Michael Conforto's RBI single
Overreaction Monday: Rich Eisen Talks Dodgers, 49ers, Packers & More
Rich Eisen weighs in on the 49ers, Packers QB Jordan Love, CJ Stroud and the Houston Texans, the NBA Finals, the Stanley Cup Final, and the Dodgers taking 2 out of 3 against the Yankees over the weekend.
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Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
If you're a Sonics fan, cackle along with me at the Thunder's game 3 Finals loss
I did not shout in excitement when Indiana's Obi Toppin dunked home the rebound of Tyrese Haliburton's missed lay-in late in Wednesday's Game 3 of the NBA Finals. I neither hooted nor did I holler. I live in an apartment building and I have neighbors. But as Toppin dropped from the rim, his dunk having pushed the Pacers' lead to seven points with 4:23 left, I did emit a laugh so high-pitched it could only be described as a cackle: the kind of thing you'd hear from a witch or the furry little rodent that sat on Jabba The Hutt's lap in 'Return of the Jedi.' I was … giddy, a feeling I'm not sure I've ever experienced while watching sports. I've been so happy that I've hugged strangers (2024 Sugar Bowl, UW vs. Texas). I've been so angry I couldn't speak (UW loss to Oregon, 2021). Two years ago, when Washington beat Oregon at Husky Stadium, a guy puked on my shoes and I was so elated by the Huskies victory that I wasn't even mad. But nothing has generated as much sheer unadulterated glee for me as watching the Oklahoma City Thunder lose, which is exactly what happened on Wednesday. The Thunder led by as many as nine points in the first half, and they were up five entering the fourth quarter only to watch the Pacers pull away in the final 7 minutes of the game, winning 116-107. This being the sports section, I probably should probably give you some facts. Bennedict Mathurin, a third-year guard from Arizona, scored 27 off the bench to lead Indiana while Haliburton went for 22 and Pascal Siakam scored 21. Oklahoma City had three players score 20 or more, too: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (24), Jalen Williams (26) and Chet Holmgren (20). The difference was depth. The Pacers' bench scored 49 points, the Thunder's 18. The truth is I don't care all that much about how it happened so long as the Thunder lost. You see, being a hater is a bottom-line business. I've also discovered that it's a thoroughly enjoyable way to watch a sport. You don't have to wait until Seattle is awarded an NBA expansion franchise to have a rooting interest. We can all join hands together and hope that the team that was stolen from us fails to win a championship for the 17th consecutive season. I know, it sounds kind of petty and immature. That's because it is petty and immature, and you can sit with the grown-ups if you want, but I'm having a hell of a time down here on the low road, thinking about just how devastating it would be for the Thunder to lose to the Pacers, who were 5-to-1 underdogs when the series began. He-he-he. I just cackled again. Don't worry, I know better than to make any premature proclamations. We've still got a long way to go. The Thunder trailed the Denver Nuggets 2-1 in the Western Conference semifinals only to come back and win the series in a seventh game. As an experienced hater, trust me when I say you've got to keep an even keel about these things. You can't get too high when the team you loathe loses just like you can't let yourself get too low when they win. You also need some stamina. When you're cheering for a team, momentum builds over the course of a playoff run. People around you are getting excited, too. When you're rooting against one, though, it takes effort and a laser focus not to get discouraged as you watch a team like the Thunder keep clearing hurdles. A cake walk over Memphis in the first round. A seven-game nail-biter against Denver, and then a Minnesota team that absolutely mailed in the fifth and final game of the conference finals. At some point you might even find yourself conceding that it is possible, perhaps even likely, that the one team you absolutely do not want to win the sport's top prize may do just that. And it is in those moments, when doubt starts to creep in, I like to remind myself just what I'm in this for: misery. More specifically: Oklahoma City's misery, and the closer the Thunder get to a championship, the more misery a loss is going to induce. Someone with more going for them and less resentment might decide that investing this much energy in a certain team NOT winning might not be healthy. I have a word for these sorts of people: amateurs. You don't spend this much time hating this one team without going through a few gut checks that really show what you're made of, and my loathing of the Thunder is built to last. In fact, I can think of only one thing that might dilute my venom: If Seattle were to be awarded an expansion franchise, and if this expansion franchise were to be named the Sonics, and if the Sonics were to win their second NBA championship before the Thunder were to win their city's first, then I might dial back my animosity. But probably not. It's too much fun hating the Thunder. I better stop now before I start cackling again. Danny O'Neil was born in Oregon, the son of a logger, but had the good sense to attend college in Washington. He's covered Seattle sports for 20 years, writing for two newspapers, one glossy magazine and hosting a daily radio show for eight years on KIRO 710 AM. You can subscribe to his free newsletter and find his other work at
an hour ago
Panthers can move to the verge of winning the Stanley Cup again if they beat the Oilers in Game 4
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. -- Leading the Stanley Cup Final 2-1, the Florida Panthers can move to the verge of a second consecutive championship if they beat the Edmonton Oilers in Game 4 at home Thursday night. The Panthers were upbeat and relaxed at their final full practice before the potential swing game, with players downplaying the gravity of the situation. 'I feel like every game's so big during this time," center Anton Lundell said Wednesday. 'The stakes gets higher. Everybody wants to win. But we both know for both teams it's a big game, and we want to be good.' They were more than good in Game 3, routing the Oilers 6-1 to take control of a series that looked evenly matched after a bunch of overtime hockey and a split in Edmonton. 'Usually you get teams' best after that, I think especially with the players they have in the room, how competitive they are, they're going to look to bounce back," said Brad Marchand, who is tied with teammate Sam Bennett for the most goals in the final with four apiece. "When you have that kind of leadership, they normally lead the way, those top guys. That's a dangerous combination. We have to make sure that we bring our best.' The Panthers are nearing full strength at a time of year usually known for players gutting through injuries, with Paul Maurice saying Sam Reinhart is back healthy and Matthew Tkachuk looks like he is rounding into form. The Oilers are missing Zach Hyman because of his playoff-ending wrist injury, and fellow top-line forward Ryan Nugent-Hopkins is dealing with something that is keeping him off the ice for practices and making him a game-time decision. That discrepancy could make a difference in their Cup final rematch. One thing that is the same is Florida locking in and normalizing pressure situations like this. 'Our approach, it's pretty similar the entire playoffs," said Bennett, who leads all scorers this postseason with 14 goals. "Whether it's Game 1 or Game 7, we play the same style. We play just as hard. We're not sitting back, so we really are not going to be changing anything in this next game or any other games to come.'
Newsweek
an hour ago
- Newsweek
Caitlin Clark Has Had a Shocking Playoff Impact for the Pacers
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. The Indiana Pacers pulled off a massive Game 3 win in the NBA Finals over the Oklahoma City Thunder on Wednesday night. After losing Game 2, the Pacers bounce back strong and pulled out a hard-fought 116-107 win to take a 2-1 series lead. Coming into the Finals, very few were giving Indiana a chance to knock off the Thunder. Oklahoma City, who was the best team in the NBA during the regular season, is a much tougher opponent than anyone the Pacers have faced to this point in the playoffs. They're still finding ways to win. In Game 3, Indiana Fever superstar Caitlin Clark was in attendance. She has attended eight games throughout the playoffs and her presence has made a shocking impact. Aliyah Boston, Lexie Hull and Caitlin Clark of the Indiana Fever attend Game Six of the Eastern Conference Finals of the 2025 NBA Playoffs between the New York Knicks and the Indiana Pacers at Gainbridge... Aliyah Boston, Lexie Hull and Caitlin Clark of the Indiana Fever attend Game Six of the Eastern Conference Finals of the 2025 NBA Playoffs between the New York Knicks and the Indiana Pacers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on May 31, 2025 in Indianapolis, Indiana. More Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Image During the eight games that she has appeared at Indiana home games, the Pacers have gone 8-0 in the postseason. She's apparently their good luck charm. Read more: Caitlin Clark's Iowa Coach Reveals Details About Fever Star's Rise FanDuel noted Clark's impact on games when she makes an appearance in the playoffs. The Pacers are unbeatable with Caitlin Clark in the building 🔥#YesCers | #NBAFinals — FanDuel (@FanDuel) June 12, 2025 Needless to say, Indiana can only hope that Clark is able to attend Game 4 on Friday night. The Fever do play at home on Saturday afternoon against the New York Liberty, which could give the WNBA superstar a legitimate chance to make an appearance once again. Should the series go to a Game 6 between the Pacers and Thunder, that game would be played on June 19. Clark's team would be on the road playing the Golden State Valkyries, which would take her potential appearance off the table. During Indiana's Game 3 win over Oklahoma City, Bennedict Mathurin led the way with 27 points off of the bench. Tyrese Haliburton had a big-time game with 22 points, 11 assists, and nine rebounds, while Pascal Siakam scored 21 points in the win. Read more: Celtics Receive Major Kristaps Porzingis Update Before NBA Offseason Heading into Game 4 on Friday night, the Pacers are just two wins away from their first championship in franchise history. Those two wins won't come easy, but they have already exceeded the expectations that many had set for them entering the NBA Finals. Hopefully, Clark will be able to attend Game 4 and remain undefeated while attending Indiana home games. Taking a 3-1 series lead would be a huge step for the Pacers, but the Thunder aren't going to let that happen easily. Game 4 is scheduled to tip off at 8:30 p.m. on Friday evening. For more on the Indiana Pacers and general NBA news, head on over to Newsweek Sports.
