The road to the NBA Finals is heating up — and both Oklahoma City and Indiana have taken major strides.
On Friday night, the Indiana Pacers stunned the New York Knicks once again at Madison Square Garden, earning a 114-109 win in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference finals. Pascal Siakam led the charge with 39 points, giving Indiana a 2-0 series lead. It’s a historic stumble for the Knicks, who have now dropped five home games in a single postseason for the first time in franchise history.
Out West, Oklahoma City holds a commanding 2-0 lead over Minnesota. The Thunder have a chance to push the series to 3-0 when they face the Timberwolves in Minneapolis on Saturday night.
? 8:30 p.m. ET – Thunder at Timberwolves (ESPN)
Sunday (May 26):
? 8:00 p.m. ET – Knicks at Pacers (TNT)
Monday (May 27):
? 8:30 p.m. ET – Thunder at Timberwolves (ESPN)
Tuesday (May 28):
? 8:00 p.m. ET – Knicks at Pacers (TNT)
The Pacers are also the kings of the late-game rally:
On Friday night, the Indiana Pacers stunned the New York Knicks once again at Madison Square Garden, earning a 114-109 win in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference finals. Pascal Siakam led the charge with 39 points, giving Indiana a 2-0 series lead. It’s a historic stumble for the Knicks, who have now dropped five home games in a single postseason for the first time in franchise history.
Out West, Oklahoma City holds a commanding 2-0 lead over Minnesota. The Thunder have a chance to push the series to 3-0 when they face the Timberwolves in Minneapolis on Saturday night.
? Conference Finals TV Schedule
Saturday (May 25):? 8:30 p.m. ET – Thunder at Timberwolves (ESPN)
Sunday (May 26):
? 8:00 p.m. ET – Knicks at Pacers (TNT)
Monday (May 27):
? 8:30 p.m. ET – Thunder at Timberwolves (ESPN)
Tuesday (May 28):
? 8:00 p.m. ET – Knicks at Pacers (TNT)
? Latest Betting Odds (via BetMGM)
- Oklahoma City: -300 (favorite to win title)
- Indiana: +400
- New York: +1800
- Minnesota: +2000
Thunder are currently 2.5-point favorites for Saturday’s Game 3.
? Conference Finals Breakdown
Eastern Conference (All games 8 p.m. ET):- Game 1: Indiana 138, New York 135 (OT)
- Game 2: Indiana 114, New York 109
- Game 3: May 26 at Indiana
- Game 4: May 27 at Indiana
- Game 5: May 29 at New York
- Game 6: May 31 at Indiana
- Game 7: June 2 at New York (if necessary)
- Game 1: OKC 114, Minnesota 88
- Game 2: OKC 118, Minnesota 103
- Game 3: May 25 at Minnesota
- Game 4: May 26 at Minnesota
- Game 5: May 28 at OKC
- Game 6: May 30 at Minnesota
- Game 7: June 1 at OKC (if necessary)
? Indy Doubleheader: Racers and Pacers
Indianapolis is the center of the sports world this Sunday with the Indy 500 and Game 3 of the East Finals both happening on the same day. It's the first time since 2013 the city has hosted both events concurrently.? Award Season Highlights
- MVP: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
- Executive of the Year: Sam Presti (OKC)
- Coach of the Year: Kenny Atkinson (Cleveland)
- Rookie of the Year: Stephon Castle (San Antonio)
- Defensive Player of the Year: Evan Mobley (Cleveland)
- Sixth Man: Payton Pritchard (Boston)
- Clutch Player: Jalen Brunson (New York)
- Social Justice & Sportsmanship: Jrue Holiday (Boston)
- Most Improved: Dyson Daniels (Atlanta)
- Teammate of the Year: Stephen Curry (Golden State)
- Hustle Award: Draymond Green (Golden State)
? Top Scorers This Postseason
- 48 – Donovan Mitchell (vs. Indiana, May 6)
- 44 – Nikola Jokic (at OKC, May 13)
- 43 – Mitchell, Murray, Edwards, Brunson (various games)
- 42 – Jayson Tatum, Jokic
- 40 – Jalen Brunson (vs. Detroit, May 1)
- 39 – Kawhi Leonard, Brunson, Siakam (latest Game 2 hero)
? Key Dates to Watch
- June 1-2: Last possible dates for Game 7s (West/East)
- June 5: NBA Finals Game 1
- June 25–26: NBA Draft (Round 1 and 2)
? Draft Lottery Surprise: Mavs Win Big
Despite just a 1.8% chance, the Dallas Mavericks struck gold in the NBA Draft Lottery and are now expected to select high-school phenom Cooper Flagg.? Historic Comebacks & Clutch Moments
Five teams have erased 20+ point deficits this postseason — the most ever in the play-by-play era (since 1997). Oklahoma City holds the biggest comeback: overcoming a 29-point deficit against Memphis on April 24.The Pacers are also the kings of the late-game rally:
- Down 7+ points in the final minute three times — and won all three.
? Noteworthy Stats & Records
- Knicks: First time ever with 5 home playoff losses in one season
- Jalen Brunson: Tied Bernard King with 8 playoff games of 30+ points
- Pacers: 32-8 when Haliburton has 10+ assists; 6 straight road wins
- Indiana: Franchise-record playoff road win streak
