Official 2025 NBA Playoffs Thread

[mudyez]

Shit I somehow get '11 flashbacks.

[LeBowen]

Pacers have to lose a close game, tbh.

[mudyez]

Lol, that was a 1 vs 5 rebound

[mudyez]

Pacers have to lose a close game, tbh.

Not sure that's possible for them. May find out.

[mudyez]

German broadcasting team is telling OKC to make Lu Dort shoot 3s now.

Yeah!

[ace3g]

3:52 - 4th





1
2
3
4
T


OKC
34
23
23
17
97


IND
35
25
27
13
100

[ace3g]

2:55 - 4th





1
2
3
4
T


OKC
34
23
23
22
102


IND
35
25
27
16
103

[ace3g]

2:21 - 4th





1
2
3
4
T


OKC
34
23
23
24
104


IND
35
25
27
16
103

[mudyez]

SGA avoiding Nembhard and going off against Nesmith...with Brunson it was exactly the opposite

[timtonymanu]

MVP taking over

[scott]

Absurd that SGA is allowed to throw a forearm shiver into his defenders chest. Wyd NBA?

[mudyez]

Btw: Travel

[LeBowen]

Absurd that SGA is allowed to throw a forearm shiver into his defenders chest. Wyd NBA?

Entertainment, not sport.

Pacers had to kill the game, but failed.

[mudyez]

Shit

[ace3g]

44.0 - 4th





1
2
3
4
T


OKC
34
23
23
26
106


IND
35
25
27
16
103

[timtonymanu]

OKC in 6. Indy will come back down to earth the rest of this series unfortunately.

[skin27]

Pacers out of lucky shots now

[Uriel]

OKC in 6, unfortunately. Pacers were so close to pulling off the upset. But damn.

[ace3g]

Mathurin looked scared on those FTs...

[LeBowen]

As I said, they have to lose a close one.
Refs gave Thunder a push, but Pacers didn't help themselves.

[timtonymanu]

Spurs front office looking at these finals and thinking “yeah we can compete with our friendship crew.”

[ace3g]

3 misses in a row for Mathurin...

[mudyez]

Little known fact: Ben Mathurin was a big Nick Anderson fan back in the days.

[TheBallsbreakers]

Damn

[Robz4000]

OKC in 7 tbh.

[Obstructed_View]

Lol Mathurin giving it away by himself.

[ace3g]

Final





1
2
3
4
T


OKC
34
23
23
31
111


IND
35
25
27
17
104

[mudyez]

Feels more like the Pacers lost the game than OKC grabbing it. Pacers offense stagnated for 3 minutes and thats it. Very uncommon for them.

[Spurs Homer]

Nesmith looks like Blake Wesley the way Carlisle looks like Jim Carrey.

mathurin looks like byron scott…for those old enougn to remember him…

[Spurs Homer]

Nah…

pacers have a solid head coach and he will understand how to keep these young pacers stable…

no time to panic…it will be almost impossible to beat the refs and okc at okc…but carlisle will remind the pacers how they had okc on their heels and looked tired and almost gave up…

pacers will keep pushing…its how they excel…they are going to finally wear down these frontrunners even if they have to go 7

[Spurs Homer]

Nah…

pacers have a solid head coach and he will understand how to keep these young pacers stable…

no time to panic…it will be almost impossible to beat the refs and okc at okc…but carlisle will remind the pacers how they had okc on their heels and looked tired and almost gave up…

pacers will keep pushing…its how they excel…they are going to finally wear down these frontrunners even if they have to go 7

[Dod01]

Figured OKC would take this one. OKCRef with 38 FTs but PacerRef still no slouch as well with 33FTs.

[RC_Drunkford]

Pacers choked this away playing hero ball and missing freethrows in the last 2 minutes

[Robz4000]

FT differential doesn't begin to tell the story of how the refs controlled this game tbh. That being said, Indy lost this game by forgetting to attack the basket from late in the third quarter on.

[RC_Drunkford]

1933725329442681000

1933756205899420044

[R. DeMurre]

Have to say, I feel sorry for all of the casuals who are stuck talking about small markets, ratings, absence of well known superstar names, etc...

It's a great finals with tons of quality and drama, and anyone who isn't enjoying it as a true basketball fan is really missing out.

[daslicer]

Have to say, I feel sorry for all of the casuals who are stuck talking about small markets, ratings, absence of well known superstar names, etc...

It's a great finals with tons of quality and drama, and anyone who isn't enjoying it as a true basketball fan is really missing out.

I agree 3 out of the 4 games have been super competitive.

[heyheymymy]

I kinda tried to like SGA but then I realized I didn't

[KobesAchilles]

Have to say, I feel sorry for all of the casuals who are stuck talking about small markets, ratings, absence of well known superstar names, etc...

It's a great finals with tons of quality and drama, and anyone who isn't enjoying it as a true basketball fan is really missing out.
tbh refs ruined the game for me. I tried watching it but man with flops and whistles like crazy every two seconds for OKC I just kinda gave up. Also SGA is like Harden to me. I can’t watch him. Pushes off, travels, and then flops like crazy. Just difficult to watch OKC play.

[spurs10]

Will likely be worse in OK with SGA's 'push offs, travels, and flops,' unless Carlisle makes a lot of noise because these refs are allowing him to do this. Yes, hard to watch.

[spurs10]

Also make Dort and Hartenstein beat you, when SGA sets a screen have a double waiting for the shooter. He was beating Nesmith. Now my backseat driving can go to bed for the night. :smokin

[poopbox]

Refs made this game almost unwatchable carrying OKC to the finish line and still it took the pacers choking in the end for okc to win it.

I had said Pacers in 5 or 6 and had it not been for company man Scott Foster I'd be on my way to being a very rich man right now. Might still be but I expect the refs to hand OKC another one at home Monday night.

[spurs10]

Carlisle defends Scott Foster and doesn't criticize him.

[Spurs Homer]

Carlisle defends Scott Foster and doesn't criticize him.

not sure that is the right move - very “pop-like” …

lets see how it pans out as im sure foster will be back for a game 6 or 7…

Okc is allowed to hack at will while pacers are kept on a short leash…very frustrating to watch…and dort and sga get at least 3 “allowed flops” per game each…

[dn0774]

Just goes to show that if your team just hacks every play the refs eventually get trained/accustomed to it and just swallow the whistle. Like Draymond with techs, he explodes all the time and the refs figure "ehh cant call all of em" and play on.

[ace3g]

Here we go.

[LeBowen]

I guess Pacers won't get a single call that's not completely blatant while OKC will keep getting a lot of soft fouls.
Much stronger teams wouldn't be able to compete like this.

[ace3g]

In games called like this, you have to try and actually finish through contact instead of just drawing the foul.

[SpursFan86]

Indiana just won’t stop shooting themselves in the foot with TOs.

[ace3g]

3:18 - 1st





1
2
3
4
T


IND
17



17


OKC
26



26

[ace3g]

End of 1st





1
2
3
4
T


IND
22



22


OKC
32



32

[CGD]

This feels like a blow out coming.

[LeBowen]

Siakam has been horrible, game over if they don't get themselves together quickly.

[ace3g]

8:09 - 2nd





1
2
3
4
T


IND
22
10


32


OKC
32
8


40

[Mugen]

RefKC tbh :lol

[ace3g]

7:14 - 2nd





1
2
3
4
T


IND
22
10


32


OKC
32
12


44

[ace3g]

2:29 - 2nd





1
2
3
4
T


IND
22
16


38


OKC
32
22


54

[Robz4000]

Thunderefs not fucking around tbh.

[ace3g]

0.0 - 2nd





1
2
3
4
T


IND
22
23


45


OKC
32
27


59

[Mugen]

Absolute must to acquire and hit on guys like Joe and Wiggins if your goal is championships. That comes from great scouting and player development. Need to do A LOT better than the recent whiffs like Branham/Wesley if this team wants to get serious in the future.

[Ariel]

Absolute must to acquire and hit on guys like Joe and Wiggins if your goal is championships. That comes from great scouting and player development. Need to do A LOT better than the recent whiffs like Branham/Wesley if this team wants to get serious in the future.
To be fair, they were swings on upside drafted in 2022 when the Spurs didn't have a single core piece. If they took them now then that'd be a different story.

[skin27]

Looks like okc will win the title

[Dex]

Looks like okc will win the title

Ain't over yet.

Pacers have come back from worse.

[RC_Drunkford]

Absolute must to acquire and hit on guys like Joe and Wiggins if your goal is championships. That comes from great scouting and player development. Need to do A LOT better than the recent whiffs like Branham/Wesley if this team wants to get serious in the future.

the majority of spurstalk would rather roll out Harrison Barnes for another year than trade for Durant...

[LeBowen]

Pacers gave it their best shot, wasn't enough.
Now they're shaken up and sinking without a trace.

[ace3g]

9:41 - 3rd





1
2
3
4
T


IND
22
23
8

53


OKC
32
27
5

64

[Robz4000]

This shit is getting unwatchable with these calls.

[ace3g]

Toppin 3

6:16 - 3rd





1
2
3
4
T


IND
22
23
17

62


OKC
32
27
12

71

[td4mvp2k]

thunderrefs heating up

[ace3g]

4:08 - 3rd





1
2
3
4
T


IND
22
23
21

66


OKC
32
27
16

75

[ace3g]

6-0 run for TJ

[ace3g]

3:09 - 3rd





1
2
3
4
T


IND
22
23
25

70


OKC
32
27
19

78

[ace3g]

1:26 - 3rd





1
2
3
4
T


IND
22
23
31

76


OKC
32
27
22

81

[Uriel]

McConnell and Toppin :clap

[ace3g]

0.0 - 3rd





1
2
3
4
T


IND
22
23
34

79


OKC
32
27
28

87

[ace3g]

Knew the Thunder were going to score after that Nembhard TO.

[Strategic]

McConnell kept Pacers in it. Now can anybody else get some shots

[ace3g]

Another Wiggins 3.

[ace3g]

10:49 - 4th





1
2
3
4
T


IND
22
23
34
3
82


OKC
32
27
28
5
92

[benefactor]

The NBA isn't letting the Pacers win. They wanted the Knicks this year just like they wanted the Knicks when Reggie was around. They will never let the Pacers have a title.

[Strategic]

It’s sad because he’s nothing special, but is there a better 6’0” player in the league right now than McConnell?

[Spurs Homer]

Ref even held the ball there to give okc a chance to challenge..

and

sga even had a foul called on a fuckin jump ball…unfuckinbelievable

[ace3g]

9:54 - 4th





1
2
3
4
T


IND
22
23
34
7
86


OKC
32
27
28
5
92

[ace3g]

9:19 - 4th





1
2
3
4
T


IND
22
23
34
10
89


OKC
32
27
28
7
94

[CGD]

The NBA isn't letting the Pacers win. They wanted the Knicks this year just like they wanted the Knicks when Reggie was around. They will never let the Pacers have a title.

Yes, they definitely want big market Oklahoma City to win it!

[ace3g]

8:04 - 4th





1
2
3
4
T


IND
22
23
34
14
93


OKC
32
27
28
11
98

[LeBowen]

What a strange game, tbh.
Pacers make it a one possession game just to give it right back.

[ace3g]

7:06 - 4th





1
2
3
4
T


IND
22
23
34
16
95


OKC
32
27
28
16
103

[ace3g]

Pacers keep giving up big 3s...

[ace3g]

6:14 - 4th





1
2
3
4
T


IND
22
23
34
18
97


OKC
32
27
28
20
107

[ace3g]

Jalen "The Glassman" Williams

[Spurs Homer]

Welp

maybe pacers can get one more at home and force game 7

[rascal]

OKC just a better team

[Uriel]

Man. Pacers got it down to 3. If they had been able to score again after that.......

[benefactor]

Meltdown tbh

[ace3g]

4:31 - 4th





1
2
3
4
T


IND
22
23
34
20
99


OKC
32
27
28
26
113

[Atl Spur]

This game is a example of why you need great ball handlers / decision makers.

[ace3g]

3:22 - 4th





1
2
3
4
T


IND
22
23
34
25
104


OKC
32
27
28
31
118

[benefactor]

Williams throwing dirt on Indy

[skin27]

Pacers collapsing like dominos.

[LeBowen]

No sympathy for the Pacers, they did this to themselves.
I have to admit I was wrong about Williams, he stepped up big time.

[ace3g]

1:50 - 4th





1
2
3
4
T


IND
22
23
34
28
107


OKC
32
27
28
33
120

[KDKSpurs24]

Nembhard single handedly stopped any type of chance Indiana had to get back in the game down the stretch.

[Robz4000]

Can't believe Carlisle didn't go back to McConnell tbh. That's some 2013 game 6 Pop shit from him.

[ace3g]

Final





1
2
3
4
T


IND
22
23
34
30
109


OKC
32
27
28
33
120

[spurraider21]

Is Jalen Williams still overrated, or…

[ginobilized]

OKC was stellar. Shai with 4 blocks. Dub with a 40 piece. One win away.
Game 6 is on my bday, as was the incredible Spurs/Pistons Game 5 back in 2005.
I think OKC pulls it off in Indiana.

[spurs10]

Without Halliburton being 100% Pacers are going to have a hard time Thursday.

[timtonymanu]

Yawn what a boring way to end these finals.

Thunder winning one should give the spurs more urgency. Don’t convince yourselves that the friendship crew is the way to go.

[spurraider21]

Pacers collapsing like dominos.
If we can hit this bullseye, the rest of the dominos will fall like a house of cards. Checkmate

[spurs10]

Halliburton didn't make a basket all game and they came within 2...then OKC turned it on.

[Ice009]

Just watched the game. Darn, Pacers really threw away a chance after cutting it close to start the 4th. Not saying they would have won, but they threw away a chance.

Lots of people called Jalen Williams a choker, overrated early on in the playoffs/around the start of the Denver series. He's stepped up since then, and even more so in these finals (especially the last three games with two of those being on the road/higher pressure, almost must win games). It's going to make OKC tougher going forward.

[Dejounte]

Yeah who the fuck was talking shit about Jalen and dooming him after one series

[LeBowen]

Yeah who the fuck was talking shit about Jalen and dooming him after one series

I was.
He's had just three great games in Nuggets and Minnesota series, which was really poor considering all the attention SGA got.
His first two games in this series were also bad if we're talking #2 option on a championship team standards.

But since G3 he figured out he's a physical specimen and can get his with ease.
I was criticizing him only because he obviously had the ability to do more and it was a mental issue for whatever reason.
Since he started playing the way he's supposed to, OKC has taken another level and the Pacers can't keep up.

[CorrectCrusader]

I was.
He's had just three great games in Nuggets and Minnesota series, which was really poor considering all the attention SGA got.
His first two games in this series were also bad if we're talking #2 option on a championship team standards.

But since G3 he figured out he's a physical specimen and can get his with ease.
I was criticizing him only because he obviously had the ability to do more and it was a mental issue for whatever reason.
Since he started playing the way he's supposed to, OKC has taken another level and the Pacers can't keep up.

He's 24 btw

[lefty]

Yeah J Dub has always been the X factor for this team

The secondary scoring he can provide is crucial when defenses key in on Shai

[lefty]

It’s sad because he’s nothing special, but is there a better 6’0” player in the league right now than McConnell?

TJ would have destroyed system PG Stockton in the 90s

[spurraider21]

Just watched the last of this game 3.

Holmgren is soft and his release point is low - blocked 3 pt shot about 2 min mark - not a player even in the same zip code as Wemby.

OKC is a team living and dying by SGA hero ball.

OKC J Williams is undersized - see missed dunk - and stats likely inflated due to playing with SGA.

If Sochan can be Toppin that works otherwise we need to change him out.

OKC role players not impressive. IND more of a team but neither team’s role players strike me as much better than ours can be. I’m not even sure I’d swap our role players for theirs - either team.

Any 48-50 win team such as IND can gel at the right time and win it all. SAS could win that many games next season. Time to go all in!
is j-dub still undersized with inflated stats?

or was i right in calling you a prisoner of the moment

[quentin_compson]

J-Dub has been very good as of late. The Pacers didn't always put up enough resistance on his drives (a side effect of having to deal with SGA, no doubt), but even on some of the better defended ones, he had some very impressive finishes at the rim. His playmaking also has been better compared to earlier in the playoffs.
Also, Chet has been a monster defensively, not just at protecting the rim but also when he has to defend in space.
I would have loved for the Pacers to push the Finals to seven games, but with Haliburton's injury concerns, it looks less and less likely to happen.

[LeBowen]

Not the start Pacers hoped for.

[ace3g]

Pacers already need to make a line change.

8:59 - 1st





1
2
3
4
T


OKC
8



8


IND
2



2

[ace3g]

6:37 - 1st





1
2
3
4
T


OKC
12



12


IND
13



13

[ace3g]

4:34 - 1st





1
2
3
4
T


OKC
17



17


IND
21



21

[LeBowen]

That's more like it.

[ace3g]

End of 1st





1
2
3
4
T


OKC
25



25


IND
28



28

[Robz4000]

Should be a 10+ Pacers lead tbh.

[ace3g]

9:28 - 2nd





1
2
3
4
T


OKC
25
6


31


IND
28
4


32

[cd98]

We need the Thunder to win this so ESPN can explode tomorrow with fake trades they want to happen.

[Robz4000]

We need the Thunder to win this so ESPN can explode tomorrow with fake trades they want to happen.

I want game 7 tbh.

[ace3g]

4:40 - 2nd





1
2
3
4
T


OKC
25
10


35


IND
28
17


45

[TheBallsbreakers]

Holmgren ain't it.

[LeBowen]

Pacers supporting cast is better, Siakam and Williams are on about equal level, it's about Carlisle trying to make up for OKC having a consistent #1 option.

[ace3g]

2:31 - 2nd





1
2
3
4
T


OKC
25
14


39


IND
28
28


56

[ace3g]

Wow, no look Hali pass to Siakam for the dunk!!!

[ace3g]

Siakam buzzer beater - halftime.

0.0 - 2nd





1
2
3
4
T


OKC
25
17


42


IND
28
36


64

[TheBallsbreakers]

Great play by Haliburton. Steal and no-look pass to Siakam for the total ownage of Williams for the flush!

[ace3g]

https://x.com/KevinOConnorNBA/status/1935877040215146724

[TheBallsbreakers]

Chet has been a total dud this game.

[ace3g]

Siakam went "Undertaker" mode before the game.

https://x.com/TheNBACentel/status/1935860834267541861

[lefty]

Pacers are fun to watch

[TheBallsbreakers]

What's up, ST? Everyone's bogged down in the Durant thread, it seems.

[spurraider21]

so hard to dislike Spicy P man. such a great #2 player.

[timtonymanu]

Good fight by the Pacers. It’s too bad OKC is so good at home though.

[ace3g]

9:05 - 3rd





1
2
3
4
T


OKC
25
17
0

42


IND
28
36
0

64

[lefty]

:lol that one OKC fan in the crowd

[TheBallsbreakers]

OKC has not scored yet and it's almost 5 minutes into the third.

[Dex]

If you're Indiana, you gotta judge when you want to pull Haliburton. Dude is playing injured, and you may have just already stamped a ticket for Game 7

[lefty]

Is PJ Carlessimo doing commentary for OKC?

[Strategic]

Pacers need to keep the lead up

[Robz4000]

Indy gonna fuck around and let the Thunderefs steal this.

[ace3g]

4:54 - 3rd





1
2
3
4
T


OKC
25
17
12

54


IND
28
36
9

73

[lefty]

Nice middy by SGA

[lefty]

4:54 - 3rd





1
2
3
4
T


OKC
25
17
12

54


IND
28
36
9

73






Good bot.

[ace3g]

3:16 - 3rd





1
2
3
4
T


OKC
25
17
15

57


IND
28
36
14

78

[ace3g]

Good bot.


Appreciate it, gives optics of what type of run/drought a team is on.

[ace3g]

1:55 - 3rd





1
2
3
4
T


OKC
25
17
15

57


IND
28
36
17

81

[Knoxxx]

SGA SUXXXXX

[ace3g]

32.5 - 3rd





1
2
3
4
T


OKC
25
17
18

60


IND
28
36
23

87

[ace3g]

Sheppard with a buzzer beater 3 to end the 3rd quarter.

End of 3rd





1
2
3
4
T


OKC
25
17
18

60


IND
28
36
26

90

[lefty]

Strong closing

[TheBallsbreakers]

Ben Sheppard beats the buzzer at the end of the 3rd with a 3.

[TheBallsbreakers]

Seems like OKC is resigned to winning the chip at home.
But that seems like a dangerous proposition with this Indy team.

[ace3g]

10:01 - 4th





1
2
3
4
T


OKC
25
17
18
5
65


IND
28
36
26
3
93

[TheBallsbreakers]

They've thrown in the towel.

[Dod01]

Figured Indiana would win this one. OKC ***SHOULD*** then win this in 7 at home.

[100%duncan]

Hopefully we avoid an OKC ring

[ace3g]

7:02 - 4th





1
2
3
4
T


OKC
25
17
18
13
73


IND
28
36
26
9
99

[ace3g]

5:29 - 4th





1
2
3
4
T


OKC
25
17
18
18
78


IND
28
36
26
10
100

[lefty]

https://x.com/artbutsports/status/1935881628116468020

[ace3g]

3:04 - 4th





1
2
3
4
T


OKC
25
17
18
22
82


IND
28
36
26
14
104

[timtonymanu]

Shit when was the last game 7 of the finals? 2016? Hope the ending is as good as that, tbh.

[Strategic]

James Johnson checks in

[ismael-robert]

Imagine if indy had their bigs...no Stewart n maybe they could've got a resurgent James Wiseman...what's ol James up to maybe we go kick the tires
Oh they lost Walker too

[Strategic]

38 years old and still pulling that shit

[lefty]

JJ doesn’t even practice anymore

was just walking on the court

[TheBallsbreakers]

James Johnson checks in
And checks out just as soon.

[lefty]

1st game 7 since 2016

[LeBowen]

OKC will probably start G7 hot and that will be the end of it.

[heyheymymy]

OKC was stellar. Shai with 4 blocks. Dub with a 40 piece. One win away.
Game 6 is on my bday, as was the incredible Spurs/Pistons Game 5 back in 2005.
I think OKC pulls it off in Indiana.

happy bday hope you had a good one

[ace3g]

Am I misreading this stat? I think I know a #20 who probably had those stats in the Finals.

https://x.com/statmuse/status/1935897711380766751

[PopTheGOAT]

https://x.com/frankiefigz/status/1935869454845419537?s=46&t=PiO-ZwQUEOdnySqTuhTh5A

[PhantomDashCam]

1935896966111936964

Prayers Up

[chubbs]

Am I misreading this stat? I think I know a #20 who probably had those stats in the Finals.

https://x.com/statmuse/status/1935897711380766751

Not off the bench

In 2005 he was a starter in the finals

[ace3g]

Not off the bench

In 2005 he was a starter in the finals

Yeah '05 was definitely out of the question.

Damn '07 had to be a sweep...

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Gt24-VIWkAAH1Nv?format=png&name=small

[Robz4000]

Thunder prolly win game 7 in a blowout but anything can happen. They aren't coming in DOA like Denver.

[Mugen]

The audacity of these Meth heads to put Chet in the same tier as Wemby tbh

[Ice009]

Is PJ Carlessimo doing commentary for OKC?

I think so. Not sure how long he's been doing it? I'm guessing he has the connection with Sam Presti from when he was hired to coach Seattle.


Yeah '05 was definitely out of the question.

Damn '07 had to be a sweep...

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Gt24-VIWkAAH1Nv?format=png&name=small

What did you use to get those stats? How do you tell which years he came off the bench?

[RC_Drunkford]

it's so wild to me that TJ McConnell is a net positive on defense at just 6'1''. His DBPM is +1.3 in the playoffs. He would be the 3rd best defender on the Spurs :lol

[Ice009]

I am happy Indiana won game 6 and forced a game 7. I hope it goes down to the wire and they can find a way to win it.

[chubbs]

The audacity of these Meth heads to put Chet in the same tier as Wemby tbh

I mean they are in the same tier of softness.

Wemby is just much more gifted and talented.

[R. DeMurre]

Very impressive what Indiana has done the last four years, winning 25, 35, 47, and 50 games, and now headed for game 7 of the finals, and they accomplished it by wheeling & dealing, not tanking, seeking out underrated role players, and without landing any top 5 picks in the draft.

[spursistan]

Finding myself rooting hard for the Pacers to win it all. They should probably be Chinook (https://www.spurstalk.com/forums/member.php?u=37557) 's favorite team outside the Spurs. They are a vindication of his view that you can still build a pseudo-contender without needing to debase your franchise in years-long process of intentional hard tanking. Pacers are historically averse to tanking: Mathurin (6th) is thei highest picked player on this roster and Rik Smits (2nd) was the highest in last 30 years back in 1988 (never won the lottery and only had two other Top 2 picks) .

It just shows you how elite GMing coupled with a top notch coach in admittedly soft conference can do the trick. It is a much better path taken than becoming the current Hornets or, until recently, the Pistons. With current lottery odds, it is extremely risky to bank on random ping pong balls going your way. The Spurs jumping up by an average of 3.33 spots from no lower than 8th in lottery for three consecutive years alongside having another Top 6 protected pick conveying out of their asses is an insane run of luck that should not register as a rebuilding strategy in any Front Office.

Even if you consider the Thunder to be slightly overrated from a historical point despite winning 68 games, that they are on the brink is a testament to the Pacers' building a roster presenting enough of problems to extend a Finals series to seven games.

[ginobilized]

happy bday hope you had a good one

Thanks!!!! Simple and great bday.
Now the draft and free agency!

[Guru of Nothing]

Must read: The Power of Friendship.

https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/45449719/windhorst-two-quotes-define-pacers-thunder-2025-nba-finals

[Dex]

Must read: The Power of Friendship.

https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/45449719/windhorst-two-quotes-define-pacers-thunder-2025-nba-finals

I know it's become a meme around here. But you look at that 2014 Spurs team and how well-bonded they all were...and they produced some of the best basketball the NBA has ever seen.

I do think there is value to a team that gets along and genuinely wants to play with (and for) each other.

[ace3g]

https://x.com/NBAPR/status/1936444172434841787

[spurs10]

OKC has been touted by many the obvious 2025 Finals winners for a while, then came the Pacers. I'm for the YES'CERS! Think there is pressure on both teams, obviously, but maybe more on OKC as they are expected to win. Hope it's a barnburner.

[lefty20]

Just hope the Refs stay in their lane for the entirety of G 7.

[barakz21]

Man, every time the site takes long to load, I find myself hoping the KD trade has finally gone down. For the Spurs or whoever, but at least we can all move on to the draft and free agency lol.

[Dex]

Man, every time the site takes long to load, I find myself hoping the KD trade has finally gone down. For the Spurs or whoever, but at least we can all move on to the draft and free agency lol.

I'd be surprised if anything gets announced before the Finals ends, and more likely Tuesday or early Wednesday (if anything is going to happen at all)

[exstatic]

Must read: The Power of Friendship.

https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/45449719/windhorst-two-quotes-define-pacers-thunder-2025-nba-finals

scott wept…

[Ice009]

https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/45449719/windhorst-two-quotes-define-pacers-thunder-2025-nba-finals
The power of calm.

"I used to be a kid that got mad and threw the ball around the court over a pickup game," he said. "My coaches taught me the older you get, the less you get away with things like that."

"To be the guy I want to be, I can't behave like that because it will translate to the rest of my team. That lesson always stuck with me. I still have [that fire], I still feel it. I just understand not to let it show, and it kind of weaponized it for myself. Showing [your emotion] gives your opponent a weapon as well."


Interesting quote from SGA. Sounds a bit Tim Duncan like.

[KobesAchilles]

Interesting quote from SGA. Sounds a bit Tim Duncan like.
I mean not much for him to whine about when he gets 11 FTA a game.

[Ice009]

I mean not much for him to whine about when he gets 11 FTA a game.

Obviously he's still a foul baiter, but that approach of his is right about not doing that (losing your cool/temper) so it doesn't rub off on the rest of his team. Foul drawing aside, that's still some decent leadership qualities.

[RC_Drunkford]

I just want OKC to lose so we can call them Chokelahoma for a year

[scott]

scott wept…

What was the gist of the article? I didn't read it (and probably won't). Did it talk about how you can overcome anything (including the inability to play basketball at a high level) if you simply believe?

[TD 21]

Seen five of these ('94 was before my time, but watched off YouTube) and they all more or less followed the same script: Team with best player + homecourt (sans '16) prevails in a "rock fight", which is what I expect here.

[ace3g]

Here we go.

[Strategic]

One game left

[ace3g]

Good start for Pacers

1. Nembhard midrange
2. Neismith block

[Strategic]

Good to see some yellow in the crowd

[ace3g]

Haliburton b2b deep 3s

[Strategic]

SGA getting his calls

[ace3g]

Another deep 3 from Haliburton.

[LeBowen]

Looks like both Haliburton and SGA have decided to show up from the start.

[ace3g]

6:58 - 1st





1
2
3
4
T


IND
14



14


OKC
10



10

[skin27]

Pacers just need to make shots and avoid mental collapse or losing composure like any other away team did on a game 7 on the road including 2013 spurs.

[Dod01]

Jesus Christ, if 68 win OKC loses game 7 of the NBA Finals to the 50 win Pacers.

[timtonymanu]

Caruso is going game 7 Shane battier on these guys

[LeBowen]

That's an achilles tear, tbh.

[ace3g]

I think Hali just tore his Achilles...

[timtonymanu]

Aww shit Hali looks done. Time to turn this off now

[skin27]

There it is injury to haliburton

[scott]

Hali done. Damn, horrible for the Pacers.

[Strategic]

Damn

[ace3g]

Your unfortunate compensatory injury.

[Dex]

Well that fucking sucks.

[exstatic]

What was the gist of the article? I didn't read it (and probably won't). Did it talk about how you can overcome anything (including the inability to play basketball at a high level) if you simply believe?

The new up and coming playoff squads including Indy and OKC are all groups of friends.

[Dod01]

Terrible luck.

[Robz4000]

Well fuck.

[Biggems]

I think Hali just tore his Achilles...

I was just about to post the same thing

[lefty]

Of fucking course…….

[LeBowen]

This sport has been ruined by all the injuries over the past decade, tbh.

[lefty]

And this why you don’t pay to watch sports :lol

[scott]

The new up and coming playoff squads including Indy and OKC are all groups of friends.

Someone in San Antonio start arranging Sci-Fi Chess nights for Wemby, Fox, Harper and Castle at Wemby's house.

[Dex]

Definitely a textbook Achilles pop

[skin27]

What a badluck for pacers

[scott]

TJ McConnel magical nut up time

[timtonymanu]

What’s even the fucking point to watch? Injuries suck.

[Biggems]

I think it is complete bullshit that SGA is allowed to push off to gain an offensive advantage all game long, but if you are defending him and barely touch him, he gets FTs.

[tbdog]

It's the Achilles. We have seen it so much now. It's the god damn Achilles. Pacers must win their season next year will be a hard one.

[lefty]

Mathurin has the BB IQ of a Trump supporter

[exstatic]

Mathurin has the BB IQ of a Trump supporter

He’s just a stone gunner. Only shoots when he’s awake.

[ace3g]

1:17 - 1st





1
2
3
4
T


IND
20



20


OKC
22



22

[scott]

What’s even the fucking point to watch? Injuries suck.

IND is still pretty good. In a single game, they can still pull this off...

[R. DeMurre]

If Indy somehow finds a way to win now, it'll go down as an all time great game 7.

[lefty]

If Indy somehow finds a way to win now, it'll go down as an all time great game 7.
That would be awesome no doubt

But even better with Hali as he was having a historic playoff run and off to a great start tonight

[ace3g]

End of 1st





1
2
3
4
T


IND
22



22


OKC
25



25

[lefty]

TJ with 2 b2b turrible TO’s

[scott]

OKC will an all-time historic whistle for a small market club. Truly generational.