Latest news with #ConferenceSemifinals
Yahoo
17 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Karl-Anthony Towns Shares His 'Welcome To New York' Moment: "Wanted To Keep My Money"
Karl-Anthony Towns Shares His 'Welcome To New York' Moment: "Wanted To Keep My Money" originally appeared on Fadeaway World. Karl-Anthony Towns had a productive debut season with the New York Knicks in 2024-25, helping the team get to the Eastern Conference Finals. Towns put in some impressive performances throughout the season and spoke about what his 'Welcome to New York' moment was on the 7PM in Brooklyn with Carmelo Anthony show. "I remember telling my pops about it," Towns said. "Was Toronto, hitting the game winner in Toronto, and looking at the crowd. Said some explicit stuff to everyone." Co-host The Kid Mero used some rather colorful language to describe what Towns might have said in that moment. The five-time All-Star hilariously claimed he didn't go too overboard as he didn't want to get fined. "I wanted to keep my money, so I ain't say too much," Towns stated. "But I thought that was my moment to be able to like, have that moment with New York and everything. So, I thought that was my real 'I'm here' [moment, my 'Welcome to New York' moment type s***." Towns was referring to a game between the Knicks and Toronto Raptors on Dec. 9, 2024, at Scotiabank Arena. The 29-year-old didn't hit the game-winner that night, but did make the dagger three-pointer and talked a lot of trash after it. You can check out that sequence below. Towns scored 10 points in the fourth quarter to lead the Knicks to a 113-108 win. He finished with 24 points (7-13 FG), 15 rebounds, six assists, two steals, and two blocks on the night. That win saw the Knicks improve to 15-9 on the season, and they would take off not long after. They lost their next game against the Atlanta Hawks, but followed it up with nine straight wins. The Knicks ended the season as the third seed in the East with a 51-31 record. Towns averaged 24.4 points, 12.8 rebounds, 3.1 assists, 1.0 steals, and 0.7 blocks per game in the campaign, and was named an All-Star for the fifth time in his career. The Knicks faced off against the Detroit Pistons in the first round, and Towns hit a memorable shot to win Game 4. He made a deep step-back three-pointer with the shot clock expiring to give the Knicks a 94-93 lead with 46.6 seconds remaining. Neither team would score again, and that ended up becoming Towns' first big playoff moment with the Knicks. Just a few days later, though, Jalen Brunson hit the game-winner in the closeout Game 6, and everyone seemed to forget that Game 4 shot. Towns revealed he hilariously called out Brunson for overshadowing him and not letting him have that moment. The Knicks would then beat the Boston Celtics, the defending champions, in six games in the Conference Semifinals to set up a clash with the Indiana Pacers. Towns had another memorable outing in that series against the Pacers, scoring 20 points in the fourth quarter of Game 3 to power the Knicks to a 106-100 win. The Pacers would eventually win the series in six games, though. Towns was criticized for his defense, and you do wonder if he is capable of being better on that end. The Knicks do have a new head coach for the 2025-26 campaign, as they hired Mike Brown after firing Tom Thibodeau. Will Brown find a way to solve some of those defensive issues? Time will story was originally reported by Fadeaway World on Aug 18, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
01-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Celtics' Starting Lineup Has Been Massively Downgraded Compared To Last Year
Celtics' Starting Lineup Has Been Massively Downgraded Compared To Last Year originally appeared on Fadeaway World. The Boston Celtics were on top of the basketball world just a year ago, but a lot has changed since then. The Celtics have lost some key pieces this offseason, and with Jayson Tatum likely out for a year after tearing his Achilles, too, their projected starting lineup for 2025-26 looks vastly different from the one in 2024-25. The Celtics came into the 2024-25 season as title favorites, largely thanks to that impressive starting five. Even with Kristaps Porzingis missing much of the 2024 playoffs due to injury, they had won the title relatively easily, going 16-3 in the postseason. Advertisement The Celtics would prove to be one of the best teams in the NBA again in 2024-25, finishing the campaign with a 61-21 record. Their hopes of defending their title would be squashed in the Conference Semifinals against the New York Knicks, however. The Knicks won the first two games in Boston to put themselves in the driver's seat for the series. The Celtics managed to avert total disaster by winning Game 3, but would lose Game 4 and see Tatum suffer that Achilles tear on the night as well. Once it was clear that Tatum was set to be out long-term, you knew major changes were inevitable in the offseason. The Celtics were expected to try to get out of the second apron as it is, and the injury meant they had absolutely no incentive to keep the core together. First, the Celtics traded Jrue Holiday to the Portland Trail Blazers for Anfernee Simons and two second-round picks. Not long after, Porzingis was sent to the Atlanta Hawks along with a second-round pick for Georges Niang and a second-round pick. Advertisement The Celtics saved approximately $260 million in luxury tax after trading Holiday and Porzingis. These moves enabled them to get under the second apron as well. While those are some big positives, the Celtics are going to suffer on the court. They have won more than 55 games in each of the last three seasons, and it's safe to say they won't be extending that streak. With Jaylen Brown, the 2024 NBA Finals MVP, and Derrick White still on the roster, the Celtics aren't at risk of bottoming out, but they won't be making much noise in 2025-26. They should make the playoffs with how weak the Eastern Conference is, but winning even one playoff series will prove to be extremely difficult. Having Niang and Xavier Tillman as two of your starters certainly isn't ideal. The Celtics could have Neemias Queta or the recently acquired Luka Garza in the lineup instead of Tillman, but those two aren't massive upgrades either. Advertisement The Celtics could potentially bring back Al Horford, who is a free agent, but there is competition for his services. The Golden State Warriors are reportedly one of the teams interested in Horford, and his departure would be another blow. While the 39-year-old isn't exactly a huge difference-maker at this stage of his career, he still has a positive impact on the court. Time will tell if the Celtics are able to retain Horford. Even if they do accomplish that, though, this upcoming season will be somewhat of a write-off. The front office's focus needs to be on figuring out how they can build a title-contending roster next year when Tatum comes back. Related: Celtics Shut Down Jaylen Brown, Derrick White Trade Rumors With Strong Statement This story was originally reported by Fadeaway World on Jul 1, 2025, where it first appeared.
NBC Sports
20-06-2025
- Sport
- NBC Sports
How to watch Oklahoma City Thunder vs Indiana Pacers Game 7: TV/stream info, date, time for 2025 NBA Finals
A new NBA champion will be crowned this Sunday, June 22, as Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the Oklahoma City Thunder go head-to-head with Tyrese Haliburton and the Indiana Pacers at Paycom Center. It all comes down to Game 7 of the 2025 NBA Finals. Tip-off is at 8:00 PM ET on ABC. RELATED: Resiliant Pacers will not go away, force Game 7 after 108-91 Game 6 win vs. Thunder The Indiana Pacers forced Game 7 with an aggressive 108-91 win on home court on Thursday night. Obi Toppin led the way for Indiana with 20 points, Andrew Nembhard added 17, and Pascal Siakam scored 16 points with a team-high 13 rebounds. Haliburton, playing through a strained calf injury, contributed 14 points. 'We did our job to take care of home court and we've got to be ready to compete in Game 7,' said Haliburton. The Pacers' defense forced 21 Thunder turnovers, including 8 from Gilgeous-Alexander, who finished with 21 points on 7-of-15 shooting. 'It was collective. It wasn't one guy. We were not where we needed to be on either end of the floor for much of the game. We have to be a lot better before Game 7,' said Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault. 'The way I see it is, we sucked [in Game 6]. We can learn our lessons. We have one game for everything — for everything we've worked for — and so do they,' Gilgeous-Alexander said. 'The better team Sunday will win.' RELATED: Pacers, Thunder players feel weight of Game 7: 'One game for everything you ever dreamed of' Kurt Helin, How to watch Oklahoma City Thunder vs Indiana Pacers Game 7: Date: Sunday, June 22 Time: 8:00 PM ET Where: Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma TV Channel: ABC When is Game 7 of the NBA Finals? Sunday, June 22, at 8:00 PM ET on ABC. What channel is the Thunder vs Pacers game on? The Thunder vs Pacers series will take place on ABC. Thunder vs Pacers Series Scores and Schedule: *All times listed are ET Game 1: Pacers 111, Thunder 110 Game 2: Thunder 123, Pacers 107 Game 3: Pacers 116, Thunder 107 Game 4: Thunder 111, Pacers 104 Game 5: Thunder 120, Pacers 109 Game 6: Pacers 108, Thunder 91 Game 7: Pacers at Thunder - Sun, June 22, 8 PM on ABC Want even more NBA best bets and predictions from our expert staff & tools? Check out the Expert NBA Predictions page from NBC Sports for money line, spread and over/under picks for each game of the Thunder vs Pacers series! Oklahoma City Thunder's Path to the NBA Finals: The Thunder are seeking their first NBA title since relocating to Oklahoma City in 2008. The last time the franchise reached the Finals was in 2012, dropping their series against LeBron James' Miami Heat in 5. Here is how they advanced to the NBA Finals: Oklahoma City swept the No. 8 Memphis Grizzlies in the First Round, eliminated the No. 4 Denver Nuggets in 7 in the Conference Semifinals, and defeated the No. 6 Minnesota Timberwolves in 5 in the Western Conference Finals. RELATED: Times, they are a changin' - Thunder vs. Pacers Finals highlights generational change sweeping NBA Indiana Pacers' Path to the NBA Finals: The Indiana Pacers are seeking their first NBA title. The team's last Finals appearance was in 2000, when they lost to the Lakers in 6. Here is the team's path to the Finals: Indiana eliminated the No. 5 Milwaukee Bucks and the No. 1 Cleveland Cavaliers in 5 games, before knocking out the No. 6 New York Knicks in 6 to advance to the Finals. Head to for the latest news, updates, and storylines!
Yahoo
14-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Nuggets Could Acquire Dalton Knecht In Three-Team Deal With Lakers
Nuggets Could Acquire Dalton Knecht In Three-Team Deal With Lakers originally appeared on Fadeaway World. The Denver Nuggets were eliminated in the Conference Semifinals in seven games for the second straight year, losing to the Oklahoma City Thunder this time around. The Nuggets are expected to make moves this offseason, and Bleacher Report's Greg Swartz has listed Los Angeles Lakers' Dalton Knecht as one of their dream targets. Advertisement "Knecht is the perfect catch-and-shoot option to put on the court next to Jokic, with the Nuggets possibly jumping in as a third team if the Lakers attempt to trade for a new starting center." The Nuggets certainly could do with having a shooter like Knecht. The 24-year-old averaged 9.1 points, 2.8 rebounds, 0.8 steals, and 0.3 blocks per game as a rookie while shooting 37.6% from beyond the arc. Now, that percentage does seem underwhelming, but it was really dragged down by one awful stretch. Knecht shot 15.6% from beyond the arc in December 2024, as he hit the rookie wall. He rebounded well from that and was drilling shots at an excellent clip at the end of the regular season, shooting 42.0% in March and 45.5% in April. Despite Knecht finding his shooting stroke, head coach JJ Redick didn't have him in the rotation in the playoffs. It was clear when the Lakers included him in the Mark Williams trade, which later got rescinded, that they didn't mind parting with him, and his role in the playoffs only made that all the more apparent. Advertisement Knecht's shooting didn't outweigh his struggles on defense for the Lakers, and you'd expect him to be elsewhere at the start of next season. His being included in a trade that lands them a center is the most likely outcome, and the Nuggets might try to get involved in that deal. A big reason the Nuggets lost to the Thunder was their inability to score from beyond the arc. They shot 31.4% from three in the series, with Aaron Gordon (44.1%) being their only reliable shooter. That allowed the Thunder to key in on Nikola Jokic, as most of his teammates failed to make them pay for being left open. Knecht would help in that regard. The big question, though, would be whether the Lakers want to help a contender in the West. They don't necessarily have to include a third team in a deal to land a center and could just decide against doing the Nuggets a favor. Advertisement So, who would they target then? Well, Swartz has Phoenix Suns' Royce O'Neal and Sacramento Kings' Keon Ellis as two other options. O'Neal averaged 9.1 points, 4.7 rebounds, 2.2 assists, 0.9 steals, and 0.5 blocks per game for the Suns in 2024-25 while shooting 40.6% from beyond the arc. Ellis, meanwhile, averaged 8.3 points, 2.7 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 1.5 steals, and 0.8 blocks per game for the Kings while shooting 43.3% from three. O'Neal and Ellis are pretty good defenders, too, unlike Knecht. Defense was also a bit of a problem for the Nuggets this season, and so, these two would help address two of their concerns. It will be interesting to see what moves they end up making this summer, as the Nuggets are reportedly hesitant to break up their championship core. Jokic was obviously never going to be on the table, but Gordon, Jamal Murray, Michael Porter Jr., and Christian Braun aren't either. Related: Lakers Might Cut Ties With Sharpshooter In Surprising Deal With Mavericks And Magic This story was originally reported by Fadeaway World on May 31, 2025, where it first appeared.
Business Insider
05-06-2025
- Sport
- Business Insider
Where to watch NBA Finals: Live stream Indiana Pacers vs. Oklahoma City Thunder Game 1
The 2025 NBA Finals have finally arrived, and the Thunder and Pacers will square off in the best-of-seven series. We've compiled everything you need to know about where to watch the NBA Finals, including live streaming options. It's been a thrilling and often surprising month-and-a-half since the 2025 Playoffs tipped off, but it's all been leading up to the NBA Finals. No. 1 seed Oklahoma City Thunder will face off with the No. 4 seed, the Indiana Pacers. Neither team has won a championship title under their current names, although the Thunder was originally known as the Seattle SuperSonics, and the franchise won a chip in 1979. The Thunder more or less sailed through the the first few stages, with the exception of the Conference Semifinals, which went all the way to Game 7 against the Denver Nuggets. It took six games for the Pacers to defeat the Knicks in the Eastern Conference Finals, but they otherwise breezed through the Playoffs. This series won't be available on ESPN Plus, so the cheapest way to live stream the NBA Finals without a free trial will be through Sling TV. Below, we'll break down everything you need to know about that service and recommend other streaming options with free trials. What channel are the NBA Finals on? All NBA Finals games will air on ABC in the US. Game 1 is scheduled to tip off on Thursday at 8:30 p.m. ET, although NBA Countdown coverage will begin at 8. Where to watch NBA Finals in the US As we mentioned above, the absolute cheapest way for US cord-cutters to live stream the NBA Finals without a free trial is through Sling TV, since ESPN Plus won't be carrying the series. Sling costs $46/month, but new customers can get 50% off their first month of service. That means you can watch every game of the NBA Finals (even if the series makes it to Game 7) for $23. Sling is a month-to-month cable alternative, which means that you can cancel at any time. You'll want to sign up for Sling's Orange plan, which carries ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN3, TNT, and 30 other popular live channels. ESPN3 live streams ABC on NBA games, so you'll be able to watch the Finals here. This is how I personally watched the Game 5 Championship win in 2024, and I've double-checked the Sling TV guide this year to confirm that Game 1 will live stream on ESPN3 tonight. While Sling doesn't have a free trial for new customers, other live TV streaming services that offer a free trial have significantly higher monthly fees, but they also come with even more channel options. Two of the best live TV streaming services that we've tried ourselves are DirecTV and Fubo. DirecTV 's signature Entertainment plan costs $85/month, offers access to 90+ channels, and comes with a five-day free trial for new customers. Fubo 's Pro plan starts at $85/month, comes with at least 150 live channels, and offers a seven-day free trial for new users. Plus, new Fubo users can get $20 knocked off their first month of service. How to watch NBA Finals from anywhere NBA fans traveling outside the US can still keep up with their usual viewing methods with the help of a VPN, or virtual private network. VPNs are easy-to-use cybersecurity tools that enable people to change the virtual location of their devices. This way, they don't need to miss out on any games just because they're away from home. VPNs are popular ways to improve online security and privacy. The services we've highlighted today require US payment methods, so this option will work best for Americans who are just abroad at the moment. ExpressVPN consistently ranks among the best VPNs on the market. It's a top-rated, user-friendly option with a 30-day money-back guarantee. You can learn more about the app and its extensive cybersecurity features in our ExpressVPN review. Use a VPN to watch these events & shows free: All the items below have a free streaming option that can be unlocked from anywhere with a VPN. Set it to the corresponding country, and you're all set. French Open - various MotoGP - various Love Island - various The Traitors - various Walking Dead: Dead City - New Zealand Poker Face - New Zealand Note: The use of VPNs is illegal in certain countries and using VPNs to access region-locked streaming content might constitute a breach of the terms of use for certain services. Business Insider does not endorse or condone the illegal use of VPNs.
