Myles Turner details how Pacers lost to Thunder
Myles Turner details how Pacers lost to Thunder originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
On Sunday night, the Indiana Pacers fell to the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 2 of the NBA Finals, losing 123-107. After roaring back in Game 1, the Pacers entered the game with all the momentum in the world, but the Thunder showed why they are heavy favorites.
Advertisement
The series will shift to Indiana for the next two games, and the Pacers are hoping to find some home-court advantage in Games 3 and 4, although they know that they make their own luck and have to be in total control of the series.
The Pacers cruised past the Milwaukee Bucks, Cleveland Cavaliers, and New York Knicks in the playoffs thanks to their speedy play on both ends of the floor, although the Thunder's offense in Game 2, especially in the halfcourt, was methodical and efficient, limiting misses and mistakes.
As a result, the Pacers couldn't get out and run, causing the chaos that they often thrive in.
"Force them to a miss," outlined Myles Turner as a simple goal for the Pacers. "You grab the ball, get out of transition, and play our best basketball. But if we're having to take the ball out every single time or fouls, it slows down our offense, obviously. So, just finding more and more ways to mix it up defensively."
Advertisement
The Thunder and Pacers both took 82 shots in the game, although OKC, obviously, made more, and they got to the free throw line with ease, slowing the game down and allowing their defense to get set on the other end.
While Indiana has embraced physicality this year, if it results in fouls, soft or not, it defeats the purpose of bringing defensive intensity.
Check out the All Pacers homepage for more news, analysis, and must-read articles.
Related: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Reveals 'Hard' Lesson Indiana Pacers Taught Him
Related: Pacers Struggle to Compete as Thunder Tie the Series
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 9, 2025, where it first appeared.

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
12 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Explosive Edge Rusher Hudson Woods Commits to SMU Football
Explosive Edge Rusher Hudson Woods Commits to SMU Football originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Hilltop just got a lot louder. When Smithson Valley edge rusher Hudson Woods announced his commitment to SMU, he didn't just add another name to the 2026 class, he lit a fire under a program already trending upward in the ACC. Woods, a disruptive force off the edge, tallied 13 sacks and 20 quarterback hurries in his junior high school season, and he's now poised to wreak havoc in red and blue. Advertisement 'I love everything,' Woods told On3 following his official visit. 'The culture, the environment, the opportunities. As soon as I stepped on campus for the first time, I knew that this place is my home.' For Mustang fans, it's a commitment that signals more than just a win on the recruiting trail, it's a reflection of SMU's growing momentum under head coach Rhett Lashlee and defensive staff who are building a modern contender with a ferocious defensive identity. SMU Mustangs head coach Rhett Lashlee© Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports Woods, a three-star recruit ranked No. 72 at his position nationally, drew offers and took official visits to Oklahoma State, Northwestern, and Wisconsin, but it was the culture in Dallas, and the connection with edge rushers coach Sam Dunnam that sealed it. Advertisement 'Coach Dunnam is an amazing coach. Someone I could definitely see coaching me,' Woods said. 'Practice was super entertaining. Looks like a lot of fun, and I had a bunch of great talks with all the coaches.' That connection isn't just talk, it's rooted in a coaching staff that emphasizes speed, aggression, and leadership on the defensive line. SMU's defense has been steadily climbing in performance and recruiting rankings, and Woods represents the next gear. SMU fans saw flashes of dominance from the defensive front last season. With Woods in the fold, there's now a clear blueprint for building a ACC-caliber pass rush. His commitment reinforces the idea that top Texas talent no longer sees SMU as a fallback, it's a destination. The Mustangs' push toward a national stage has become more believable with each high-profile pledge, and Woods' commitment gives fans one more reason to believe: this team isn't just recruiting well, they're recruiting the right kind of player. Advertisement With relentless pursuit, explosive first-step quickness, and Texas-sized ambition, Hudson Woods is the kind of edge rusher you build a defense around. And now, he's a Mustang. Related: ESPN analyst has words for SMU Football's playoff credibility Related: SEC Blue Blood Accused of Tampering With SMU QB Kevin Jennings This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 10, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
12 minutes ago
- Yahoo
WNBA Fans In Disbelief Over What Angel Reese Did in Liberty-Sky Game
WNBA Fans In Disbelief Over What Angel Reese Did in Liberty-Sky Game originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Chicago Sky entered Tuesday's clash with the New York Liberty looking to rebound from Sunday's lopsided 79-52 loss to the Indiana Fever. That blowout was compounded by the season-ending ACL injury to point guard Courtney Vandersloot and ongoing offensive struggles from Angel Reese, who finished the night with just four points. Advertisement Reese's season stats entering Tuesday were 9.1 points and 12.3 rebounds per game. While her rebounding remains elite—she's pulled down more boards than she's scored points, a rare achievement in the WNBA—her offensive efficiency has lagged, with a 30.9% field goal percentage, sparking concern from WNBA fans. Chicago Sky forward Angel Reese (5).Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images However, in sharp contrast to her rocky starts in previous games, Reese exploded out of the gate to begin Tuesday's contest. She recorded seven points and six rebounds in a dominant first quarter. Among those points was a rare three-pointer—a surprise shot to many, given she's not known for her perimeter shooting, and had made just four in her WNBA career entering the game. Fans on social media quickly took notice: Advertisement 'WOWOWOW,' a fan posted. 'Ohh okay !!' another fan wrote. 'We need you to do this more often, Angel,' a third fan added. 'Angel Reese for three Abnormal happenings in New York,' another fan wrote. 'Angel Reese from three wow!!!' another fan said. "ANGEL FOR THREE?" one asked. Reese has faced criticism for her offensive output, yet this early showing against a strong Liberty defense suggests she may be beginning to address those concerns head-on. However, Chicago still entered the break down 52-32. Related: WNBA Receives Major News Amid Caitlin Clark Injury Related: Chicago Sky Had 5 Words Before Historic Indiana Fever Game This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 11, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
12 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Cam Jordan Draws Inspiration From House of the Dragon
Cam Jordan Draws Inspiration From House of the Dragon originally appeared on Athlon Sports. In the 2011 NFL Draft, the New Orleans drafted Cam Jordan out of Cal with the 24th pick. It was a brilliant move for the franchise. The future Hall of Fame defensive end, who turns 36 year old in July, is now entering year 15 in the Big Easy. Advertisement As we have seen before on numerous occasions for mini-camp and training camp arrivals, Cam is no stranger to a new hairstyle. This year, Jordan showed up with bleached blonde braids. He cited the HBO show 'House of the Dragon' which will start its third season in 2026 as his inspiration. The Game of Thrones spin-off first aired in 2022. "I wanted to be a Velaryon…and I was like you know what, this guy. This guy's got something going on. Now granted, I thought I'd do the beard, too, but I didn't like the way the fumes was rising. So I kept it exactly how I wanted to. I think this is me. I'll see how long it lasts." Jordan then told the assembled media, 'Honestly, I thought I was gonna cut it off but then I was like, let's have some fun with it. So, this is my version of fun. Advertisement According to the Westeros wiki, 'House Velaryon is an ancient and proud family, with the blood of old Valyria in in their veins. The Velaryons were the oldest and closest allies of the Targaryens for centuries.' The Saints will continue mini-camp tomorrow and Thursday. All practices take place at Ochsner Sports Performance Center in Metairie. Wednesday's practice begins at 11:50 a.m. CT and is sold out. Related: Livvy Dunne Wants to Make 'Hot Girl Fishing' a Thing Related: Some Fans are Disgusted by Livvy Dunne's Latest Viral Video Related: Livvy Dunne Shares Her Workout Secrets Related: Livvy Dunne Shares Revealing Swimsuit Photos This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 11, 2025, where it first appeared.