Latest news with #ShaiGilgeous-Alexander
Newsweek
5 hours ago
- Sport
- Newsweek
Thunder Eye Historic Feat to Match Michael Jordan's Legendary Bulls
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. The NBA Finals and the matchups are set. The top-seed and overwhelming favorites, the Oklahoma City Thunder, will take on the No. 4 seed in the Eastern Conference, the Indiana Pacers. Thunder-Pacers NBA Finals Preview: What to Know, Key Dates, Prediction The Thunder enter this match as the favorites and by a large margin. Oklahoma City opened as -750 favorites over the Indiana Pacers in the Finals at ESPN BET. The Pacers opened as +525 underdogs. The Thunder have the talent and home-court advantage on their side. As for the Pacers, they have all the momentum, toughness, grit and attitude they need to pull off the impossible. On the basketball side of things, this series is set not to disappoint. The Thunder will look to avoid disappointing their fans, as they are on the verge of history. The Thunder, who won 68 games in the regular season, are four wins away from putting themselves among the likes of the historic 1995-96 Chicago Bulls. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander #2 of the Oklahoma City Thunder poses with teammates after defeating the Minnesota Timberwolves 124-94 in Game Five of the Western Conference Finals of the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Paycom Center on May... Shai Gilgeous-Alexander #2 of the Oklahoma City Thunder poses with teammates after defeating the Minnesota Timberwolves 124-94 in Game Five of the Western Conference Finals of the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Paycom Center on May 28, 2025 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. More Photo by"On the other side, Oklahoma City also would rank toward the extreme end of a historical leaderboard if it were to win the Finals. The Thunder went 68-14 in the regular season and with four more wins would reach 84 total wins for the season; the 1995-96 Chicago Bulls, who went 72-10 before cruising through the playoffs, are the only champions in NBA history with more total victories," wrote Zach Krama and Kevin Pelton of ESPN. More NBA news: Best Landing Spots For Timberwolves' Naz Reid Amid Free Agency Rumors The 1995-96 Bulls won 15 games in the playoffs, as was the case before, with the first-round series being a best-of-five series. Ultimately, the Bulls ended that season with 87 wins. As for the Thunder, if they were to collect four more wins, they'd end their historic season with 84 wins, three shy of Michael Jordan's Bulls. Oklahoma City has all the tools to get the job done, led by their MVP, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. The MVP of the league and his team are poised for history. They are coming off a historic regular season led by a young, rising star-studded core and a unique approach to team building. For the second consecutive season, they finished as the No. 1 seed in the loaded Western Conference. The Thunder could go down as one of the best teams to ever win a title. While that may not be the case right off the bat (if they win), in the long run, the statistics and data will support that claim. More NBA news: Spurs Need to Avoid Nightmare Situation With Victor Wembanyama NBA Finals Set to Feature Uncommon Matchup Missing for Almost Two Decades For more Thunder, Pacers, and NBA news and rumors, head on over to Newsweek Sports
Newsweek
6 hours ago
- Sport
- Newsweek
Thunder-Pacers NBA Finals Preview: What to Know, Key Dates, Prediction
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. The 2024-25 NBA Finals are now officially set, with the Oklahoma City Thunder and Indiana Pacers getting ready to square off. Both teams come in with a lot of excitement after some thrilling moments throughout he postseason. Fans are obviously excited for this matchup, but there is a lot of information to know. This matchup features some real star power as well, with Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton leading the way. OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA - MARCH 29: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander #2 of the Oklahoma City Thunder shoots the ball over Aaron Nesmith #23 of the Indiana Pacers during the third quarter at Paycom Center on March 29,... OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA - MARCH 29: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander #2 of the Oklahoma City Thunder shoots the ball over Aaron Nesmith #23 of the Indiana Pacers during the third quarter at Paycom Center on March 29, 2025 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. More Photo byHere is a complete guide, preview, and key questions regarding the upcoming NBA Finals. NBA Finals Schedule Game 1: Thursday, June 5, at 8:30 p.m. ET from Paycom Center in Oklahoma City Game 2: Sunday, June 8, at 8 p.m. ET, from Paycom Center Game 3: Wednesday, June 11, at 8:30 p.m. ET, from Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis Game 4: Friday, June 13, at 8:30 p.m. ET from Gainbridge Fieldhouse Game 5 (if necessary): Monday, June 16, at 8:30 p.m. ET from Paycom Center Game 6 (if necessary): Thursday, June 19, at 8:30 p.m. ET from Gainbridge Fieldhouse Game 7 (if necessary): Sunday, June 22, 8 p.m. ET, from Paycom Center Recent meetings between the two teams The Thunder took both games against the Pacers this season. Dec. 26, 2024: Oklahoma City defeated Indiana on the road, 120-114 March 29, 2025: Oklahoma City defeated Indiana at home, 132-111 Who has home-court advantage in the NBA Finals? The Thunder have home-court advantage in this series after finishing the regular season with a record of 68-14. Oklahoma City was the top team in the NBA this season. In comparison, Indiana finished the regular season with a record of 50-32. The Pacers entered the playoffs as the No. 4 seed in the Eastern Conference. How did each team get to the NBA Finals? Oklahoma City entered the playoffs as the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference. They swept the Memphis Grizzlies in the first round, then defeated the Denver Nuggets in the second round over seven games, before finally taking down the Minnesota Timberwolves in the Conference Finals in five games. Indiana took on the Milwaukee Bucks in the first round, winning the series in five games. The Pacers then defeated the top-seeded Cleveland Cavaliers in five games, and finally, they took down the New York Knicks in the Eastern Conference Finals in six games. How many NBA Finals appearances/titles has each team won? Neither team has ever won the championship, and this will be the second appearance for each franchise in the NBA Finals. Technically, the Thunder franchise won a title as the Seattle SuperSonics in 1979, but Oklahoma City has never won one. The Thunder last appeared in the NBA Finals in 2012, losing to the Miami Heat. The Pacers last appeared in the NBA Finals in 2000, losing to the Los Angeles Lakers. For the seventh consecutive year, the league will crown a new champion, the longest streak in NBA history. How much are tickets to the NBA Finals? Right now, the cheapest ticket for Game 1 of the series in Oklahoma City is coming in at $693 according to StubHub. The cheapest ticket for Game 3 in Indiana is coming in at $809, according to StubHub. Ticket prices will likely shift as the series goes on. Who will win the NBA Finals? Prediction: Thunder in six The Pacers have been one of the best storylines from recent NBA playoff history, but the Thunder are an entirely different animal to deal with. Oklahoma City was the best team in the NBA for a reason, and they are one of the best defensive teams in league history. Much like Indiana, Oklahoma City loves to run up and down the court. The Pacers likely won't be able to use pace to overwhelm the Thunder, and Oklahoma City uses a long rotation in games. The Pacers are good enough to make this a compelling series, but in the end, the Thunder should take care of business. More NBA news: Pacers' Tyrese Haliburton Savagely Trolls Knicks Following Playoff Win NBA Finals Set to Feature Uncommon Matchup Missing for Almost Two Decades For more Thunder, Pacers, and NBA Finals news and rumors, head on over to Newsweek Sports
Yahoo
7 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Different paths, same destination for the Thunder and Pacers, who will face off in the NBA Finals
Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton reacts after winning Game 6 of the Eastern Conference finals of the NBA basketball playoffs against the New York Knicks in Indianapolis, Saturday, May 31, 2025. (AP Photo/AJ Mast) Oklahoma City Thunder forward Jalen Williams (8), left, and Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) pose for a photo after Game 5 of the Western Conference finals of the NBA basketball playoffs against the Minnesota Timberwolves, Wednesday, May 28, 2025, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Nate Billings) Oklahoma City Thunder forward Jalen Williams (8), left, and Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) pose for a photo after Game 5 of the Western Conference finals of the NBA basketball playoffs against the Minnesota Timberwolves, Wednesday, May 28, 2025, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Nate Billings) Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton reacts after winning Game 6 of the Eastern Conference finals of the NBA basketball playoffs against the New York Knicks in Indianapolis, Saturday, May 31, 2025. (AP Photo/AJ Mast) Oklahoma City Thunder forward Jalen Williams (8), left, and Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) pose for a photo after Game 5 of the Western Conference finals of the NBA basketball playoffs against the Minnesota Timberwolves, Wednesday, May 28, 2025, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Nate Billings) Oklahoma City spent most of the regular season alone atop the Western Conference standings and just kept adding to its lead. Indiana didn't spend a single day atop the Eastern Conference standings and was still under the .500 mark in early January. Different paths, same destination. Advertisement It will be the Thunder and the Pacers squaring off when the NBA Finals start in Oklahoma City on Thursday night, a matchup of two clubs that weren't exactly on similar paths this season. 'When you get to this point of the season, it's two teams and it's one goal and so it becomes an all or nothing thing,' Indiana coach Rick Carlisle said. 'And we understand the magnitude of the opponent. Oklahoma City has been dominant all year long — with capital letters in the word 'dominant.' Defensively, they're historically great and they got all kinds of guys that can score. It's two teams that have similar structures, slightly different styles." The deep dives into the other side were beginning in earnest on Sunday, a day after the Pacers finished off their Eastern Conference title by ousting New York in six games. Indiana was taking a day off before getting set to return to work on Monday; the Thunder were practicing in Oklahoma City. 'We always talk about human nature in our locker room and the human nature way of thinking about it is 'four wins away, four wins away.' You kind of lose sight of the fact that you've got to win one to get to four,' Thunder guard Jalen Williams said Sunday. "You've got to stack wins. So, that's how we're looking at it. Let's get prepared for Game 1 now and just go from there. And I think that does make it a little easier now that we know who we're playing.' Advertisement The Pacers lost their 14th game of the regular season in early December; the Thunder lost 14 regular-season games this season, total. That would make it seem like this was an unlikely finals matchup. But since Dec. 13, including regular-season and playoff games, the Thunder have the NBA's best record at 61-13. The team with the second-most wins in the league over those last 5 1/2 months? That would be Indiana, going 52-21 over that span. 'We had expectations to be here and this isn't a surprise to any of us because of what we wanted to do,' Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton said. 'And I think obviously there's a turning point there in December or January or whatever the case may be. But I just thought we did a great job of just being as present as possible, not living in the past, not worrying about what's next, just worrying about what's now.' What's now is the NBA Finals. The Pacers were a middle-of-the-pack pick to start the season, with 50-1 preseason odds to win the title, according to BetMGM Sportsbook. The Thunder were only 9-1 entering the season, behind Boston and New York out of the East — and Denver and Minnesota, two teams that the Thunder eliminated in this season's West playoffs. Advertisement 'We've learned a lot,' Thunder center Isaiah Hartenstein said. 'We've had to learn how to handle a lot of situations. I think that's going to help us now.' ___ AP NBA:
Yahoo
10 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Sixers legend gives love to Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
Oklahoma City Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is currently having one of the best playoff runs in the history of the game. As he leads the Thunder into the finals against the Indiana Pacers, he's averaging 29.8 points, 6.9 assists, and 5.7 rebounds and he joined some NBA legends along the way. Fresh off an MVP season, Gilgeous-Alexander joined Philadelphia 76ers legend Allen Iverson and Chicago Bulls legend Michael Jordan as the only players to win MVP and have 10-plus playoff points with 30-plus points and 4-plus assists. Advertisement Iverson took to Instagram to welcome Gilgeous-Alexander to the club as the Sixers legend continues to prop up the greats in today's game. Now, Gilgeous-Alexander will look to lead the Thunder to their first NBA championship in franchise history. Of course, the Thunder won a title back in 1979 as the Seattle SuperSonics, but they gave up their Seattle history when they moved to Oklahoma City in 2008. Game 1 with the Pacers is set for Thursday at 8:30 p.m. EDT. This article originally appeared on Sixers Wire: Sixers legend gives love to Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
Fox Sports
11 hours ago
- Sport
- Fox Sports
2025 NBA Finals MVP odds: Can Gilgeous-Alexander pull off MVP trifecta?
The NBA regular-season MVP will look to pull off the double dip in the Finals. Oklahoma City and Indiana are set to face off in this year's NBA Finals, after each team somewhat breezed through their respective playoff matchups, with both going 12-4 so far in the postseason. Now, the Larry O'Brien Trophy is on the line, as well as the Bill Russell Finals MVP award. Will league MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander complete the MVP sweep? Let's check out the odds at DraftKings Sportsbook as of June 1. 2025 NBA Finals MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander: -600 (bet $10 to win $11.67 total) Tyrese Haliburton: +700 (bet $10 to win $80 total) Pascal Siakam: +1600 (bet $10 to win $170 total) Jalen Williams: +3000 (bet $10 to win $310 total) Chet Holmgren: +7500 (bet $10 to win $760 total) Myles Turner: +20000 (bet $10 to win $2,010 total) SGA is heavily favored to take home the hardware, not only because he is the league MVP, but because his Thunder are heavily favored to win the Finals, at -700. Only once has a player won Finals MVP while playing on the losing team: the Lakers' Jerry West in 1969. In NBA history, 10 players have won both regular-season MVP and Finals MVP. That list includes LeBron James (2012, 2013), Tim Duncan (2003), Shaquille O'Neal (2000), Hakeem Olajuwon (1994), Michael Jordan (1991, 1992, 1996, 1998), Magic Johnson (1987), Larry Bird (1984, 1986), Moses Malone (1983), Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (1971) and Willis Reed (1970). As noted, Jordan accomplished the feat four times, the most in league history, followed by James and Bird, who both did it twice. However, SGA does have a chance to make some history this year. He could become the first player in NBA history to win regular-season MVP, Western Conference finals MVP and NBA Finals MVP. The Earvin "Magic" Johnson Trophy (West finals MVP) and Larry Bird Trophy (East finals MVP) have only been in existence for four years, meaning the likes of Jordan, Abdul-Jabbar and others from the list above (everyone except James) never had a chance to win it during their playing days. Nikola Jokić came closest to pulling it off in 2023, when he won Western Conference finals MVP and NBA Finals MVP. However, Joel Embiid won regular-season MVP that year. As for other names on the oddsboard, Pascal Siakam was named Eastern Conference finals MVP, meaning he still has a chance to win two MVP awards in one season if his Pacers can pull off the upset — or, if he goes Jerry West-mode. Want great stories delivered right to your inbox? Create or log in to your FOX Sports account, and follow leagues, teams and players to receive a personalized newsletter daily! recommended Get more from National Basketball Association Follow your favorites to get information about games, news and more
