Latest news with #2025NBAPlayoffs
New York Post
3 days ago
- Sport
- New York Post
Jalen Brunson is not buying into the Karl-Anthony Towns ‘soft' narrative one bit
INDIANAPOLIS — Jalen Brunson heard the reputation when Karl-Anthony Towns was with the Timberwolves. Now teammates on the Knicks, Brunson believes he's seeing the reality. Rather than a player who is soft, he has seen one who constantly has fought through injuries. 'I mean, there are narratives with traded players on other teams,' Brunson said Saturday morning at Knicks shootaround ahead of Game 6. 'And when you get to the team, it's, 'Oh, that guy is not really like that.' It's just, that's how narratives work. They're usually probably false. I have the utmost respect for him and the way he's been able to play throughout this entire season and playoffs. We're all banged up, but we're all gonna push through. I had faith that he was gonna play last game.' Karl-Anthony Towns and Jalen Brunson of the New York Knicks react during the fourth quarter against the Indiana Pacers in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Finals of the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on May 27, 2025. Getty Images Towns was questionable for Game 5 with a knee injury, but he played 36 minutes and recorded 24 points on 10-for-20 shooting and 13 rebounds. Follow The Post's coverage of the Knicks in the 2025 NBA Playoffs Sports+ subscribers: Sign up for Inside the Knicks to get daily newsletter coverage and join Expert Take for insider texts about the series. He was not on the Knicks injury report entering Saturday's Game 6. Towns, whom the Knicks acquired from the Timberwolves in the blockbuster deal that sent Julius Randle and Donte DiVincenzo to Minnesota, was named to the All-NBA third team this year. But due to his preference to shoot from outside the arc rather than bang bodies in the paint and his weak defense, a narrative that Towns is soft has hovered over him much of his career. Brunson isn't buying it. New York Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns driving to the basket guarded by Indiana Pacers center Myles Turner in the fourth quarter. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post 'I knew that he was a player that was gonna help us win,' Brunson said. 'He's helped us get to this point. And so I think no matter what the situation is, he's gonna continue to do that.'
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
OKC Thunder practice: What Mark Daigneault, Chet Holmgren said on May 31
May 28, 2025; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder forward Chet Holmgren (7) celebrates after a play during the second quarter against the Minnesota Timberwolves in game five of the western conference finals for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images After a two-day rest, the Oklahoma City Thunder held their first 2025 NBA Finals media availability on Saturday. They're fresh off a blowout Game 5 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves to punch their ticket to the championship round. The Thunder will now enjoy a week off before they host Game 1 of the NBA Finals on Thursday, June 5. The Indiana Pacers or the New York Knicks will be the opposition. Indiana holds a 3-2 series lead in the Eastern Conference Finals. Advertisement Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault and Chet Holmgren talked to the media on Saturday. Daigneault discussed OKC's homecourt advantage while Holmgren reflected on his journey from a hip fracture that cost him three months. Here's a recap of the Thunder's NBA Finals May 31 practice: This article originally appeared on OKC Thunder Wire: Thunder practice: What Mark Daigneault, Chet Holmgren said on May 31
Newsweek
4 days ago
- Sport
- Newsweek
Tyrese Haliburton Sends Bold Warning Before Pacers-Knicks Game 6
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. Tyrese Haliburton and the Indiana Pacers blew their first chance at closing out the New York Knicks on Thursday night. From start to finish, the Knicks made it clear that they were not going to be beaten at Madison Square Garden, winning the game by a final score of 111-94. It was an embarrassing showing for the Pacers, who are just one win away from punching a ticket to the NBA Finals. Now, the series will shift back to Indianapolis for Game 6 on Saturday night. Indiana will be facing much more pressure on Saturday than they have all series. While they have a 3-2 series lead, a loss in Game 6 would mean heading back to New York for a winner-take-all Game 7. If that scenario happens, the Pacers would be one loss away from becoming just the 14th team to blow a 3-1 series lead. Tyrese Haliburton #0 of the Indiana Pacers celebrates a basket against the New York Knicks during the first quarter in Game Four of the Eastern Conference Finals of the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Gainbridge Fieldhouse... Tyrese Haliburton #0 of the Indiana Pacers celebrates a basket against the New York Knicks during the first quarter in Game Four of the Eastern Conference Finals of the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on May 27, 2025 in Indianapolis, Indiana. More Photo byWhile there are definite reasons for Indiana fans to be nervous, Haliburton is motivated to make sure the Pacers do not drop Game 6 at home. Read more: NBA Champion Says Timberwolves Should Target This Anthony Edwards Co-Star Following the blowout loss to the Knicks in Game 5, the star point guard spoke out with a strong warning. "Put it on me. I'll be better in Game 6," Haliburton said. In the Game 5 loss, Haliburton was a complete no-show. He scored eight points on 2-for-7 shooting to go along with six assists, two rebounds, and two steals. The entire starting lineup combined to score just 37 points all game long. Bennedict Mathurin was one of the only bright spots for the Pacers. He came off the bench to score 23 points. As for New York, Jalen Brunson came to play. He showed what a superstar does for his team in the playoffs, scoring 32 points on 12-for-18 shooting to go along with five assists and five rebounds. Karl-Anthony Towns had a big game as well with 24 points and 13 rebounds. Read more: Shocking Contender Named as Landing Spot for Bucks' Giannis Antetokounmpo Josh Hart came off the bench for a double-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds as well. Now, the stage has been set for Game 6. For Haliburton and Indiana, it's as close to a must-win game as a team up 3-2 can get. Heading back to Madison Square Garden for a Game 7 is a nightmare scenario for the Pacers. In order to win Game 6 and head on to the NBA Finals, Indiana needs Haliburton to figure out his inconsistency. He has made the promise to do just that, but now he'll need to prove it on the court. For more Indiana Pacers and general NBA news, head over to Newsweek Sports.
Time of India
5 days ago
- Sport
- Time of India
Knicks stay alive in Eastern Conference finals, force Game 6 against Pacers
Jalen Brunson leads Knicks to crucial Game 5 victory The New York Knicks avoided elimination by defeating the Indiana Pacers 111-94 in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference finals. The Knicks never trailed in the contest, building a 22-point lead in the third quarter and maintaining control throughout. Jalen Brunson led the Knicks with 32 points on 12-of-18 shooting, adding five rebounds and five assists. His consistent postseason performance continued, as he joined LeBron James, Michael Jordan, and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander as the only players to record at least 10 games with 30 points and five assists in a single postseason. Also read: All about Pacers vs. Knicks Game 5: time, key players, how to watch, expert prediction, and what to expect from a season-defining showdown The Pacers struggled offensively, shooting just 40.5 per cent from the field and committing 19 turnovers. Tyrese Haliburton finished with eight points on 2-of-7 shooting, along with six assists and two rebounds. It marked Indiana's first Game 5 loss in the 2025 NBA Playoffs, after previously defeating both the Milwaukee Bucks and Cleveland Cavaliers in the same situation. Knicks set for road challenge in Game 6 at Indiana Despite building a large lead, the Knicks were briefly tested in the fourth quarter when the Pacers cut the deficit to 12 points. Head coach Tom Thibodeau responded by reintroducing his starters to secure the result. New York held firm until Indiana pulled its starters in the final minutes. Live Events With the win, the Knicks force a Game 6, scheduled for Saturday, May 31, at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. The Pacers are seeking their first NBA finals appearance since 2000. The Knicks, meanwhile, aim to extend the series to a deciding Game 7. New York will face a difficult road environment, with Indiana fans aware of the team's proximity to the finals. The Pacers have shown resilience throughout the postseason, consistently responding to setbacks. Game 6 presents a high-stakes opportunity for both teams to assert control in a tightly contested series. Also read: 2025 NBA Playoffs: Pacers aim to eliminate Knicks in Game 5 of Eastern Conference finals Tip-off is set for 8 p.m. ET on TNT.
New York Post
5 days ago
- Sport
- New York Post
Knicks vs. Pacers live updates: Game 5 news, score and highlights as New York tries to avoid elimination
Win or stay at home. The Knicks, down 3-1 in the Eastern Conference finals against the Pacers, have to lay it all on the line in Game 5 in front of a home crowd at Madison Square Garden. Indiana won 130-121 in Game 4, where Tyrese Haliburton's triple-double overpowered New York, setting up a scenario in which the Knicks have no room left for error. Will the Knicks be able to reel off three straight wins for a stunning NBA Finals berth? Or will the Pacers send them packing on Thursday? Follow The Post's live updates for the latest 2025 NBA Playoffs news, scores and highlights.
