Thunder at -750 a 'fair price' to win NBA Finals
Wolves Mike Conley on his future
Minnesota Timberwolves point guard Mike Conley spoke with the media as the team's season came to an end Wednesday night against the Oklahoma City Thunder in the Western Conference Finals. He reflected on the loss and talked about his future role with the team.
9:08
Now Playing
Paused
Ad Playing
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
NBA commissioner Adam Silver suggests league could bring 'The Finals' logo back to courts: 'We'll look at it'
The old NBA Finals logo has been missed on the court more than usual this season, as the Indiana Pacers face off with the Oklahoma City Thunder. NBA Finals games used to feature a giant script "The Finals" logo somewhere on the court, but that logo has fallen out of use over the past decade. However, after days of social media chatter about the ambience of this year's Finals, NBA commissioner Adam Silver acknowledge the issue, and hinted at a possible solution. Advertisement From The Athletic: 'Maybe there's a way around it,' he told a small group of reporters during an NBA Cares charity event at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Oklahoma County. 'To be honest, I hadn't thought all that much about it until I (saw) it (on social media). I'm nostalgic, as well, for certain things. And also, I think for a media-driven culture, whether it's people watching live or seeing those images on social media, it's nice when you're looking back on highlights and they stand out because you see that trophy logo or some other indication that it's a special event. So, we'll look at it.' The "Finals" logo ceased to become a court feature in 2014, with the league citing player safety due to the slipperiness of the decals. It has since made some cameos, appearing in a small form on the Cleveland Cavalier's court in 2017 and as the featured logo on the COVID-19 bubble court of the 2020 NBA Finals. As Front Office Sports broke down Friday, the league has been trending away from such pageantry in other ways for years. The league has moved Finals patches from the front of player jerseys to the back. Broadcasts don't feature player introductions or the national anthem. The Finals logo is actually present... in a small version on the padding under the baskets. Outside of some extra ads and the logo on scorebug, the broadcast didn't look much different from a regular-season game. It's been a while since we've seen this logo on an NBA Finals court. (Photo by) (Mike Ehrmann via Getty Images) Many have noted the division in the league's apparent effort to dress up the Finals vs. its newer event, the in-season NBA Cup tournament. Those games feature custom-painted courts for every team and a giant trophy at center court. Advertisement Silver addressed that difference as well, basically saying the Cup was easier to plan for: 'In the case of the Cup, of course, we have the opportunity to plan well in advance and to design a specific neutral court for a Cup championship game,' he said. 'And the teams design their own Cup courts. It actually takes a significant amount of time to create new courts in terms of how they're painted, et cetera. 'One of the reasons we moved away from the logos on the courts is — whether it was perception or reality — there was a sense that maybe the logos added some slipperiness to the court, and it was a change sort of on the court that was coming just at the time of the finals. … Maybe it's for superstitious reasons or just a sense from teams that we shouldn't be changing things around such important competition. That's largely why we stopped putting the logos on the court.' With the demand clearly there, the ball is in the NBA's court, as it were. For now, Game 2 of the 2025 Finals scheduled for Friday in OKC.
USA Today
3 hours ago
- USA Today
Chet Holmgren vows Thunder must be better on boards after Pacers won Game 1 rebound battle
Chet Holmgren vows Thunder must be better on boards after Pacers won Game 1 rebound battle For the next two days, all criticisms for the Oklahoma City Thunder's 111-110 Game 1 loss to the Indiana Pacers will be magnified on Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren. It was death by a thousand papercuts that put the title favorite in an early 0-1 series deficit in the 2025 NBA Finals. But put it plain, it's difficult to win a playoff game when two of your three best players struggle. At least Williams had his moments. On the other hand, Holmgren disappeared into the background. The Thunder went with a single center to start. Isaiah Hartenstein was benched in favor of Cason Wallace. By the end, they abandoned that, too. Holmgren finished with six points on 2-of-9 shooting and six rebounds. He shot 0-of-1 from 3 and went 2-of-2 on free throws. He also had a block. As the game progressed, you saw less of Holmgren. He only logged 24 minutes and played just four minutes of a close fourth quarter. The Pacers' outside shooting pulled the seven-footer outside of the paint. The Thunder had to concede and play mostly small-ball in the final moments. Questions arose about Hartenstein's playability against the Pacers. Very different circumstances, but he struggled against mostly the same roster on the New York Knicks. Funny how sports can turn out, as he was more effective than Holmgren in Game 1. The Thunder will need Holmgren to play better. They were killed on the boards by a 56-39 disadvantage. That allowed the Pacers to overcome the shot-attempt difference slowly. The 23-year-old has to play better on both ends or risk being unplayable. "Obviously, we could be better on the glass. That stood out to me, too, at first. They did have more offensive rebounds than we did. We forced a lot of turnovers and got a lot of steals. There's no rebound opportunity on plays like that 'cause they're not even getting a shot up," Holmgren said. "I guess that stat doesn't tell the whole story. But we can still continue to be better on that end in that area."
USA Today
3 hours ago
- USA Today
Panthers vs. Oilers live updates: Score, highlights from Stanley Cup Final Game 2
Panthers vs. Oilers live updates: Score, highlights from Stanley Cup Final Game 2 Show Caption Hide Caption Are Edmonton Oilers Stanley Cup bound? Former NHLer weighs in Former NHL winger Riley Cote explains what he loves about this Edmonton Oilers team ahead of the Western Conference Finals. Sports Seriously The Edmonton Oilers have two things they didn't have in last year's Stanley Cup Final: home-ice advantage and a lead in the series. The Oilers' 4-3 overtime win in Game 1 means the Florida Panthers will need to come back if they're going to repeat as Stanley Cup champions. Game 2 is Friday night. "We learn more from adversity than we do from winning," Panthers forward Carter Verhaeghe told reporters on Thursday. The Panthers blew a second intermission lead for the first time in the playoffs in three years under coach Paul Maurice. They were outshot 14-2 in the third period as Edmonton tied the game and won in overtime on Leon Draisaitl's power-play goal. "They dictated more of the game than we did," forward Matthew Tkachuk said. "It is what it is. Back to the drawing board. Just try to play better than them (Friday)." Florida has lost two in a row only once this postseason but rallied to beat the Toronto Maple Leafs in seven games in the second round. "We just need to be ready for it, that they are going to be better," Oilers coach Kris Knoblauch said. Here's what to know about Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Final between the Edmonton Oilers and Florida Panthers, including how to watch: Brad Marchand scores on a short-handed breakaway after a feed from Anton Lundell. Florida kills off the rest of the penalty. Niko Mikkola is called for holding. The Panthers need to stay out of the penalty box. Let's see if it costs them. Note: It doesn't. Florida has been getting a lot of zone time in this period and it connects to tie the game on a wrist shot from point by Dmitry Kulikov at 8:23. Matthew Tkachuk was setting the screen in front. Panthers have two goals tonight from defensemen. Evander Kane, Connor McDavid and Evan Bouchard are dangerous on the rush, but Bobrovsky stops Bouchard's shot. Panthers start on power play, and it's killed. Evan Bouchard gets a chance as he comes out of the penalty box. McDavid's assist on Leon Draisaitl's goal is worth watching. He makes moves around Aleksander Barkov and Aaron Ekblad, sending Ekblad tumbling, before he feeds Draisaitl. That was the highest-scoring first period since the 2016 Stanley Cup Final, per TNT. The Oilers have the lead because of a big game by their stars. Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl and Evan Bouchard have combined for seven points. McDavid's play on the Draisaitl goal is highlight reel-worthy. But the Panthers kill a 5-on-3 late in the period to stop the damage and will start the second with a power play. Shots are 15-10 Edmonton and the Oilers are also leading 15-8 in hits. Evan Bouchard is called for cross-checking. Panthers get a couple shots and 41 seconds of the power play will carry into the second period. Niko Mikkola goes off for roughing. Then a Seth Jones penalty makes it 5-on-3. First part is killed off and now the second part. Panthers needed that. The Oilers need just 24 seconds to connect as Leon Draisaitl scores after a great play by Connor McDavid. Two points each for McDavid and Draisaitl and three points for Evan Bouchard. Looks like Mattias Ekholm pushes Sam Bennett into Stuart Skinner, who's down for a while. Oilers going on power play. The Panthers like to have their defense to get up in the play and it pays off again. Seth Jones sneaks in from the point and is wide open for an Eetu Luostarinen pass. Defenseman Nate Schmidt gets his second point of the game. Evan Bouchard's initial shot is blocked by Aleksander Barkov and then he rips a shot past a screened Sergei Bobrovsky. That's goals on back-to-back shots for Edmonton. Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl get the assists. Small scrum breaks out after Sam Bennett goes for a rebound. Edmonton's Darnell Nurse and Florida's Matthew Tkachuk head to the penalty box. Evander Kane ties the game with a shot to Sergei Bobrovsky's glove side at 7:39. That's six playoff goals for Kane, who missed the entire regular season after multiple surgeries. Aaron Ekblad is called for holding the stick. But the power play doesn't last long as Ryan Nugent-Hopkins is called for tripping. It's 4-on-4. Everyone out of the penalty box now. Sam Bennett gets a good shot off but Stuart Skinner makes the save. Red-hot Sam Bennett scores on the power play after a Nate Schmidt pass. That's 13 goals for Bennett in the playoffs, including a record 12 on the road. The goal ends Edmonton's nine-game streak of scoring first. Oilers are upset that Bennett kicked Mattias Ekholm's stick away from him. Evander Kane called for high-sticking Carter Verhaeghe 37 seconds into the game. Florida's Aleksander Barkov line vs. Edmonton's Leon Draisaitl line. Edmonton fans are starting early with the "Sergei, Sergei" chants - before the national anthems. When is Stanley Cup Final Game 2? Panthers vs. Oilers game time The Florida Panthers and Edmonton Oilers will face off at 8 p.m. ET (6 p.m. local) at Rogers Place in Edmonton, Alberta, on Friday. What TV channel is Panthers vs. Oilers Game 2 on? TNT and truTV are broadcasting Game 2 of the NHL Stanley Cup Final. Kenny Albert will provide play-by-play, while Eddie Olczyk, Brian Boucher, Darren Pang and Jackie Redmond will provide analysis and reporting. Stream the 2025 Stanley Cup Final on Sling How to watch Panthers vs. Oilers Game 2 Date: Friday, June 6 Friday, June 6 Location: Rogers Place in Edmonton, Alberta Rogers Place in Edmonton, Alberta Time: 8 p.m. ET (6 p.m. MT) 8 p.m. ET (6 p.m. MT) TV: TNT, truTV TNT, truTV Streaming: Max, Sling TV Panthers coach Paul Maurice is starting the Aleksander Barkov line and Oilers coach Kris Knoblauch is countering with the Leon Draisaitl line. Maurice has moved Carter Verhaeghe to the top line and Evan Rodrigues to the second line. In Game 1, it was the Barkov line vs. the Connor McDavid line to start. Draisaitl scored 66 seconds into the series opener. Maurice moved Carter Verhaeghe to the top line and Evan Rodrigues to the second lline. Oilers' Stuart Skinner (7-4, 2.49 goals-against average, .904 save percentage) vs. Panthers' Sergei Bobrovsky (12-6, 2.17, .912). Skinner has a five-game winning streak. The Oilers have four of the top five scorers in the series: McDavid has a league-best 28 points, followed by Leon Draisaitl (27) and Evan Bouchard and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins with 18 each. Draisaitl has a team-high nine goals. The Panthers have 10 players with double-digit points, led by Sam Bennett (18) and Aleksander Barkov and Matthew Tkachuk (17 each). Bennett is the playoffs' leading goal scorer with 12. No Canadian team has won since 1993, when the Montreal Canadiens beat the Los Angeles Kings in five games. A Canadian team has reached the Final eight times since then, including the Oilers three times. They're the second team with home-ice advantage, joining the 2011 Vancouver Canucks. They hold the first series lead since the Canucks led 3-2 that year. Oilers coach Kris Knoblauch will put Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl together later in games if Edmonton needs an offensive boost. 'It's nice to know when those two get together mid-game that the results are pretty good," he said. But Knoblauch doesn't do it all game long so he can spread the offense out. The two used to go out together on the shift after a penalty kill, but McDavid has started killing penalties. The Panthers forward is tracking toward a return but will sit out a second consecutive game on Friday. "We think if he tracks out, he'll be available for Game 3," coach Paul Maurice said. Jesper Boqvist has taken Greer's place on the fourth line. Panthers forward Tomas Nosek said it was "tough" after the Oilers scored in overtime on the power play after his delay of game penalty. "You don't want to be the one guy who cost us the game, but obviously everybody can make a mistake," he said, adding, "It's in the past and now looking forward to just keep doing my job and focusing on tonight's game." He said his teammates were "very helpful" and supportive of him. "Most of the guys came to me and said, 'Don't worry about it.' " he said, according to TSN. Panthers coach Paul Maurice was asked Friday about the Dallas Stars' firing of coach Peter DeBoer. Maurice and DeBoer are friends. "He'll be all right. He's a good coach. I think elite teams, you've got to push them real hard to get them where they get to, then at some point," he said, trailing off. "You get a summer off, pick your spot, he's going to be OK." All times Eastern; (x-if necessary) Game 1: Oilers 4, Panthers 3 (OT) | Story Oilers 4, Panthers 3 (OT) | Story Game 2: Friday, June 6 | Florida at Edmonton | 8 p.m | TNT, truTV Friday, June 6 | Florida at Edmonton | 8 p.m | TNT, truTV Game 3: Monday, June 9, Edmonton at Florida | 8 p.m. | TNT, truTV Monday, June 9, Edmonton at Florida | 8 p.m. | TNT, truTV Game 4: Thursday, June 12, Edmonton at Florida | 8 p.m. | TNT, truTV Thursday, June 12, Edmonton at Florida | 8 p.m. | TNT, truTV x-Game 5: Saturday, June 14, Florida at Edmonton | 8 p.m. | TNT, truTV Saturday, June 14, Florida at Edmonton | 8 p.m. | TNT, truTV x-Game 6: Tuesday, June 17, Edmonton at Florida | 8 p.m. | TNT, truTV Tuesday, June 17, Edmonton at Florida | 8 p.m. | TNT, truTV x-Game 7: Friday, June 20, Florida at Edmonton | 8 p.m. | TNT, truTV All odds via BetMGM (as of Friday, June 6) Spread: Oilers (-1.5) Oilers (-1.5) Moneyline: Oilers (-110); Panthers (-110) Oilers (-110); Panthers (-110) Over/Under: 6.5
