Thunder find themselves in familiar territory in NBA Finals, trailing 2-1 in another series
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Game 1, a loss on the opposition's final shot. Game 2, an easy win. Game 3, another loss to fall behind in the series again.
This formula is not the one that would be considered optimal by the Oklahoma City Thunder, especially in the NBA Finals. But if there is some consolation for the overall No. 1 seed in these playoffs, it's this: the Thunder have been in this exact spot before and found a way to prevail.
That resiliency will be tested yet again, after the Indiana Pacers beat the Thunder 116-107 on Wednesday night to take a 2-1 series lead in these finals. Game 4 is in Indianapolis on Friday night.
There are uncanny similarities between the first three games of this series and the first three games of the Western Conference semifinal matchup between Oklahoma City and Denver.
— In Game 1 of the West semifinals, Aaron Gordon hit a 3-pointer with about 3 seconds left to give the Nuggets a win in Oklahoma City. In Game 1 of the NBA Finals, Tyrese Haliburton hit a jumper with 0.3 seconds left to give the Pacers a win in Oklahoma City.
— In Game 2 of the West semifinals, the Thunder evened things up with an easy win. In Game 2 of the NBA Finals, the Thunder evened things up with an easy win.
— In Game 3 of the West semifinals, Denver — at home for the first time in that series — played from behind most of the night before fighting into overtime and eventually getting a win for a 2-1 series lead. In Game 3 of the NBA Finals, Indiana — at home for the first time in the series — trailed for much of the first half before eventually getting a win for a 2-1 series lead.
The Thunder dug their way out of that hole against the Nuggets. And now, the same task awaits — with an NBA title at stake.
___
AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/NBA
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Washington Post
19 minutes ago
- Washington Post
Yankees scratch across late run to edge Royals 1-0 and complete season sweep
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Pablo Reyes stumbled, stopped and still scrambled home safely on a wild play in the eighth inning Thursday night, taking advantage of a throwing error by reliever Lucas Erceg to give the New York Yankees a 1-0 victory over the Kansas City Royals. New York completed a three-game sweep to finish 6-0 against the Royals this season after eliminating them 3-1 in their best-of-five playoff series last October.
Washington Post
an hour ago
- Washington Post
Misiorowski dominates before departing MLB debut with leg cramps as Brewers blank Cardinals 6-0
MILWAUKEE — Jacob Misiorowski pitched five no-hit innings before leaving his major league debut with cramping in his right calf and quadriceps as the Milwaukee Brewers defeated the St. Louis Cardinals 6-0 on Thursday night. Misiorowski (1-0) slipped on the front part of the mound after throwing his third pitch of the sixth. After medical staff went to check on him, he was removed in favor of Nick Mears.
CBS News
an hour ago
- CBS News
Yankees scratch across late run to edge Royals 1-0, complete season sweep
Pablo Reyes stumbled, stopped and still scrambled home safely on a wild play in the eighth inning, taking advantage of a throwing error by reliever Lucas Erceg to give the New York Yankees a 1-0 victory over the Kansas City Royals on Thursday night. New York completed a three-game sweep to finish 6-0 against the Royals this season after eliminating them 3-1 in their best-of-five playoff series last October. Backed by some brilliant defense, Will Warren and four relievers combined on a five-hitter as the AL East-leading Yankees (42-25) moved a season-high 17 games over .500. They have the best road record in the majors at 21-13. Mark Leiter Jr. (4-3) got one out for the win, and Devin Williams earned his ninth save with a perfect ninth. He threw a called third strike past Jac Caglianone to end it, freezing the touted rookie with a full-count fastball. The game was interrupted by rain for 28 minutes in the top of the sixth. With two on and two outs in the eighth, Paul Goldschmidt lined a single off the glove of leaping first baseman Vinnie Pasquantino. He tracked down the ball behind him and threw to Erceg (1-2) covering first, but Goldschmidt beat the play. Reyes lost his balance coming around third, changed direction twice and then slid home safely when Erceg bounced his throw to the plate. Both starters pitched 5 2/3 scoreless innings. Seth Lugo allowed just two hits, while Warren permitted four. Pasquantino extended his hitting streak to a career-high 12 games and his on-base streak to a career-best 27 games. New York rested Aaron Judge, Jazz Chisholm Jr. and Austin Wells, who were a combined 7 for 23 with three homers and 10 RBIs in the first two games of the series. Key moments The Royals squandered two excellent chances to take their first lead of the series. In the second inning, they had runners on first and second with nobody out. In the fifth, they had a runner at third with one out. Key stat New York swept a season series from the Royals for the third time in their 57-year history. ... The Yankees have won 19 of the past 20 series between the teams. Up next Yankees LHP Ryan Yarbrough (3-1, 4.17 ERA) faces Boston LHP Garrett Crochet (6-4, 2.35) in the opener of a three-game series Friday night at Fenway Park. Royals RHP Michael Wacha (3-5, 3.01 ERA) starts Friday at home against Athletics RHP Luis Severino (1-6, 4.77).
