Latest news with #NBAFinals2025
Time of India
5 hours ago
- Sport
- Time of India
Thunder vs Pacers NBA Finals 2025: Complete schedule, live streaming, game times & MVP race with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Haliburton
Thunder vs Pacers NBA Finals 2025: The 2025 NBA Finals feature an unexpected but compelling matchup between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Indiana Pacers. These two teams are vying for their first NBA championship in their current cities. The Thunder is led by MVP frontrunner Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, will face off against Tyrese Haliburton and the Pacers. These other teams have shown resilience and offensive prowess throughout the playoffs. Below is the complete schedule, which includes dates, times, and streaming options, as well as the latest odds. NBA Finals 2025 Schedule and Game Times The best-of-seven series is tied 1-1 after the first two games, with the Pacers stealing Game 1 on a last-second shot by Haliburton and the Thunder dominating Game 2 at home. Here is the full NBA Finals 2025 schedule with dates, game times, and locations: How to Watch Thunder vs Pacers NBA Finals 2025 Live Streaming Below are the list of live streaming to watch Thunder vs Pacers NBA Finals 2025 listed: TV Broadcast: All games are nationally televised on ABC in the United States. Streaming Options: Fans can watch live via streaming services such as DIRECTV (offering a five-day free trial), fuboTV (free trial available), and the NBA League Pass for global viewers. NBA 2025 MVP Race: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander vs Tyrese Haliburton The MVP spotlight shines brightly on Oklahoma City Thunder's Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. He has been electric throughout the postseason, averaging approximately 29.8 points, 6.9 assists, and 5.7 rebounds per game. His offensive prowess and leadership are central to the Thunder's championship hopes. On the other side, Indiana Pacers' Tyrese Haliburton, an All-Star in 2023 and 2024, has been performed quite well, including a game-winning shot in Game 1. Haliburton's playmaking and scoring ability have been key to the Pacers' surprising Finals run. NBA Finals 2025: Series Odds and Predictions As per the recent forms, the Thunder are favoured to win the series with odds around -525, while the Pacers are underdogs at +400. Game 3 odds favour the Thunder by 5 points with an over/under of 227.5 points. Thunder's have strong perimeter defense, anchored by Lu Dort, Alex Caruso, and Chet Holmgren. It can be seen as a challenge for the Pacers offense. The Pacers rely heavily on Haliburton and Pascal Siakam, but lack Finals experience compared to the Thunder's more battle-tested squad. NBA Finals 2025 Highlights Below is the required NBA Finals 2025 Highlights listed: With star players Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Tyrese Haliburton leading the charge, fans can expect high-stakes basketball action broadcast live on ABC and streaming platforms. The series schedule offers multiple prime-time games. It will be accessible for basketball enthusiasts worldwide. (Note: Dates/timings may be subject to change; details mentioned here are as per the information available.) For more informative articles on historical and upcoming events from around the world, please visit Indiatimes Events.
Time of India
4 days ago
- Sport
- Time of India
New York Knicks reportedly interested in Jason Kidd as next head coach
Knicks exploring Jason Kidd amid head coach search The New York Knicks are conducting internal evaluations of Dallas Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd as a potential candidate to replace Tom Thibodeau , according to sources familiar with the team's plans. Kidd, who is currently under contract through the 2025–26 season, has not yet received a formal interview request from the Knicks. Sources indicate that Dallas Mavericks general manager Nico Harrison and team governor Patrick Dumont have not made a decision on whether to grant the Knicks permission to speak with Kidd. While Kidd's contract poses a logistical hurdle, NBA precedent allows for trades of coaching rights , which could be an option if both teams agree. Also read: How to watch NBA Finals 2025: Thunder vs. Pacers Game 1 TV channel, live stream, odds, and prediction New York's draft capital, however, is limited. The franchise traded five first-round picks to acquire forward Mikal Bridges from the Brooklyn Nets in 2024. Currently, the Knicks hold a top-eight-protected 2026 first-round pick from the Washington Wizards and eight second-round selections, including the No. 50 pick in the upcoming draft. The team also retains swap rights in 2026, 2030, 2031, and 2032. Live Events Kidd previously interviewed with the Knicks in 2020 before Thibodeau was ultimately hired. The Hall of Fame point guard, who ended his playing career with the Knicks in 2013, has led the Mavericks to a 54.6 per cent win percentage (179-149) during his four seasons as head coach. Knicks part ways with Thibodeau following playoff exit The Knicks dismissed head coach Tom Thibodeau after their elimination in the Eastern Conference Finals against the Indiana Pacers. Thibodeau, who became the fourth-winningest coach in franchise history, led New York to consecutive 50-win seasons for the first time since the 1990s and orchestrated a major second-round playoff upset over the Boston Celtics. Despite his success, Thibodeau faced criticism for heavily relying on his starting lineup, which showed signs of fatigue and underperformance during the latter part of the regular season and into the postseason. Thibodeau's .579 regular season winning percentage is the highest among NBA coaches with at least 300 games who have never reached the Finals, according to ESPN Research. Also read: Orlando Magic reveal new logo and uniforms for 2025–26 NBA season Future unclear for Kidd in Dallas following roster changes Jason Kidd guided the Mavericks to the NBA Finals in 2024, but the team has undergone significant changes since. Notably, the franchise traded star guard Luka Dončić to the Los Angeles Lakers in February 2025, a deal reportedly made without Kidd's prior input. The Knicks' consideration of Kidd reflects their interest in an experienced coach with postseason credentials, though his current contract and the team's limited assets may complicate discussions. Economic Times WhatsApp channel )
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
What impresses OKC Thunder coach Mark Daigneault most about Pacers, NBA Finals foe?
The Thunder's nose has seemingly perked up. It can sense another team with a strong sense of self. All it takes is a watch of Indiana's Game 6 win over the Knicks on Saturday, punching its ticket to the NBA Finals, to understand that its identity is almost aromatic. Advertisement Watch the way Andrew Nembhard clings to superstar guard Jalen Brunson like a holster. His ball pressure is as distinctive a mark of their identity as a dimple. Or the fact that a player like Thomas Bryant, who averaged 15.1 minutes this year, could help lunge the Pacers to the promised land; they're hardly surprised. Or Tyrese Haliburton's vindicated glares in the face of being labeled overrated. This team is proud. Groomed internally, dismissive of the notions that they needed some farm of superstars to stun the East. Almost everything they needed, it seems, was in their backyard. 'We have a lot of respect for them from afar,' coach Mark Daigneault said of the Pacers on Sunday. 'The program they've built, the way that they play, the identity they've built on the court, the way their guys play together. The whole is better than the sum of the parts with their team, which I think is the sign of a good team.' NBA Finals 2025: OKC Thunder vs Indiana Pacers matchup breakdown. Who has the edge? Tyrese Haliburton is the head of the snake for Pacers Not unlike the Thunder, the Pacers withstood this postseason in large part because of their depth. Haliburton is the head of the snake, but they click on multiple cylinders to work. Advertisement Pascal Siakam won MVP of the East finals, a sign of his consistency. Nembhard and Aaron Nesmith have proved necessary on both ends. Myles Turner is a proud part of the foundation. Obi Toppin and Bennedict Mathurin have also been relied on. If you need to know anything, know that the theme of their tunnel walk on Saturday was all-black: a coordinated, team-wide preparation for a New York funeral. They're even connected when they Ether teams. 'Mark made a really good point,' OKC star Jalen Williams said. 'Like, they're feeling the exact same way we feel. They've had to win three series, we've had to win three series. So they're coming in extremely confident.' MUSSATTO: How did OKC Thunder get back to NBA Finals? Timeline from Paul George trade to now OKC Thunder vs Indiana Pacers in NBA Finals is ultimate small-market clash Pacers versus Thunder — for those not thinking of TV ratings, the pockets of billionaires or what David Stern would do — is being presented as an all-time defense against an all-time offense. A matchup where OKC's stingy defense, which leeches off turnovers, faces a competent Indiana offense that refuses to cough it up so easily. Advertisement But the Thunder offense has been the third-best in the league this postseason, just behind the Pacers, even if its shooting can be shaky and its halfcourt presentation is sometimes questionable. And while there aren't nearly as many pests to call on, the Pacers defense has a sense of self — and frankly can beset more offense with how much they score. 'The way they defend contributes to their team identity,' Daigneault said. 'It's not just offense. Their defensive philosophy is very much aligned with their offensive philosophy. So it creates a certain air to the game when you play against them that is difficult to play against. 'They play the same way in January as they do in May. They play the same way up 20 as they do down 20. They've got unbelievable integrity to the way that they do things.' Perhaps no one has been asked to look in the mirror as often as Haliburton. A player whose future was once promised in Sacramento, only to be traded as sophomore, to then be questioned as an All-Star as recently as this winter. Advertisement He wasn't selected for February's All-Star game, and yet was selected as an All-NBA Third Teamer. Some weeks after being voted among the NBA's most overrated players in The Athletic's annual anonymous player poll, Haliburton has laughed and emoted and smiled through series wins, even grabbing his throat to revive haunting memories during the Knicks series. 'What makes him very good is that he's very confident,' Williams said of Haliburton. 'To be able to play as well as he's been playing through a lot of the 'overrated' stuff, you gotta tip your hat to him for that.' Haliburton's rise and demeanor have mirrored that of Indiana during this playoff run. Proud. And hardly overrated. More: OKC Thunder vs Indiana Pacers predictions, odds: Who wins 2025 NBA Finals? Indiana Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle yells to his team during the second half of Game 4 of the NBA Eastern Conference Finals against the New York Knicks on Tuesday, May 27, 2025, at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. The Pacers defeated the Knicks 130-121. Thunder vs. Pacers NBA Finals schedule All times are Central Advertisement This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: OKC Thunder marvels at Indiana Pacers' approach to reach NBA Finals
