NBA convention finals takeaways: Knicks’ season is in jeopardy

The 2025 NBA convention finals have come to an finish. The Oklahoma City Thunder closed out the Western Convention finals Wednesday earlier than the Indiana Pacers knocked out the New York Knicks on Saturday night time to advance to the Finals.

The No. 1 seed Thunder took a commanding 2-0 lead within the West finals in opposition to the sixth-seeded Minnesota Timberwolves earlier than getting blown out in Sport 3 at Goal Heart. However the Thunder bounced again to take Sport 4 in a back-and-forth battle earlier than profitable the collection in Sport 5 in dominant style Wednesday.

Within the East, the No. 4 seed Indiana Pacers took a 2-0 lead in opposition to the 3-seed New York Knicks at Madison Sq. Backyard. However the Knicks rallied on the Pacers’ house courtroom in Sport 3 after a fourth-quarter surge from Karl-Anthony Towns. The Pacers responded by taking Sport 4 at house, and the Knicks handily defeated Indiana in Sport 5. The Pacers finally defended their house courtroom in Sport 6 to advance to their first NBA Finals since 2000.

Our NBA insiders break down their greatest takeaways from the matchups and what to observe going ahead.

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Pacers-Knicks | Timberwolves-Thunder

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Jap Convention

(4) Indiana Pacers win collection in opposition to (3) New York Knicks 4-2

Sport 6: Pacers 125, Knicks 108

For every of the previous two seasons, the Indiana Pacers have been seen as a enjoyable, up-and-coming underdog within the Jap Convention playoffs. They have been a crew to watch, and one that would ascend sooner or later — even after final 12 months’s shock run to the convention finals in opposition to the Boston Celtics.

Properly, it seems, that ascent is full, and in far faster style than anybody — besides presumably the Pacers themselves — may’ve imagined.

With Saturday night time’s 125-108 conquer the New York Knicks — traditionally this franchise’s oldest and most bitter rival — in Sport 6 of the Jap Convention finals in entrance of a raucous sellout crowd inside Gainbridge Fieldhouse, the Pacers punched their ticket to the NBA Finals for the primary time since beating the identical foe to get there 25 years in the past.

Initially of final 12 months’s playoffs, conducting such a feat could not have been farther from anybody’s minds. Indiana had simply snapped a three-year playoff drought after not profitable a single playoff collection in over a decade, and entered as a big underdog in opposition to the Milwaukee Bucks. However Giannis Antetokounmpo by no means performed in that collection, Damian Lillard was harm by the top of it, and the Pacers superior.

Then got here a collection in opposition to the New York Knicks that, though Indiana received it in seven video games, noticed New York lacking 4 of its 5 starters by the top of the primary quarter of Sport 7. In consequence, excuses have been made and holes have been poked within the Pacers’ accomplishments.

A four-game sweep by the hands of the eventual champion Celtics — regardless of a number of shut video games and star Tyrese Haliburton exiting the collection early with an harm — did not change that view.

However this season? Every thing is completely different. Indiana simply dismissed Antetokounmpo and the Bucks within the first spherical, together with the primary of many exceptional comebacks in these playoffs to shut the collection out in Sport 5. Then got here the five-game demolition of the 64-win, No. 1 seed Cleveland Cavaliers within the convention semifinals, which featured eviscerations in Video games 4 and 5 that left little doubt about which crew deserved to advance.

After which, lastly, got here this slugfest of a collection with the Pacers’ ceaselessly rivals, the Knicks. Indiana stole the primary two video games at Madison Sq. Backyard — together with one other actually ridiculous comeback in Sport 1 — earlier than finally closing the collection out in entrance of its house followers in Sport 6.

The Pacers, as they did for a lot of the collection, dominated in transition in Sport 6. And that, coupled with their newest great 3-point capturing recreation in these playoffs, allowed them to dismiss New York from the playoffs for a second 12 months in a row, a fourth time in a row, and a sixth time general of their 9 postseason conferences since 1993.

For coach Rick Carlisle, it is the fruits of a imaginative and prescient that started when he got here to Indianapolis from Dallas in 2021, and particularly after he lastly landed Haliburton — a participant he’d been concerned with for the reason that 2020 draft — in a commerce in 2022. For Haliburton, it was the newest marker of the 25-year-old’s arrival as one of many faces of the subsequent era of the NBA. And for Pacers president of basketball operations Kevin Pritchard and the entrance workplace, it was proof {that a} imaginative and prescient constructed round Haliburton’s distinctive presents may produce each extremely entertaining — and profitable — basketball.

There’s clearly nonetheless loads of work to be accomplished. Anybody who has seen the Oklahoma City Thunder play is aware of beating them shall be no straightforward activity. Nonetheless, for the Pacers, this can be a second to savor and revel within the beautiful accomplishment this crew has achieved in seemingly the blink of an eye fixed. Indiana is again atop the East. And, with a crew led by one of many league’s brightest younger stars, it could possibly be right here to remain for some time. — Tim Bontemps

Largest takeaways for the Pacers:

Haliburton vowed to be extra aggressive in Sport 6, and though he did not rack up gaudy level totals, he was again because the initiator whereas driving the Pacers’ offense to get out and run.

Indiana’s fast-paced tempo shall be its power because it heads to a Finals matchup in opposition to Oklahoma Metropolis’s juggernaut protection, and Haliburton should make the Pacers go. In Sport 6, Haliburton put up 21 factors, 13 assists and three steals, his hit-ahead passes serving to lead the Pacers to 38 factors in transition, essentially the most by a crew in a recreation this postseason, per ESPN monitoring.

In the meantime, Pascal Siakam continued to be Indiana’s most constant offensive participant within the collection, placing up one other 26 factors. The Pacers bounced again from their worst exhibiting of the playoffs, almost matching their Sport 5 complete (94) with 92 factors by means of three quarters. — Jamal Collier

Largest takeaways for the Knicks:

Judging by the best way the Knicks approached Sport 5 — staging their defensive rotations with drive and precision, and taking good care of the ball to make sure the speedy Pacers could not flip their turnovers into straightforward factors — the thought crept into thoughts simply sufficient: Maybe New York may do that, in any case. A win in enemy territory throughout Sport 6 would imply the collection was heading again to Madison Sq. Backyard for a Sport 7 — one that might be pressure-packed for the visiting Pacers, who would have let a 3-1 lead slip.

However the third quarter of Sport 6, wherein the Knicks coughed up the basketball numerous instances, obliterated any and each chance of there being a Sport 7. New York’s hopes of reaching the NBA Finals for the primary time in 1 / 4 century formally got here to an in depth.

Within the clinching loss, the Knicks had 18 essential turnovers that the Pacers cashed in for 34 factors. Indiana had 25 fast-break factors to New York’s 10, with the Pacers usually sprinting down the ground to attain inside three or 4 seconds of a made basket on the opposite finish.

New York merely wasn’t disciplined sufficient when it mattered most to beat a Pacers membership that does not make many errors, significantly at house. And now the Knicks may have all offseason to consider how shut they bought. — Chris Herring

Finals Sport 1: Pacers at Thunder (June 5, 8:30 p.m. ET, ABC)

What to observe:

Indiana turned in its worst offensive efficiency of the postseason in Sport 5 of the Jap Convention finals, scoring simply 94 factors in a blowout loss. That was an aberration for the crew that ranks second in offensive score within the playoffs.

However the Pacers returned to type in Sport 6, busting out for 125 factors and making 52% of their 3-point tries — they usually’d higher hope they’ll keep there over the subsequent couple of weeks. The Thunder shall be closely favored to win this surprising Finals matchup, and Indiana’s solely likelihood is to keep up its torrid offensive tempo.

In concept, the Pacers have a few benefits in opposition to one of the best protection within the league. Led by Haliburton, who is very safe with the ball, Indiana has the third-lowest turnover fee in each the common season and playoffs, which ought to assist the Pacers restrict Oklahoma Metropolis’s profitable turnover recreation. Indiana additionally leads all playoff groups in 3-point proportion (40%), which may burn a Thunder protection that permits a excessive 3-point fee. Position gamers similar to Aaron Nesmith (50% on 3s within the playoffs), Andrew Nembhard (48%) and Myles Turner (40%) ought to get loads of long-range appears in opposition to Oklahoma Metropolis, they usually’ve all been on fireplace for weeks.

However make no mistake: Oklahoma Metropolis’s protection presents a a lot fiercer problem than something Indiana has confronted to succeed in this level. After attacking undersized guards like Darius Garland and Brunson to get to the Finals, the Pacers may have no straightforward targets within the Finals. And the Thunder have the deepest set of top-tier defensive guards within the league, which units the stage for a showdown in opposition to Haliburton.

Haliburton and his teammates have exceeded all expectations within the playoffs up to now. Have they got another shock in them? — Zach Kram

Western Convention

(1) Oklahoma City Thunder win collection in opposition to (6) Minnesota Timberwolves 4-1

Sport 5: Thunder 124, Timberwolves 94

When the Thunder made the NBA Finals for the primary time in 2012, it was secure to imagine it might be the beginning of a run. Then James Harden had a contract dispute and was traded. Then Kevin Durant harm his proper foot, and Russell Westbrook harm his proper knee.

It has been 13 years, with loads of heartache as stars left and a full-scale rebuild.

On Wednesday, Oklahoma Metropolis took nothing with no consideration because the youngest crew within the NBA celebrated profitable its first trophy as a gaggle. The crew will need a lot extra heading into the Finals but additionally perceive the second.

“Nothing is promised,” a vanquished Timberwolves coach Chris Finch mentioned. “Once you’re within the second you have to go for it. They’re positioned to go for it proper now.”

The correct now could be necessary. Certainly, the Thunder really feel like they’ve a runway. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who has gotten two MVP trophies previously week, famous the youth within the crew’s core. However Finch’s phrases are significant, too.

The Thunder approached this collection with urgency. They approached the season with urgency. The best way they are going to method the Finals — with 80 wins in 98 video games this 12 months — is a certainty. — Brian Windhorst

Largest takeaways for the Thunder:

Behold the facility of the Thunder at their greatest.

It might be troublesome to be extra dominant than Oklahoma Metropolis was throughout the first half. As ordinary, it began with a swarming, smothering effort on the defensive finish. The Cancun climate will really feel good and funky after what the Thunder put the Timberwolves by means of whereas constructing a 33-point lead, forcing 14 turnovers whereas holding Minnesota to 12-of-38 capturing.

The Thunder’s trio of stars all scored in double digits by the break. Gilgeous-Alexander (20 factors, 5 assists) accounted for 32 factors within the first half, matching the Timberwolves’ complete. Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren every added 15 factors.

The second half was merely a stage setter for the Western Convention finals trophy presentation.

It will not be the final trophy the Thunder hoist this season if they’ll play at this stage throughout the Finals. — Tim MacMahon

Largest takeaways for the Timberwolves:

Minnesota was on this identical spot a 12 months in the past — trailing 3-1 within the Western Convention finals heading into Sport 5 — and the sport was over earlier than it began, with the Dallas Mavericks main 35-19 after the primary quarter.

Wednesday was someway worse.

The Wolves trailed 26-9 heading into the second quarter in Oklahoma Metropolis — it was the fewest factors in any postseason quarter in franchise historical past. Anthony Edwards scored six; the remainder of the Minnesota roster mixed to muster simply three extra on 1-for-15 capturing.

Although Minnesota did combat again from down 25 factors to beat OKC in time beyond regulation throughout the common season, this one was over by halftime. The Wolves have been down 65-32 on the break, with extra turnovers (14 — essentially the most in any half this 12 months, common season and playoffs included) than made area targets (12). When the Thunder pushed their result in 37 within the second quarter, it was the biggest deficit the Wolves confronted all season, edging the 36-point gap they discovered themselves in in opposition to the New York Knicks in December.

It was a bitter finish to a Cinderella run for Minnesota, one of many hottest groups within the league for months, which made it so far as it did because the No. 6 seed within the ultra-competitive West. From March 2 by means of the beginning of the convention finals, Minnesota went 25-6. Then, in 5 video games in opposition to the Thunder, the Wolves misplaced 4 of them, together with three at Paycom Heart by a mixed 71 factors.

If the Thunder are going to be the crew Minnesota has to get by means of to win the West for years to return — and it definitely seems that means — the Wolves have their work minimize out for them.

Their younger tandem of Edwards and Jaden McDaniels was a stage beneath the Thunder’s Gilgeous-Alexander and Williams on this collection. And with contract selections to be made on Julius Randle, Naz Reid and Nickeil Alexander-Walker this summer season, their effectiveness — or lack thereof — in opposition to Oklahoma Metropolis needs to be thought of. — Dave McMenamin

Finals Sport 1: Pacers at Thunder (June 5, 8:30 p.m. ET, ABC)

What to observe:

No matter whether or not the Indiana Pacers end off the Jap Convention finals or the New York Knicks full a comeback from down 3-1 within the collection, Oklahoma Metropolis will enter the Finals with home-court benefit and because the overwhelming favourite.

The Thunder received 17 extra video games than the Knicks and 18 greater than the Pacers, and whereas that is not definitive — each East groups have taken down 60-win groups within the convention semifinals, and the 50-win Denver Nuggets gave Oklahoma Metropolis its hardest check so far — that is an enormous head begin.

The Thunder swept each East finalists 2-0 within the common season and may have the remainder edge as a result of their collection began a day earlier. If New York can lengthen the collection, all the higher for Oklahoma Metropolis, which did not should push exhausting within the convention finals due to repeated blowouts (together with the Timberwolves’ lone win).

Gilgeous-Alexander was the one Thunder participant to common greater than 34 minutes in opposition to Minnesota. Against this, three Pacers and 5 Knicks have topped that mark up to now in an East collection crammed with shut video games, together with time beyond regulation in Sport 1.

Lastly, there’s the historical past at stake for Oklahoma Metropolis, in search of its first title for the reason that franchise moved from Seattle in 2008. Gilgeous-Alexander may turn out to be the primary MVP to win the title since Stephen Curry for the 2014-15 Golden State Warriors. No participant has received MVP of each the common season and the Finals since LeBron James went back-to-back with the Miami Heat in 2011-12 and 2012-13. — Kevin Pelton