Aaron Nesmith discusses preparations for Game 3 of the NBA Finals
Aaron Nesmith is averaging 13.8 points and 5.8 rebounds per game in the NBA Playoffs.
Dustin Dopirak
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Has Strong Words For Chet Holmgren During NBA Finals
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Has Strong Words For Chet Holmgren During NBA Finals originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Game 2 of the NBA Finals featured a much-needed bounce-back performance for the Oklahoma City Thunder after a stunning defeat in Game 1. The Thunder dominated the Indiana Pacers, comfortably winning a commanding 123-107 outing on Sunday. Advertisement Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had a big part in the win. The 2024-25 MVP posted 34 points, eight assists, five rebounds, four steals, and one block. Chet Holmgren was one of the players who struggled in that first loss of the series. The Thunder big man only had six points and six rebounds in Game 1. The second game in Oklahoma City was much better. Holmgren finished with 15 points, six rebounds, and one block. There was a notable difference from the get-go with the young star. May 26, 2025; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder forward Jalen Williams (8), forward Chet Holmgren (7) and guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) talk to the media after defeating the Minnesota Timberwolves in game four of the western conference finals for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Target Center. © Jesse Johnson-Imagn Images The impressive part of the improvements from Holmgren was the fact that Gilgeous-Alexander said it was all self-motivated. The Thunder superstar had some strong words for his teammate after the series was evened up at 1-1. Advertisement "The special thing about Chet is nobody said anything to him," Gilgeous-Alexander stated after the Game 2 win. "He's such a competitor, and he gets lost in the competition, and I think he's the best version of himself now." "He's going to go out there and make mistakes just like the rest of us, but his intentions, his intangibles, his skill set, and the things you just can't teach that he does on the basketball court, they'll take over as long as he continues to have that right mindset. Which he does 99.999 percent of the time. And yeah, you don't have to worry about Chet. He's going to be that guy." -Shai Gilgeous-Alexander The Thunder will hope that Gilgeous-Alexander's words resonate with Holmgren moving forward. However, according to the superstar point guard himself, his teammate is capable of figuring everything out all by himself. Related: Ex-NBA Player Compares OKC Thunder to Old Dynasty Team Related: Brian Windhorst Sends Major OKC Thunder Warning to NBA This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 9, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
Concerning NBA Finals Trend Haunting OKC Thunder Against Indiana Pacers
Concerning NBA Finals Trend Haunting OKC Thunder Against Indiana Pacers originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Oklahoma City Thunder could not regain homecourt advantage in Game 3 of the NBA Finals. The Indiana Pacers managed to take a 2-1 lead with a strong 116-107 victory. Advertisement The Thunder got the early advantage in the game, going up 32-24. After the Pacers counterpunched in the second quarter, the Thunder reestablished themselves with a 29-20 third. The Pacers then did what they do best: show up for crunch-time. Indiana outscored Oklahoma City 32-18 in the fourth quarter to secure the comeback victory. Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton looks to pass the ball as Oklahoma City Thunder guard Cason Wallace defends during Game 2 of the 2025 NBA Finals at Paycom Center on June 8, Adams-Imagn Images The Pacers got several key performances to help propel them to the Game 3 win. Tyrese Haliburton just missed out on a triple-double with 22 points, 9 rebounds, and 11 assists. Pascal Siakam also pulled his weight with 21 points, six rebounds, four assists, two blocks, and 1 steal. Bennedict Mathurin added 27 points off the bench for the Pacers too. Advertisement All of this helped Indiana get the push they needed when trailing the Thunder. In all fairness, the Pacers are more than familiar with falling behind in this series despite the 2-1 lead. According to Keerthika Uthayakumar, "The Indiana Pacers are up 2-1 in the NBA Finals. They've only led for 10.7% of game time (20.6 minutes). Their largest lead of the series is 9." This is a trend that appears more than par for the course for a Pacers team that is used to making their fans sweat this postseason. Indiana has signature come from behind victories in all rounds of their NBA Playoffs journey so far. Advertisement The Pacers secured comebacks against the Milwaukee Bucks, Cleveland Cavaliers, New York Knicks, and the Thunder. Each time, they have left their opponents shocked and stunned. The Thunder will have to approach every remaining game without remorse. Giving the Pacers any signs of life will only result in disaster. Related: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Has Strong Words For Chet Holmgren During NBA Finals Related: Pacers' Bennedict Mathurin Makes NBA History in Game 3 vs. Thunder This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 12, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
Mavericks' Kyrie Irving passionately defends Karl-Anthony Towns from trolls
The post Mavericks' Kyrie Irving passionately defends Karl-Anthony Towns from trolls appeared first on ClutchPoints. The Dallas Mavericks may be out of the postseason, but Kyrie Irving is still making headlines—and this time, it's not for his play on the court. In a recent Twitch stream, the Dallas Mavericks guard stood up for his longtime friend and fellow New Jersey native, Karl-Anthony Towns, as the New York Knicks big man faced waves of online trolling following the 2025 NBA Playoffs. Advertisement In the stream, which quickly went viral, Irving addressed critics targeting Towns after the Knicks' loss in the Eastern Conference Finals. 'Y'all gotta stop making fun of my brother KAT… I don't agree all the time when he be changing up his tone, but he's a man, he's my brother, and I protect him.' Towns, who averaged 24.4 points and 12.6 rebounds this season, drew online ridicule not just for his on-court inconsistencies, but for moments when fans claimed he broke character—labeling him 'zesty' in viral clips. Despite a string of strong playoff performances, including a 35-point showing against the Indiana Pacers, criticism around his demeanor and fluctuating efficiency gained traction. Still, Irving was quick to defend Towns' growth, resilience, and undeniable impact, urging fans to respect his evolution both as a player and person. Advertisement Their bond dates back to childhood in New Jersey, where both overcame adversity en route to NBA stardom. Towns even credits Irving for helping him add a signature fadeaway jumper to his arsenal. While the Mavs await Irving's return from a torn ACL, his leadership continues to be felt beyond the court. Irving's passionate support of Towns shows the kind of player mentorship that matters in today's league—not just about stats, but solidarity. Towns, who was traded to the Knicks before the 2024 season tipped off, remains a central piece of their long-term plans. While his contract is already secured, the public conversation around his value continues—and support from a respected peer like Irving may help shift that narrative. The Mavericks guard wrapped up his Twitch stream with a mix of humor and heart, even joking he'd 'retaliate in GTA' if the memes didn't stop. But beneath the sarcasm was a serious message, players protect their own. Advertisement As both stars face defining periods—Irving in recovery, Towns striving for consistency—their bond continues to resonate across the league. Related: Mavericks reject Knicks' Jason Kidd interview request Related: NBA reveals 2025 Mexico City matchup
