He led Team USA in scoring, and at 22 years old, this was only the start of a big year ahead.
Edwards then was the clear-cut best player for the third-best team in the West, with Minnesota having a 56-26 record. Those 56 wins were the most since 2004 when they had 58 and went to the Western Conference Finals. They were led back then by legend Kevin Garnett but that was also their last time seeing the playoffs.&nbsp;
20 years later, Edwards is now shouldering all the burden by taking this Wolves team back to relevance, basking in all the glory he&rsquo;s worked so hard to attain. He&rsquo;s one of the bonafide young rising superstars in the league, and he intends to take them all the way.
Edwards&rsquo; huge season and ascension to superstardom could be attributed back to something you see coming even from a mile away. And it all started in that summer lengthy yet productive summer in 2023.
While most players use their summers to recuperate, have a vacation somewhere, and spend time with families and loved ones, Edwards took a privileged yet opportunistic route: play with the National Team at the FIBA World Cup. Usually, NBA superstars all express their willingness to play with the National Team at the Olympics. For no definite reason, somehow the FIBA World Cup does not seem appealing to play for the older/senior superstar guys, so it&rsquo;s usually the juniors/young guys who represent Team USA. Anthony Edwards took up that challenge and became the best player for the team and in turn, he&rsquo;s reaping the benefits of it in the playoffs.
&ldquo;I&rsquo;ve put in work this summer. Big shoutout to the USA team, man. They got me ready for the season.&rdquo;
That killer mentality that Edwards has is something that&rsquo;s never seen often and has been with only a select few in the history of the game, particularly Jordan and Lakers great Kobe Bryant. Behind all that bold and tough personality, however, is a side of himself that genuinely enjoys playing with his teammates.
When asked about the prospect of having his Wolves&rsquo; teammates, the first thing out of his mouth was how he was excited to meet them while playing for their respective countries (Rudy Gobert for France, Karl-Anthony Towns for Dominican Republic, Kyle Anderson for China, and Nickeil Alexander-Walker for Canada). He looked forward to playing against them, citing how much fun he would have once it happened.
Despite his clear burgeoning superstardom, however,&nbsp; Edwards still deflected every credit thrown towards him. When asked what he feels as one of the guys being billed as one of the next faces of the league, Edwards dismissed the idea faster than a Math teacher dispersing students after giving out a tough assignment due &ndash;&nbsp; immediately answering without hesitation that he does not make anything of it.&nbsp;
&ldquo;I&rsquo;m just gonna keep working, man. I make nothing of it, yeah. I just hope that I keep getting better.&rdquo;
It was clear all along among all the people in the gym that fateful day: Edwards had the most aura out of them all. It was just oozing, something you can feel when you&rsquo;re around certain people. It&rsquo;s kind of intimidating, but only to a certain extent. You can just feel the energy brewing and that certain look when you come across one of the ones. The underlying factor before the season was Minnesota only having five national TV games all season long. With most of their games out of the eyes of the majority, Edwards assured one thing going into the season sternly and convincingly.
&ldquo;We just gonna try to keep playing, man. We&rsquo;re not really worried about the national TV games. As long as we win, we&rsquo;ll be on TV when we make it into the playoffs. The world will know about us.&rdquo;
As their playoff mantra suggests, the Timberwolves have been waiting for this moment since 2004. From the annals of the great Kevin Garnett&rsquo;s era to ushering this new one paved by superstar-in-the-making, young Anthony Edwards, the Minnesota Timberwolves have arrived.

The underlying factor before the season was Minnesota only having five national TV games all season despite having Anthony Edwards.

‘WOLVES BACK’: Anthony Edwards introduces the Timberwolves back to the world

On May 7, 1995, Indiana Pacers&rsquo; Reggie Miller put on one of the NBA's most legendary performances, scoring 8 points in 9 seconds against the New York Knicks to steal a could-have-been win, putting them on the wrong side of history.
It was a heartbreaking loss for the Knicks, who lost Game 1 of the 1995 Eastern Conference Finals at home in Madison Square Garden 107-105. New York already eliminated the Pacers in 1993 and 1994 and coming into their matchup, Indiana was raring to get back at them.
Miller first hit a three with 16.4 seconds to go, and then the Knicks&rsquo; Anthony Mason made a costly mistake by inbounding the ball right into Miller&rsquo;s hands. Greg Anthony, who was supposed to receive the inbounds pass, had slipped and it led to Miller hitting yet another three to tie the game at 105.&nbsp;
The Knicks got the ball back and had John Starks on the line to take back the lead, but he missed his two free throws allowing the Pacers to get the ball back. Miller sank two free throws and the Knicks could not get a shot off in time as the buzzer sounded, therefore creating Miller&rsquo;s &lsquo;8 points in 9 seconds&rsquo; legend at the Garden.
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After 29 years since that heartbreak, luckily New York was on the other side of history this time around.
On Monday night, New York faced the Philadelphia 76ers in Game 2 of their Eastern Conference round 1 clash. With 28 seconds to go and the Sixers up 5, Knicks point guard Jalen Brunson drove into the thick of the defense only to stumble and get stifled by Kyle Lowry and the Sixers&rsquo; defense. Teammate Donte DiVincenzo got the ball in the middle of all the action, choosing to back it out.&nbsp;
Brunson, who has been bothered by Philadelphia&rsquo;s defense and shooting just 8-29 all game long, got up, relocated to the corner, and the ball eventually went his way. He rose and did a step-back three move on Tyrese Maxey, and the ball barely went down through the rim while bouncing high before eventually dropping down as the Knicks cut the Sixers&rsquo; lead to just two, 101-99.
Philadelphia tried to inbound the ball cleanly to Maxey with 27 seconds left on the clock. However, amidst the chaos and the tough defense by Brunson and Josh Hart (with some arguable pushing and shoving and grabbing of jerseys), Maxey slipped on the floor and could not get to the ball. Hart got the steal and sent it right back to DiVincenzo trailing for the three, only to miss.
In an intense series of events, Knicks center Isaiah Hartenstein was the first to the ball, grabbing a huge offensive rebound to give another chance for the Knicks. He kicked it out to OG Anunoby who kicked it right back to DiVincenzo for another three. Splash. Nothing but net. The Knicks now suddenly lead 102-101 with 13.1 seconds remaining, leaving the Sixers befuddled on what just happened. Their 5-point lead suddenly turned to a 1-point deficit in a blink of an eye.
In the next possession, Philadelphia tried to get Maxey going downhill with a backscreen from Embiid. He sprinted down the floor and blew by everybody for the layup until Hartenstein made another big play by trailing down and blocking Maxey&rsquo;s shot, which sent the Garden into a frenzy. Anunoby made two free throws following the play to extend the Knicks&rsquo; lead 104-101.
The Sixers had one last shot at it to tie the game but Embiid missed a three at the buzzer, giving the Knicks one of its best wins in franchise history. A seemingly hopeless situation turned into a blessing with a series of events that will go down as one of the best moments in New York&rsquo;s lore &ndash; putting the team up 2-0 in their best-of-7 series going into Philadelphia.
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I didn't take a single breath this entire amazing sequence the Knicks took the lead to win the game <a href="https://t.co/p62a9U2y1r">pic.twitter.com/p62a9U2y1r</a>
&mdash; Kevin O'Connor (@KevinOConnorNBA) <a href="https://twitter.com/KevinOConnorNBA/status/1782593229281788138?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 23, 2024</a>
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</blockquote>
29 years ago, the Knicks suffered heartbreak. But now 29 years later, they find vindication in an eerily similar play to heal the hearts of the past.

In 1995, Reggie Miller scored the legendary '8 points in 9 seconds' against the Knicks to put them on the wrong side of history.

Knicks find vindication in clutch time at the Garden after 29 years

The Boston Celtics and the Miami Heat renew their playoff rivalry when they meet yet again in the playoffs. The two teams have faced each other three times (2020, 2022, 2023) over the past four postseason actions, with Miami having the advantage overall (2-1).
This year, the Celtics come in as the no.1 overall seed in the East while the Heat match them up as the no.8 seed. However, coming into these playoffs, there will be no expectations for Miami after learning their superstar Jimmy Butler would be out for at least several weeks following his knee injury in their play-in game against the Philadelphia 76ers.
They will be up against a dominant Celtics team that finished the regular season with a 64-18 record and the third-highest net rating of all time at 11.8, just behind the legendary Chicago Bulls teams led by the one and only Michael Jordan.
The Heat have faced the Celtics multiple times over the years and they now probably know some ways to effectively stop them, having schemes to try and limit their offensive executions as well as throwing some counters on offense to have their defense off-balanced.
Without Butler, this would be an uphill climb for Miami after what has been a roller coaster season for them and now facing their rivals who have become overwhelming favorites in this series.
However, there might be some things the Heat could do to make the dominant Celtics bleed a little for them to win some games (or even eventually win the series). Here&rsquo;s a look at those moves:
Duncan Robinson should play more
Along with Butler, Miami is coming into the series also without guards Terry Rozier and Josh Richardson due to their respective injuries. Without those three, the Heat&rsquo;s guard rotation has taken a significant hit with Tyler Herro, Delon Wright, and even forward Caleb Martin having to take a much bigger load offensively.
Enter Duncan Robinson.
Despite his usual suspect defense that has him riding the bench in the playoffs, coach Erik Spoelstra and the Heat could use his gravity as a shooter against the Celtics. Robinson has also steadily improved his playmaking this season, averaging a career-best 2.8 assists for the year. A better effort defensively has also made him a passable team defender, and he can hold his own against some players.
Gone are the days when the only option for Robinson was dribble handoffs for his threes as he has now shown the ability to attack off the catch and even developed the ability to make plays out of those dribble handoffs. Robinson is not the same player that he was before, expanding his game from being just more than a shooter to now being a secondary or third playmaker.
To further hide his defensive deficiencies and lessen the possible mishaps when he&rsquo;s on the floor, Robinson can be set up to match some of the Celtics&rsquo; easiest covers like Sam Hauser for both of their minutes. Robinson could come in at the same time as Hauser to match him up shot for shot, match his production from the three-point line, and try to see it from there.
The Heat should matchup-hunt and punish the Celtics&rsquo; average at-best defenders&nbsp;
Another thing that the Heat could do to tarnish the Celtics&rsquo; seemingly impenetrable team is to target their average-at-best defenders Payton Pritchard, Sam Hauser, and Luke Kornet. The Heat should hunt for Pritchard and Hauser on switches when they&rsquo;re on the floor and make them near to unplayable. They should also ask for switches on the high pick and roll with Kornet to leave him on an island at the top of the key. If they do this, the Heat could create two on-the-ball advantages that would be very useful in getting other guys open.
Miami has lineups that can exploit these players. Rookie Jaime Jaquez Jr., a prolific post-up player, could hunt Pritchard for post-ups, and then the Heat could surround him with shooters and short-roll decision-makers. If Boston sends two to the ball to help, it is an easy kick out to the open man and now the Heat have a chance to hit their wide-open looks.
If these players do end up getting played off the floor, the Celtics&rsquo; rotation will shrink and their top six guys will have to work as much as they can, exerting more effort than they should and usually do, and then maybe they&rsquo;ll tire out &ndash; which could be largely beneficial for the Heat in the long run. This is when the Heat&rsquo;s depth could come in handy &ndash; when Boston would need to rely only on their top six guys to win games.
Jaime Jaquez would need to be big
Despite being a rookie, Jaquez is about to shoulder a bigger load than he should be, and even with the daunting expectations, he should &ndash; or at least he needs to &ndash; match them.&nbsp;
Will he be able to exceed expectations and perform what&rsquo;s expected of him? That remains to be seen. But if there&rsquo;s any indication from this season with the way he played and carried himself throughout the year, this rookie would step up to the plate.&nbsp;
In the final play in vs Chicago, Jaquez had 21 points on 6 rebounds and 6 assists, leading the Heat to the 8th seed. He scored in a variety of ways, including threes, hard drives to the rim, post-ups, and fadeaway jumpers &ndash; reminiscent of Butler&rsquo;s game.
However, without Butler, Jaquez would have to carry a much bigger load as he will be asked to be one of the main threats. Last year Butler&rsquo;s masterclass saved them vs the much-favored Bucks and Celtics, but now that they don&rsquo;t have him, the Heat would need production from everyone in this series with little to no room for errors or any mental mistakes.&nbsp;
It might be too much to ask for a rookie to handle these kinds of situations, but Jaquez should be equipped and ready for the challenge as Miami enters this series vs Boston.

There will be no expectations for Miami after learning Jimmy Butler would be out for at least several weeks following his knee injury.

2024 NBA Playoffs: How the Heat could make the Celtics bleed

This article is part of a two-part series preview for the upcoming 2023-2024 NBA Playoffs.
With the 2023-2024 NBA Playoffs starting, all eyes will be on all teams competing for the championship as fans and players look on for a taste of postseason action. As eight playoff teams in each conference gear up for what promises to be an intense battle for the title, each team faces its own set of unique challenges. In this article, we take a closer look at the biggest question facing each Western Conference team heading into the playoffs, from injuries and roster changes to key matchups and strategic decisions.
<h3>Oklahoma City Thunder - How far can their youth and inexperience take them in the playoffs?</h3>
The Thunder got away through the regular season with historic from MVP frontrunner Shai Gilgeous Alexander, an impressive rookie season by Chet Holmgren, a star sophomore leap by Jalen Williams, and a coaching masterclass in a genius coach Mark Daigneault.
However, the playoffs as we know it is a different beast &ndash; will Mark Daigneault be able to sustain the good coaching he has done with his team throughout this regular season?
How much of this youth and inexperience be a factor for them to advance deeper in the playoffs; will they be able to use it to their advantage? Or will it be a hindrance against other experienced teams when they face each other in these tight situations? Most of the time, these situations require patience and discipline &ndash; teams with playoff experience have shown over time and have done it time and time again on their way to a deep playoff run.
<h3>Denver Nuggets - Can they go back to back?</h3>
There&rsquo;s really no other question for a team like the Nuggets at the peak of their powers: Can they win back-to-back titles? There has not been a back-to-back champion in the NBA for the past 5 years, with the last one coming in 2017 and 2018 when the Warriors won it all.
Like Boston, it is a title or bust status with Denver as of now. They have been fairly healthy throughout the regular season, have a mostly intact roster that won it all last year, and have the best player in the world in Nikola Jokic in his absolute prime. Denver this year has again all the necessary pieces to win &ndash; the right amount of shooters, defensive guys, scoring in the paint &ndash; which are all the makings of a championship team.
A couple of questionable factors though would be how much of an impact the loss of Bruce Brown would have in these playoffs. Brown was arguably the 5th, or 4th best player in their championship run last year &ndash; maybe even the 3rd in some games. He was essential on offense and defense, guarding the opponent&rsquo;s best perimeter threats while providing off-ball scoring and cuts that fit perfectly with Jokic.
Second, they&rsquo;ll be facing championship-caliber teams with hunger and drive to defeat them, and all have been competitive with the Nuggets this season. The Lakers, although the Nuggets swept them last year in the Western Conference Finals, still have LeBron James and Anthony Davis, and they won&rsquo;t take that lightly &ndash; likely coming back with a vengeance.
The Suns have won the season series with the Nuggets 2-1 and they pose a threat to the Nuggets with their formula of having three elite shotmakers that can explode anytime &ndash; which the Nuggets may not cover all at the same time.&nbsp; The Wolves, who perhaps have the best lineup suited to defeat them, are lurking in the same bracket waiting to pounce on them at sight.&nbsp;
These are all challenges a defending champion must go through to achieve a rare feat because the playoffs are supposed to be hard.
<h3>Minnesota Timberwolves -&nbsp; Will they finally break through after years of heartbreak?</h3>
This has already been a win of a season for the Timberwolves, achieving their second most wins in franchise history (56) since 2004 when they won 58 wins and reached the conference finals.
However, this has not stopped them from wanting more, and the wolfpack is not satisfied nor contented with just this achievement &ndash; they want more.
Minnesota wanting to go win that first playoff series like a hungry pack of wolves has been evident since trading for 3-time Defensive Player of the Year Rudy Gobert. Although they fell short last season due to untimely injuries to key players, the Wolves ran it back and have proven their little experiment with two bigs in star Karl Anthony Towns and Gobert would work.&nbsp;
Led by their resurgent young superstar Anthony Edwards equipped with the best defense in the league, Minnesota certainly hopes this team would be the one &ndash; the one to end the longest playoff series win droughts in the league for quite some time now.
<h3>Los Angeles Clippers - Will they be able to meet the expectations this time around?</h3>
The Clippers trading for James Harden signaled one thing for the franchise: They are going all in with Kawhi Leonard and Paul George and surrounding them with all the help they can get. They are far from a perfect team, but the Clippers want to have the best possible results this season before transferring to their new arena next year.
The Clippers have only appeared in the conference finals once in the Leonard-George era after being plagued by several injuries during their different playoff runs. Due to that, people haven&rsquo;t been able to see what the team is capable of when their two stars are fully healthy in a playoff run.
However, this year might just be their year. Their core of Harden, George, and Leonard have been mostly healthy all season long. The front office has also surrounded them with complementary pieces to help them win. LA now has usable bigs in Zubac, Plumlee, and Theis; they have Terrance Mann as their designated stopper; Norman Powell being the sixth man off the bench microwave scorer; a 3-and-D wing in Amir Coffe; and Russell Westbrook as the spark plug that gives them the boost and the energy off the bench.
After being just the &lsquo;second team in LA&rsquo; and &lsquo;that other team in LA&rsquo; for years, the Clippers aim to prove the doubters wrong and change the perception that surrounds the team as they pivot into a new era of Clippers basketball.&nbsp;
<h3>Dallas Mavericks - Will Luka finally fulfill the promise he has been showing so far in his career?</h3>
Throughout his young NBA career, Luka Doncic has had one of the best starts since LeBron James statistically. He has been in constant range of breaking or matching LeBron&rsquo;s records in points scored, triple-doubles, assists, and rebounds. However, this has not always translated into wins with Doncic just appearing in just one conference finals in the first six years of his career. But that might change this season.&nbsp;&nbsp;
This year, the Mavericks have put up arguably the best roster on paper that Luka has had in his career &ndash; arguably even better than the 2022 team that made the conference finals.
Alongside Doncic&rsquo;s MVP act is a true partner in crime in Kyrie Irving; shot-blocking and rim-rolling vertical threats in Daniel Gafford and Lively; rugged forwards that can shoot in PJ Washington, Dante Exum, Josh Green, and Derrick Jones; a microwave off-the-bench scorer in Tim Hardaway Jr; and veteran bigs that have been in Dallas for quite some time now and you can count on in always with Maxi Kleber and Dwight Powell.
Can Luka finally overcome the Clippers? This season was one for the books with an MVP caliber and worthy year by averaging close to 34 points a game with 9 rebounds and 9 assists per game. Doncic has taken his game to another level in the regular season &ndash; this time, can he take his playoff game to another level as well?
All great young players have to go through someone as the stepping stone to reach newer heights &ndash; and Luka has lost to this Kawhi Leonard and Paul George-led Clippers team twice already in his career in the playoffs.
LeBron had to go through the Celtics, Jordan had to go through the Pistons. Could it be Luka&rsquo;s turn to get through this Clippers team that has tormented him for two playoff series?
<h3>Phoenix Suns - Will this new formula take them over the top?</h3>
The Suns have experienced substantial playoff success over the past three years by having a Finals appearance and reaching the conference semifinals twice. However, those groups fell short, with the feeling of something lacking or something missing that could take them over the top.
So lo and behold, Phoenix scrapped it and took a different approach this season &ndash; ditching the point guard spot and getting a rugged and physical big that could set screens and not demand the ball much on offense.
In its place came through as the Suns traded for Bradley Beal &ndash; going with a new formula by having three shot creators and shotmakers on the floor at the same time &ndash; pairing him with Kevin Durant and Devin Booker. They also traded away former no.1 overall pick DeAndre Ayton for Jusuf Nurkic, a wide-bodied center whose job is to set screens, rebound, and get their three creators open in the lane or for jump shots.
They added an elite shooter in Grayson Allen to space the floor alongside those three, or sometimes Royce O&rsquo;Neale comes in for more defense against the opposing perimeter threats.
The Suns&rsquo; new approach and formula to the game make it incredibly hard to defend because you have to have three elite defenders to contain those three shot-creators, who can explode and get buckets at any point in the game. Although their defense is still suspect at times, the main point of this lineup is not to outscore &ndash; but to out-create teams and have a variety of options to dissect and defeat defenses.
If this new strategy works and could take the Suns to the promised land in these playoffs remains to be seen.
<h3>Los Angeles Lakers - Will they have enough this time around?</h3>
Despite a strong run to the Western Conference Finals as a 7th seed, the Lakers fell short last year vs the Nuggets after being swept 4-0. Throughout the season, the Nuggets&rsquo; dominance of the purple and gold continued, and now they have lost eight straight games against this Denver team.&nbsp;
However, there is optimism that the Lakers will turn it around and have a different result vs the Nuggets. Superstar LeBron James, even at 39 years old, looks to prove that he still has something left in the tank. Although they got outplayed and outcoached last in that series by the Nuggets, James can make those adjustments being the cerebral and high IQ player that he is.
James is perhaps one of the best if not the best tactically sound players of all time, so it would make sense &ndash; if they were to defeat Denver, he needs to be able to outsmart Nikola Jokic and the Denver Nuggets this time around. Superstar tandem Anthony Davis will also be vital to the series having to defend the &lsquo;Joker&rsquo; and producing buckets himself.
The Lakers will also feature some new bench pieces this year that could be difference makers in the series Taurean Prince, Spencer Dinwiddie, and Gabe Vincent, all of whom could defend and hit those spot-up threes if needed.
Then there&rsquo;s a hungry D&rsquo;Angelo Russell who had a bad series vs Denver last year raring to bounce back along with an always-solid Austin Reaves to be the stabilizer.
<h3>Pelicans - How will they fare without Zion Williamson?</h3>
The New Orleans Pelicans start and end with their young star Zion Williamson. After going out with what is to be believed a left hamstring strain, everything now hinges on his health.&nbsp;
The Pelicans obviously need him no matter what and whether or not he&rsquo;s healthy for their first-round series vs the Thunder will likely be the answer if they win it or not.
We&rsquo;ve seen what Williamson is capable of doing, scoring 40 points and grabbing 11 rebounds in his first taste of postseason action in their play-in game vs the Lakers. The burly forward bullied the Lakers&rsquo; defense and he showed his once generational type of body and scoring prowess come together after finally being healthy for a full season in his five years in the NBA.
New Orleans has fallen short a lot of times in the playoffs, either failing to make it or to win a series, and it is clear that Zion is the difference that separates them from winning or losing a playoff series.

s eight playoff teams in each conference gear up for what promises to be an intense battle for the title, each team faces its own set of unique challenges.

Brett