Are the Celtics and Panthers cooked?
The Pulse Newsletter 📣 | This is The Athletic's daily sports newsletter. Sign up here to receive The Pulse directly in your inbox.
Good morning! I will accept dried fish for soccer tickets.
Look, this feels mean. But after a most consequential night of playoff hoops and hockey, looking at our results through the lens of the losers is more important. Even more importantly: How cooked are these guys? 👨🍳
Simmering: The Winnipeg Jets
This is a team that dominated the regular season yet barely escaped the first round. A 3-2 home loss to the Stars last night was again nerve-wracking, but Dallas is not St. Louis — namely because Mikko Rantanen is a Star. He scored all three goals last night. At 0-1, Winnipeg might already be in trouble.
Advertisement
On a rolling boil: The Denver Nuggets
Yes, this series is 1-1, but did you watch that game last night? Every missed opportunity for Oklahoma City in Game 1 came back karmically in a 149-106 Game 2 win, an astounding contest from wire to wire. Nikola Jokić scored just 17 points and fouled out. The Thunder had eight players in double figures. So, yes, a tie series — but maybe not for long.
Hard sear: The Florida Panthers
Time and time again, the Maple Leafs have the opportunity to embody their past failures, and every time they course correct. Toronto's 4-3 win last night over the defending champs puts them up 2-0 in what we thought — and could still be! — a dogfight.
Broken thermometer: The Boston Celtics
We've had over 12 hours to process the Knicks' 91-90 win last night and I still can't reconcile what I saw. It's as if I'm cooking a nice cut of beef, the thermometer reads 135 degrees and yet the inside of the steak looks like rubber. Boston is still very much alive in this series, but to squander two 20-point leads at home to these Knicks is unfathomable. Another defending champion down 2-0. Another final play thwarted by Mikal Bridges. I have no idea what happens from here.
BRUNSON HITS TWO FREE THROWS.
BRIDGES TAKES THE BALL AWAY.
KNICKS TAKE 2-0 SERIES LEAD. pic.twitter.com/NbyRwQri9O
— NBA (@NBA) May 8, 2025
I'll be sad when we have fewer fantastic playoff games every night. Let's keep moving:
This may be one of the more interesting Pulse Polls we've ever done, because it's a circle back to a poll we ran last summer on a similar topic. It also *serious tone* portends to the world at large.
An overwhelming number of you, as I suspected, think NBC using AI to recreate Jim Fagan's voice is lazy and cheap. I agree — I'm of the mind that AI should be used for utilitarian purposes, not creatively.
Two points to make in this specific case:
Still, with all due respect to Fagan's memory, it feels silly to focus so much on that past in this regard rather than moving forward. Find a new voice to anchor your basketball coverage for decades to come. Is that so hard?
Thank you, as always, for voting.
Cowboys get another weapon
George Pickens, the mercurial uber-talented Steelers wide receiver, is heading to Dallas in exchange for a third-round pick and a fifth-round pick, the Cowboys announced yesterday. The Athletic's Dianna Russini reports the two sides had been discussing the deal since before the draft, which checks out after Pittsburgh acquired DK Metcalf earlier this offseason. The deal makes sense for Dallas, but I still don't know what's happening with the Steelers. We'll have more on that this weekend.
Advertisement
Also: Emergency trade pod! Yes, Jerry Jones seems desperate.
Tickets for fish, please
The story of Bodø/Glimt is incredible: a small Norwegian club, playing near the top of the world, finding itself in the semifinal of a European soccer tournament. Premier League blueblood Tottenham Hotspur travels north today for their second-leg matchup, and some fans in the stands will have traded dried fish and reindeer meat for tickets. I love it, and I'm a Spurs fan. Read more here.
More news
📫 Love The Pulse? Check out our other newsletters.
📺 NBA: Warriors at Timberwolves
8:30 p.m. ET on TNT/Max
One question lords over everything here: Can Golden State survive without Steph Curry? He will miss at least the next three games with the hamstring injury he suffered in Game 1. Minnesota has an opening here down 1-0.
📺 NHL: Oilers at Golden Knights
9:30 p.m. ET on ESPN
Let's see how much of a lead Las Vegas can open up here before the eventual third-period Edmonton barrage. It's eerie at this point.
Get tickets to games like these here.
Two years ago, Nic Enright couldn't see his future, exhausted from cancer treatments. He's now on the verge of making the major leagues. Incredible story here.
Keith Law's first MLB mock draft of the season is out, which is cause for celebration. Yes, there's another elite Holliday in the pipeline. Read his picks.
Eno Sarris identified 10 stats that should worry MLB teams. He's so good at this.
Let's not lose sight of the fact the Islanders won the NHL Draft Lottery on Monday. We have a fresh mock draft in light of it. See the picks.
Rustin Dodd drank coffee like Dan Campbell, an absolute caffeine sicko. It did not go well, but it was interesting.
Tyrese Haliburton laughs at the 'overrated' jabs, but in truth, he was miserable early this season. Jared Weiss has a wonderful story on how Haliburton recaptured his joy. It shows.
Advertisement
Is Dabo Swinney back? Did he ever leave? Seth Emerson writes about Swinney's second wind in the NIL era.
Most-clicked in the newsletter yesterday: The George Karl story.
Most-read on the website yesterday: Our live blog from the PSG-Arsenal match.
Ticketing links in this article are provided by partners of The Athletic. Restrictions may apply. The Athletic maintains full editorial independence. Partners have no control over or input into the reporting or editing process and do not review stories before publication.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
New York Times
17 minutes ago
- New York Times
How Rick Carlisle and Tyrese Haliburton evolved to lead Pacers to NBA title contention
Rick Carlisle has been around the NBA long enough to see what's over the horizon. When the now-65-year-old began his second head-coaching stint with the Indiana Pacers in June 2021, he could tell the league was undergoing a paradigm shift. The prior decade was defined by LeBron James and Steph Curry forging a superstar era that left little room for anyone else to hold the Larry O'Brien trophy. But the league's titans were beginning to age out of contention, and the NBA's burgeoning parity era was forming a superstar vacuum that would open up new ideas of roster construction. Advertisement So Carlisle had a bold idea that has now become fundamental for many of the league's top teams: He wanted to toss out the playbook. He returned to Indiana, preaching that multi-step play sets were going to look archaic in a few years. In a sit-down with The Athletic in Dec. 2021, Carlisle explained how he envisioned a future where he didn't call plays at all. He wanted the team to live in its 'flow game.' 'I think there's a balance that you always want to strike with your best players so that they don't become this guy that just does one thing,' Carlisle said in that interview. Two months before the franchise-changing acquisition of Tyrese Haliburton, Carlisle was already preaching the high-octane system that would power the Pacers' Cinderella NBA Finals run three-and-a-half years later. It didn't make sense for his lineup at that moment, but Carlisle was priming the organization for a change he knew would come sooner or later. Carlisle's vision, which has manifested in this blistering Pacers system based on reads and principles rather than convoluted plays, needed a conductor to bring it harmony. That was going to be a tall task for a coach who has clashed with a litany of point guards in his two-decade coaching career, including several with Hall of Fame credentials. In Haliburton, Carlisle has found his maestro. The coach and star guard came together at the perfect moment, with Carlisle looking for a partner he could trust and Haliburton seeking to learn from a fresh start after the Sacramento Kings discarded him. Haliburton brought bravado without ego. He was malleable, but worthy of autonomy in due time. 'He came into this really leaning into the opportunity,' Carlisle said. 'New start, I'm all in from day one, I'm going full bore, I want to learn, coach me hard. I know there's going to be ups and downs. I'm gonna navigate it. He's a guy you can always talk to about the hard times and the good times.' Advertisement Through all the ups and downs Haliburton faced this year — including mental health struggles — Carlisle's belief in him never wavered. Carlisle pounded the pulpit when Haliburton was named the league's most overrated player in The Athletic's anonymous player poll in April. His guard responded with one of the great clutch runs in the history of the game. Haliburton has finally found his place within his team and the league, and it's the driving force behind the Pacers' genuine title hopes. 'I think that it got to the point for me where when you're young, establishing yourself in the NBA, you're kind of working your way through things and trying to figure out where you stand in the league,' Haliburton told The Athletic. 'Where I'm at now, I'm really comfortable in my own skin. I feel like I've really started to establish myself in this league.' How did Carlisle, a coach who has long built great offenses while failing to forge healthy working relationships with the point guards tasked with running them, give Haliburton more trust on the court than just about any player he's ever coached? It all traces back to Jason Kidd. Before the Dallas Mavericks traded for Kidd in 2008, Carlisle was known for meticulously commanding every possession, slowing the pace down so he could keep his fingers on every dial of the offense. The high point of his first stint with the Pacers was in the 2003-04 season, when he ushered a core of Jermaine O'Neal, Ron Artest (now Metta World Peace) and Reggie Miller to the conference finals. Those teams were lucky to score more than 80 points in an era defined by methodical play sets and cramped spacing. They fell to the eventual champion Detroit Pistons, a team Carlisle coached in a similar manner the prior two seasons. In hindsight, Carlisle's approach made sense for that era and the roster he was gifted. If there is one through-line to Carlisle's career, it's his ability to adapt to the evolution of the game. But when Carlisle was hired as the Mavericks coach a few months after the franchise's trade for Kidd, he brought with him a more controlled coaching style. That didn't sit well with Kidd, and the two butted heads over who and how to run the show. The coach was still calling just about every play, but Kidd felt that as the league's best point guard over the past decade, he had earned the right to make the right decisions quickly and in the flow. Advertisement Over time, Carlisle learned to trust Kidd and let go of the rope. He embraced the uptempo freedom that came with his guard orchestrating the offense on the fly, proudly declaring the Mavericks were running a 'flow' offense that was an early prototype of what the Pacers run today. That system led to Dallas' 2011 title in Carlisle's third season with Kidd. 'I've learned so much over the years about players that appear to have quirky elements to their game and the importance of looking at what they can do and not focusing on what they may not be able to do particularly well,' Carlisle told reporters before the finals. 'It was clear when we got Ty that we needed to surround him with shooting, with toughness and depth and resources.' The championship did not mark the end of Carlisle's feuds with his lead guards. Rajon Rondo, a one-time champion and two-time assist-per-game leader, flamed out in brief and disastrous fashion after arriving from the Celtics in a midseason trade in 2014. Carlisle learned from his time with Kidd and wanted Rondo to push the tempo rather than slowing it down. An on-court argument between the two led to a one-game suspension during the regular season. Then, Carlisle benched Rondo in the middle of the playoffs and later conceded the trade was a mistake. Years later, Carlisle's relationship with lottery pick Dennis Smith Jr. grew icy as the coach turned more of Dallas' offense over to rookie sensation Luka Dončić. And while Carlisle's partnership with the Slovenian star led to historic offensive numbers on the court, the two never quite meshed off it. Then Carlisle was replaced by Kidd, of all people. Those experiences made Carlisle more open-minded to finding his ideal fit in Haliburton. When Haliburton arrived in Indiana from the Sacramento Kings, he was a hard player to value. He didn't break defenders down off the dribble like most stars do, but there was something to the way he moved around the court without losing momentum, whether on or off the ball. He'd commit the cardinal sin of leaving his feet to read the floor, but made it work more often than not. Carlisle was willing to embrace Haliburton's faults because his style of play was a step in the right direction compared to the limitations of the roster Carlisle worked with earlier that season. Advertisement 'I've learned so much over the years about players that appear to have quirky elements to their game and the importance of looking at what they can do and not focusing on what they may not be able to do particularly well,' Carlisle told reporters before the finals. 'It was clear when we got Ty that we needed to surround him with shooting, with toughness and depth and resources.' Before the trade for Haliburton, Domantas Sabonis was Carlisle's key playmaker, operating out of the high post. But with Sabonis at the five and current center Myles Turner at the four, the Pacers could not play with the pace needed to bring Carlisle's free-flowing vision to life. Carlisle pushed Sabonis to roll to the rim and then flow out to the corners if the ball didn't find him, but the center was a poor shooter at the time and preferred to be directly involved in plays. When The Athletic reported the Pacers were considering blowing up their team in Dec. 2021, Carlisle and team president Kevin Pritchard called an emergency meeting with Sabonis, Turner, wing Caris LeVert and point guard Malcolm Brogdon. They addressed the report and told the players they weren't planning on making serious changes at that moment. By the start of the next season, Turner was the only one left. Those trades yielded key pieces of this season's run, such as Aaron Nesmith and draft picks that turned into Andrew Nembhard and Ben Sheppard. The Haliburton deal also included the since-departed Buddy Hield, whose leadership was instrumental to the development of Carlisle's system and Haliburton in particular. Though the Pacers' playoff hopes were already out the window upon Haliburton's arrival, it was immediately apparent he was the right fit for Carlisle's revolution. Carlisle wanted to find players who knew how to craft a story on the fly in unlimited ways. Haliburton's kryptonite is stasis. His engine needs to stay in high gear and stalls out when he shifts into neutral. He thrives in the chaos. The looser the game gets, the calmer he plays. That unique style works for a system that aims to bend defenses rather than breaking them down off the dribble. Carlisle knows the Pacers, even after last season's trade for former Raptors All-Star Pascal Siakam, don't have the scoring talent to barge through stationary defenders. The solution: Never slow down enough for that limitation to matter. Most teams get down the floor in six or so seconds, then start their plays with 16 seconds left on the shot clock. But with Haliburton needing to play in constant motion, the Pacers usually hit the first screen with 20 on the shot clock, giving them the time they need to run through countless actions until an advantage eventually pops up. To the Pacers' opponents, it looks like chaos that induces panic. To Carlisle, Haliburton and the Pacers, it is their comfort zone. Advertisement After spending so long building the Pacers' signature style, the last step for Haliburton was to identify times when it would hold up better without his hand on the wheel. In last season's Eastern Conference finals, the Celtics deployed physical defenders who got into Haliburton's shirt and kept him from building momentum. Indiana got swept and actually played better once Haliburton went out injured. Faced with a similar situation in Thursday's Game 1 against an even more physical Thunder defense, Haliburton sat back and watched Nembhard take over. Then, when the game reached its chaotic crescendo, Haliburton seized the moment. It took two decades and several lives as a coach, but Carlisle and his point guard are finally simpatico. Just like his star guard does every night, Carlisle had to poke and prod until he found what worked. Tyrese Haliburton is unique in every single way as a playmaker. Because of that, so are his Indiana Pacers.
Yahoo
26 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Most popular 2025 NBA Mock Draft picks for Nets at No. 8
The post Most popular 2025 NBA Mock Draft picks for Nets at No. 8 appeared first on ClutchPoints. With the 2025 NBA Draft less than three weeks away, there is little consensus among big boards and projections beyond the first few picks. As has been the case throughout Sean Marks' tenure, the Brooklyn Nets have kept their cards close to their vest. The No. 8 pick is the team's first lottery selection since Marks took over in 2016. Advertisement What players could Brooklyn select with its first choice? Let's take a look at the latest projections in a mock draft roundup: Analyzing Nets' picks at No. 8 in latest NBA mock drafts Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports ESPN: Kon Kneuppel, SG/SF, Duke Kneuppel's elite outside shooting and high feel for the game have caught the eyes of scouts over the last year. The Duke forward shot a scorching 40.6 percent from three as a freshman and flashed secondary shot-creation and playmaking alongside Cooper Flagg. While there are questions about whether his limited athleticism will hinder him as an NBA scorer and defender, he possesses a bankable skill as a movement shooter, along with a developing offensive repertoire, an impressive IQ and a high motor. Advertisement All of this should make him a safe pick in the top 10. The Nets met with Kneuppel at the combine, and he said he will travel to Brooklyn for a workout sometime before the draft. Bleacher Report, Yahoo Sports: Noa Essengue, PF, Ratiopharm Ulm Essengue has climbed inside the top 10 of several big boards while putting together one of his most productive stretches of the season overseas. The 6-foot-9 forward is the second-youngest player in the draft (three days older than Cooper Flagg) and has had no issues producing in Germany's top professional league. He posted a career-high 22 points and 14 rebounds on 8-of-16 shooting from the field, 2-of-5 from three and 4-of-4 from the free-throw line during Game 1 of the German playoff semifinals on Sunday. Essengue doesn't possess an elite skill at this point in his development. He's a subpar shooter (25.6 percent from three) and has an underdeveloped handle. However, the 18-year-old is a foul-drawing machine, attempting 7.4 free throws per 36 minutes and converting at a 72.2 percent clip. He's also shown a soft touch around the rim, shooting 63.8 percent on twos. His impressive measurables (6-foot-9 height, 6-foot-11 wingspan, 9-foot-3 standing reach) and fluid athleticism bode well for his defensive upside. Advertisement While his poor outside shooting and limited ball-handling cast doubts about whether he can develop into a self-creator at the next level, he could be a home-run choice if everything clicks. The Ringer: Jeremiah Fears, PG, Oklahoma Most mock drafts project Fears to be taken before the Nets' selection. If he falls to eighth, he'd be a player fans could quickly get behind. The 18-year-old is among the top scorers in the draft, averaging 17.1 points as one of college basketball's youngest players this season. Teams looking for a lead ball-handler who can generate consistent paint touches, like Brooklyn, will salivate over that part of his game. Fears' detractors will point to his inconsistent outside shot (28.4 percent), struggles finishing at the rim (52.6 percent) and high turnover rate (3.4 per game). His defensive shortcomings add to those concerns. However, the young floor general has sound shooting mechanics (85.1 percent on free throws) and was tasked with carrying an immense load for an otherwise poor Oklahoma offense. Advertisement Fears told ClutchPoints he had a 'great' meeting with the Nets and worked out for the team at the draft combine. If his poor outside shooting this season turns out to be an outlier, there's plenty to love about his dynamic skill set. ClutchPoints, Fox Sports: Egor Demin, PG/SF, BYU Demin is arguably the most talented passer in this year's draft and has great size (6-foot-9) as a lead ball-handler. He reads defensive coverages with ease, hitting rolling big men, weakside cutters and skip passes within the flow of the offense. However, his limited athleticism and poor shooting (27.3 percent from three) have raised questions about his ability to be an offensive engine at the next level. Advertisement While Demin showed flashes of self-creation at BYU, he consistently struggled to create separation against college defenders. A semi-consistent three-point shot — forcing defenders to work over the top of screens instead of sagging under — would go a long way toward letting his playmaking shine. While he plays with a high motor, his limited agility and vertical explosiveness also cast doubts over whether he can be a plus defender. Demin met with the Nets at the combine, reportedly impressing several teams with his maturity. He also shot the ball very well during his pro day in Chicago. If that area of his game comes around, he has star upside as a lead offensive initiator. If it doesn't, he'll end up looking like a reach as a top-10 selection. Related: 3 players Brooklyn Nets must avoid in 2025 NBA Draft Related: NBA rumors: Lakers' Austin Reaves trade strategy as 2 center targets emerge
Yahoo
26 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Ranking 3 best Julius Randle free-agency destinations if he leaves Timberwolves
The post Ranking 3 best Julius Randle free-agency destinations if he leaves Timberwolves appeared first on ClutchPoints. The Minnesota Timberwolves will do their best to return all of Julius Randle, Naz Reid, and Nickeil Alexander-Walker this offseason, but one or more of those potential free agents seem likely to walk in free agency. Alexander-Walker is an unrestricted free agent, whereas Randle and Reid have player options on their contracts. Advertisement Reid will likely decline his option and pursue a big deal, but there is a good chance that Randle will accept his option and return to Minnesota because he is slated to make over $30 million next season. That makes him the most likely to return to the Timberwolves next season of those potential free agents. Even so, it is far from a guarantee that Randle will be suiting up for the Timberwolves again. The power forward thrived in the postseason and helped get Minnesota into the Western Conference Finals for the second straight season. The bruising big man is a polarizing player due to his questionable shot selection and streaky efficiency, but he is clearly an asset. It is possible that he'd find a big payday on the open market. So if Randle were to leave the Timberwolves, what are his best free-agent fits? 1. Julius Randle to the Nets The Brooklyn Nets want to go star hunting this offseason, and they've been linked to Giannis Antetokounmpo. A trade for the two-time MVP will be easier said than done, especially because Brooklyn would have to fork over a lot of talent in a trade with the Milwaukee Bucks. Advertisement Instead, the Nets could find their star in free agency in the form of Randle. While the power forward from Kentucky isn't an All-NBA caliber player, he has actually made three All-Star Games. Randle has averaged as much as 25.1 points per game in a season, and he would be free to get up plenty of shots in Brooklyn. Randle can hit jump shots, get buckets inside off of post-ups, and score off the bounce. He alone might not be enough to turn the Nets into a playoff team, but Brooklyn has more projected cap space than any other team. The Nets could outbid everybody for Randle's services and still have enough room to make another big deal. 2. Julius Randle to the Hornets The Charlotte Hornets have talent on their roster. LaMelo Ball is elite when he is healthy. Miles Bridges is one of the best dunkers in the NBA, and Brandon Miller and Tidjane Salaun are recent high draft picks with tons of potential. Even Mark Williams impressed after returning to the Hornets because of a failed physical after the team tried to trade him to the Lakers. Advertisement That hasn't translated into wins, though. Randle is a gritty player and veteran leader who could push the Hornets in the right direction. Randle has experience turning bad teams into good ones. The Lakers were horrible when they drafted him, but they got better and better while he was with the team. The same can be said about his time with the New York Knicks. Randle even got the Timberwolves into the Western Conference Finals after many criticized the team for trading Karl-Anthony Towns for him. Randle will be 31 years old next season, so he doesn't fit the Hornets' timeline perfectly. The team needs a boost to get to the next level, though. Randle always plays hard, and his attitude could rub off on a team that has struggled with culture in recent years. 3. Julius Randle to the Spurs Alonzo Adams-USA TODAY Sports Victor Wembanyama is a unicorn. The former first overall pick stands 7-feet-4-inches tall, but he is also incredibly skinny. That hasn't negatively affected the San Antonio Spurs star so far in his young career. Advertisement Wembanyama would have won the Defensive Player of the Year award had his season not ended early due to blood clotting, and he still managed to lead the league in blocks despite not playing after the All-Star Weekend. Even so, pairing Wembanyama with a meaty and strong player like Randle makes sense. Randle uses a bully ball style of play that would perfectly complement Wembanyama's finesse game. Opponents that go at Randle are met by a brick wall, but Wembanyama is too lanky to be scored on very often. Opposing teams wouldn't have a lot of options when facing the Spurs if they signed Randle. The Spurs are well on their way to contending for a title. Fans haven't seen much of Wembanyama with his new point guard yet. The team traded for De'Aaron Fox last year, and his speed and clutch ability give the team a great star duo. Stephon Castle is also coming off a Rookie of the Year campaign, and the team even holds two lottery picks in the 2025 NBA Draft, including the second overall pick. The team is on the right trajectory, but the addition of Randle would catapult them into contention.
