Oklahoma City is in the NBA Finals. Indiana could join the Thunder there on Saturday night.
The Pacers play host to the New York Knicks in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference finals. If the Pacers win, they're headed to Oklahoma City. If the Knicks win, there will be a Game 7 at Madison Square Garden on Monday night.
The Knicks controlled virtually the entire game on Thursday night to beat the Pacers 111-94 in Game 5 and get within 3-2 in the East title series.
Game 1 of the finals is Thursday in Oklahoma City.
The Knicks became the eighth team to win a game when facing elimination this season.
Houston and Denver both successfully fended off elimination twice before seeing their seasons end. Detroit, Golden State, the Los Angeles Clippers, Boston, Oklahoma City and now New York all have done so once.
Indiana is the only team that has yet to play a win-or-else game in these playoffs.
Teams are 10-13 so far in win-or-else games this postseason.
A recap of Oklahoma City's Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's winning of the NBA MVP award.
The story: Gilgeous-Alexander tops Jokic for MVP award
The reaction: SGA tears up when talking about his wife
Steve Nash speaks: Canada's 1st MVP thrilled to see SGA follow him
The notebook: Jokic finishes top-2 for 5th straight year, Giannis' streak ends, LeBron gets votes
8 p.m. EDT — New York at Indiana (TNT)
8 p.m. EDT — Indiana at New York (TNT), if necessary
Oklahoma City (-750) is an even bigger favorite now to win the NBA title, according to BetMGM Sportsbook. Indiana (+700) remains the second choice, followed by New York (+1500).
The Pacers are a 3.5-point favorite over New York on Saturday.
East (all 8 p.m. EDT) — Game 1, Indiana 138, New York 135, OT; Game 2, Indiana 114, New York 109; Game 3, New York 106, Indiana 100; Game 4, Indiana 130, New York 121; Game 5, New York 111, Indiana 94; Game 6 at Indiana on Saturday; Game 7 at New York on Monday.
West — Game 1, Oklahoma City 114, Minnesota 88; Game 2, Oklahoma City 118, Minnesota 103; Game 3, Minnesota 143, Oklahoma City 101; Game 4, Oklahoma City 128, Minnesota 126; Game 5, Oklahoma City 124, Minnesota 94.
June 5 — Game 1, at Oklahoma City, 8:30 p.m. EDT
June 8 — Game 2, at Oklahoma City, 8 p.m. EDT
June 11 — Game 3, at Indiana or New York, 8:30 p.m. EDT
June 13 — Game 4, at Indiana or New York, 8:30 p.m. EDT
June 16 — Game 5, at Oklahoma City, if necessary, 8:30 p.m. EDT
June 19 — Game 6, at Indiana or New York, if necessary, 8:30 p.m. EDT
June 22 — Game 7, at Oklahoma City, if necessary, 8 p.m. EDT
(And good news: No NBA Finals games conflict with Stanley Cup Final dates!)
The All-NBA team had Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Nikola Jokic, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Jayson Tatum and Donovan Mitchell on the first team, and LeBron James — at 40 years old — making an All-NBA team for the 21st time.
Other awards this season:
— The All-Defensive team
— Shai Gilgeous-Alexander won the MVP award.
— Stephon Castle was a unanimous All-Rookie team selection.
— Oklahoma City's Sam Presti won executive of the year.
— Cleveland's Kenny Atkinson won coach of the year.
— Boston's Jrue Holiday won the social justice award and the sportsmanship award.
— Atlanta’s Dyson Daniels won most improved player.
— San Antonio's Stephon Castle won rookie of the year.
— Golden State's Stephen Curry won the Twyman-Stokes teammate of the year award.
— Golden State's Draymond Green won the hustle award.
— Cleveland’s Evan Mobley won defensive player of the year.
— New York's Jalen Brunson won clutch player of the year.
— Boston's Payton Pritchard won sixth man of the year.
The highest-scoring games by players so far in this year's playoffs:
48 — Donovan Mitchell, Cleveland vs. Indiana, May 6
44 — Nikola Jokic, Denver at Oklahoma City, May 13
43 — Donovan Mitchell, Cleveland vs. Indiana, May 9
43 — Jamal Murray, Denver vs. LA Clippers, April 29
43 — Anthony Edwards, Minnesota vs. LA Lakers, April 27
43 — Jalen Brunson, New York vs. Indiana, May 21
42 — Jayson Tatum, Boston at New York, May 12
42 — Nikola Jokic, Denver at Oklahoma City, May 5
40 — Jalen Brunson, New York at Detroit, May 1
40 — Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City at Minnesota, May 26
39 — Jalen Brunson, New York vs. Boston, May 12
39 — Kawhi Leonard, LA Clippers at Denver, April 21
39 — Pascal Siakam, Indiana at New York, May 23
Monday — Last possible date for Game 7 of Eastern Conference finals.
June 5 — Game 1, NBA Finals. (Other games: June 8, June 11, June 13, June 16, June 19 and Game 7, if necessary, will be June 22.)
June 25 — NBA draft, first round.
June 26 — NBA draft, second round.
Dallas had 1.8% odds to win the No. 1 pick in the draft lottery — but overcame those odds and now has the opportunity to draft Cooper Flagg. The Mavericks won the lottery last Monday night in Chicago.
— Flagg, just a kid from Maine, hasn't forgotten his roots
— From Rutgers to the lottery for Harper, Bailey
— A Chinese teen is a draft hopeful, and has big shoes to fill
— Mavs win lottery
— Rick Welts has seen this before
The Knicks — again — added to the list in Game 3 of the East finals.
There have been six wins by teams that trailed by 20 points or more so far in these playoffs. That's the most in any postseason during the play-by-play era, which started with the 1997 playoffs.
The biggest deficits that were successfully overcome:
29 — Oklahoma City at Memphis, April 24 (Thunder won 114-108)
20 — Indiana vs. Milwaukee, April 29 (Pacers won 119-118)
20 — New York at Boston, May 5 (Knicks won 108-105)
20 — Indiana at Cleveland, May 6 (Pacers won 120-119)
20 — New York at Boston, May 7 (Knicks won 91-90)
20 — New York at Indiana, May 25 (Knicks won 106-100)
Indiana has pulled off three last-minute rallies from at least seven points down to win in these playoffs:
— April 29: Trailed Milwaukee 118-111 with 34.6 seconds left in overtime, won 119-118.
— May 6: Trailed Cleveland 119-112 with 48 seconds left, won 120-119.
— May 21: Trailed New York 121-112 with 51.1 seconds left in regulation, won 138-135 in overtime.
— Jalen Brunson is two 3-pointers away from 100 in his Knicks playoff career. He'll be the second Knicks player to reach that mark (John Starks, 175).
— Myles Turner enters Saturday with 116 career playoff blocks. That's third in Pacers playoff history (in their NBA era, anyway); he's four behind leader Jermaine O'Neal and three behind Dale Davis.
— Game 6 of the East finals will be New York's 100th game of the season. It will mark only the third time in Knicks history that the team plays 100 games in a season (107 in 1993-94, 101 in 1969-70).
"Our backs are against the wall. I wasn’t thinking, ‘I need to play better than him.’ I was just thinking, ‘I need to help my team win.’ And that's my mindset every time I'm on the court.” — Knicks guard Jalen Brunson, asked about going up against Indiana's Tyrese Haliburton.
AP NBA: https://apnews.com/nba
Ben Stiller, right, reacts during the fourth quarter of Game 5 of the NBA basketball Eastern Conference finals between the New York Knicks and the Indiana Pacers, Thursday, May 29, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
Timothee Chalamet, left, and Kylie Jenner watch play between the New York Knicks and the Indiana Pacers during the fourth quarter of Game 5 of the NBA basketball Eastern Conference finals, Thursday, May 29, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
New York Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) scores against the Indiana Pacers during the fourth quarter of Game 5 of the NBA basketball Eastern Conference final, Thursday, May 29, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
New York Knicks guard Josh Hart (3) looks up from the floor after his sixth foul during the second half of Game 4 of the Eastern Conference finals of the NBA basketball playoffs against the Indiana Pacers in Indianapolis, Tuesday, May 27, 2025. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton (0) celebrates the team's win after Game 4 of the Eastern Conference finals of the NBA basketball playoffs against the New York Knicks in Indianapolis, Tuesday, May 27, 2025. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Oklahoma City Thunder forward Jalen Williams reacts in front of fans during the second half of Game 4 of the Western Conference finals of the NBA basketball playoffs against the Minnesota Timberwolves Monday, May 26, 2025, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Matt Krohn)
Oklahoma City Thunder forward Chet Holmgren (7) dunks next to Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards (5) and center Naz Reid (11) during the second half of Game 4 of the Western Conference finals of the NBA basketball playoffs, Monday, May 26, 2025, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)
New York Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) reacts after scoring against the Indiana Pacers during the second half of Game 3 of the Eastern Conference finals of the NBA basketball playoffs Sunday, May 25, 2025, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson (11), center Mitchell Robinson (23), center Karl-Anthony Towns (32), forward Mikal Bridges (25) and teammates celebrate after Game 3 of the Eastern Conference finals of the NBA basketball playoffs against the Indiana Pacers Sunday, May 25, 2025, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards leaves the court after winning Game 3 of the Western Conference finals of the NBA basketball playoffs against the Oklahoma City Thunder, Saturday, May 24, 2025, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)
Minnesota Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert (27) dunks against the Oklahoma City Thunder during the second half of Game 3 of the Western Conference finals of the NBA basketball playoffs, Saturday, May 24, 2025, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)
Oklahoma City Thunder players react from the bench during the second half of Game 3 of the Western Conference finals of the NBA basketball playoffs against the Minnesota Timberwolves, Saturday, May 24, 2025, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Matt Krohn)
Indiana Pacers forward Pascal Siakam (43) reacts during the third quarter of Game 2 of the NBA basketball Eastern Conference final against the New York Knicks, Friday, May 23, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
From left, Tracy Morgan, Bill Murray, third from left, Michael J. Fox, Ben Stiller, second from right, and Timothee Chalamet watch play between the New York Knicks and the Indiana Pacers during the first quarter of Game 2 of the NBA basketball Eastern Conference final, Friday, May 23, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander hoists the Michael Jordan Most Valuable Player trophy prior to Game 2 of an NBA basketball Western Conference Finals playoff series between against the Minnesota Timberwolves Thursday, May 22, 2025, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Nate Billings)
NBA commissioner Adam Silver, left, presents the Michael Jordan Most Valuable Player trophy to Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander prior to Game 2 of an NBA basketball Western Conference Finals playoff series between against the Minnesota Timberwolves Thursday, May 22, 2025, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Nate Billings)
Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander dribbles the ball up court against Minnesota Timberwolves during the second half of Game 1 of an NBA basketball Western Conference Finals playoff series Tuesday, May 20, 2025, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Nate Billings)
Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton (0) steps on the 3-point line as he shoots a 2-point shot against the New York Knicks to tie the score at the end of regulation in Game 1 of the NBA basketball Eastern Conference final, Wednesday, May 21, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton (0) is mobbed by teammates as he makes a choking motion after hitting a shot against the New York Knicks at the end of regulation to tie Game 1 of the NBA basketball Eastern Conference final, Wednesday, May 21, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton (0) shoots a 2-point shot against New York Knicks center Mitchell Robinson (23) to tie the score at the end of regulation in Game 1 of the NBA basketball Eastern Conference final, Wednesday, May 21, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton (0) makes a choke motion towards the New York Knicks after hitting a shot at the end of the fourth quarter of Game 1 of the NBA basketball Eastern Conference final, Wednesday, May 21, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
Minnesota Timberwolves head coach Chris Finch gestures to his team during the first half of Game 4 in the Western Conference semifinals of the NBA basketball playoffs against the Golden State Warriors, Monday, May 12, 2025, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Jed Jacobsohn)
Oklahoma City Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault, right, directs his team as center Isaiah Hartenstein, left, looks down the court in the first half of Game 4 in the Western Conference semifinals of the NBA basketball playoffs against the Denver Nuggets, Sunday, May 11, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
New York Knicks head coach Tom Thibodeau calls to his players during the first half of Game 5 of an NBA basketball second-round playoff series against the Boston Celtics, Wednesday, May 14, 2025, in Boston. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
Indiana Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle claps during the second half in Game 5 of an Eastern Conference semifinal NBA basketball playoff against the Cleveland Cavaliers, Tuesday, May 13, 2025, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
New York Knicks' Jalen Brunson (11) gestures to fans during the second half of Game 6 in the Eastern Conference semifinals of the NBA basketball playoffs against the Boston Celtics Friday, May 16, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
New York Knicks' OG Anunoby (8) celebrates after making a three-point shot during the second half of Game 6 in the Eastern Conference semifinals of the NBA basketball playoffs against the Boston Celtics Friday, May 16, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
Fans watch the New York Knicks celebrate after Game 6 in the Eastern Conference semifinals of the NBA basketball playoffs against the Boston Celtics Friday, May 16, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
Fans cheer as Oklahoma City Thunder's Luguentz Dort celebrates sinking a three-pointer in the second half of Game 5 of an NBA basketball second-round playoff series against the Denver Nuggets Tuesday, May 13, 2025, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Nate Billings)
Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton, left, celebrates along with forward Pascal Siakam after scoring during the second half in Game 5 of an Eastern Conference semifinal NBA basketball playoff against the Cleveland Cavaliers, Tuesday, May 13, 2025, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
Oklahoma City Thunder guard Alex Caruso reacts after being called for a foul late in the second half of Game 4 in the Western Conference semifinals of the NBA basketball playoffs against the Denver Nuggets Sunday, May 11, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton (0) celebrates in the first half of Game 4 against the Cleveland Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference semifinals of the NBA basketball playoffs in Indianapolis, Sunday, May 11, 2025. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Draymond Green (23) and Jonathan Kuminga (00) reacts to a foul call while guarding Anthony Edwards (5) in the first half as the Golden State Warriors played the Minnesota Timberwolves in Game 3 of the Conference Semifinals of the NBA Playoffs at Chase Center in San Francisco., on Saturday, May 10, 2025. (Carlos Avila Gonzalez/San Francisco Chronicle via AP)
Spike Lee reacts during the second half of Game 3 of an NBA basketball second-round playoff series between the New York Knicks and the Boston Celtics, Saturday, May 10, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Pamela Smith)
Cleveland Cavaliers guard Max Strus (1) celebrates a three point basket during the second half of Game 3 in the Eastern Conference semifinals of the NBA basketball playoffs against the Indiana Pacers in Indianapolis, Friday, May 9, 2025. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Indiana Pacers forward Pascal Siakam (43) loses the ball as he is defended by Cleveland Cavaliers center Jarrett Allen, right, during the second half of Game 3 in the Eastern Conference semifinals of the NBA basketball playoffs in Indianapolis, Friday, May 9, 2025. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Denver Nuggets guard Russell Westbrook applauds as time runs out in overtime of Game 3 in the Western Conference semifinals of the NBA basketball playoffs against the Oklahoma City Thunder Friday, May 9, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Denver Nuggets forward Aaron Gordon, back, celebrates after making a basket with forward Michael Porter Jr. in overtime of Game 3 in the Western Conference semifinals of the NBA basketball playoffs against the Oklahoma City Thunder Friday, May 9, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Minnesota Timberwolves forward Jaden McDaniels (3) goes up for a dunk during the second half of Game 2 of an NBA basketball second-round playoff series against the Golden State Warriors, Thursday, May 8, 2025, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)
Golden State Warriors forward Trayce Jackson-Davis (32) goes up for a dunk as Minnesota Timberwolves center Naz Reid (11), back, defends during the second half of Game 2 of an NBA basketball second-round playoff series, Thursday, May 8, 2025, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)
Golden State Warriors' Pat Spencer (61) goes head over heals on an offensive charge after colliding with Minnesota Timberwolves' Terrance Shannon (00) in the second half of Game 1 of an NBA basketball second-round playoff series, Tuesday, May 6, 2025, in Minneapolis. (Carlos Avila Gonzalez/San Francisco Chronicle via AP)
Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton, center, shoots between Cleveland Cavaliers guard Max Strus (1) and forward Isaac Okoro (35) in the second half during Game 2 in the Eastern Conference semifinals of the NBA basketball playoffs Tuesday, May 6, 2025, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson celebrates after hitting a 3-point basket against the Boston Celtics during Game 1 of an NBA basketball second-round playoff series Monday, May 5, 2025, in Boston. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
Oklahoma City Thunder guard Luguentz Dort (5) takes an elbow to the back of the head from Denver Nuggets' Nikola Jokic (15) in the second half of Game 1 of an NBA basketball second-round playoff series Monday, May 5, 2025, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Nate Billings)
Indiana Pacers' Tyrese Haliburton (0) goes to the basket in front of Cleveland Cavaliers' Dean Wade (32) in the first half of Game 1 in the Eastern Conference semifinals of the NBA basketball playoffs Sunday, May 4, 2025, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
Golden State Warriors' Stephen Curry (30) celebrates after Game 7 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series against the Houston Rockets Sunday, May 4, 2025, in Houston. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray (27) gestures after making a basket against the Los Angeles Clippers in the second half of Game 7 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series Saturday, May 3, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
From left to right, Los Angeles Clippers guard Bogdan Bogdanovic, forward Kawhi Leonard and guard Ben Simmons look on as time runs out in Game 7 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series against the Denver Nuggets,Saturday, May 3, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Houston Rockets forward Amen Thompson has his shot blocked by Golden State Warriors forward Braxton Key (12) during the second half of Game 5 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series, Wednesday, April 30, 2024, in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Denver Nuggets forward Aaron Gordon shoots during the second half in Game 6 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series against the Los Angeles Clippers, Thursday, May 1, 2025, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry, left, takes the ball away from Houston Rockets forward Dillon Brooks during the first half of Game 6 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series Friday, May 2, 2025, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)
On his three-point attempt, Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) is fouled by Houston Rockets forward Tari Eason (17) in the third quarter of Game 6 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series Friday, May 2, 2025, in San Francisco. (Santiago Mejia/San Francisco Chronicle via AP)
Minnesota Timberwolves co-owner Alex Rodriguez, left, questions a non call as Los Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves looks on during the second half in Game 5 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series Wednesday, April 30, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry watches from the bench during the second half of Game 5 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series against the Houston Rockets, Wednesday, April 30, 2025, in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Boston Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla encourages his players during the first half in Game 4 of a first-round NBA basketball playoff series against the Orlando Magic, Sunday, April 27, 2025, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
Detroit Pistons head coach J.B. Bickerstaff, center, tries to argue a non-call after the New York Knicks won Game 4 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series in Detroit, Sunday, April 27, 2025. (David Guralnick/Detroit News via AP)
Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards (5) celebrates after making a 3-point shot during the second half of Game 4 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series against the Los Angeles Lakers, Sunday, April 27, 2025, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)
Indiana Pacers' Myles Turner (33) reacts after dunking over Milwaukee Bucks' Giannis Antetokounmpo during the second half of Game 4 of a first-round NBA basketball playoff series Sunday, April 27, 2025, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Jeffrey Phelps)
Cleveland Cavaliers forward Evan Mobley (4) scores against the Miami Heat during the second half in Game 3 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series, Saturday, April 26, 2025, in Miami. (AP Photo/Michael Laughlin)
Oklahoma City Thunder forward Jalen Williams (8) shoots the ball past Memphis Grizzlies guard Desmond Bane (22) during the first half in Game 4 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series Saturday, April 26, 2025, in Memphis, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
Denver Nuggets forward Aaron Gordon, bottom, and Los Angeles Clippers center Ivica Zubac (40) reach for a rebound during the first half in Game 3 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series Thursday, April 24, 2025, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) celebrates after making a 3-point basket during the second half of Game 3 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series against the Houston Rockets in San Francisco, Saturday, April 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)
Milwaukee Bucks forward Bobby Portis reacts after scoring a basket during the second half in Game 3 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series against the Indiana Pacers, Friday, April 25, 2025, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards (5) gestures after making a 3-point shot during the second half of Game 3 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series against the Los Angeles Lakers, Friday, April 25, 2025, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)
Orlando Magic forward Paolo Banchero celebrates a 3-point shot against the Boston Celtics during the first half in game 3 of a first-round NBA playoff basketball series,, Friday, April 25, 2025, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
Chris Paul, right, gestures as Bob Iger looks on during the first half in Game 3 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series between the Los Angeles Clippers and the Denver Nuggets, Thursday, April 24, 2025, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic, center, shoots as Los Angeles Clippers guard Bogdan Bogdanovic, left, and center Ivica Zubac defend during the second half in Game 3 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series Thursday, April 24, 2025, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
New York Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) celebrates with teammates during the first half of Game 3 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series against the Detroit Pistons, Thursday, April 24, 2025, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)
Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant looks on from the bench in the first half of Game 3 of an NBA first-round playoff series against the Oklahoma City Thunder, Thursday, April 24, 2025, in Memphis, Tenn. (AP Photo/Brandon Dill)
Oklahoma City Thunder forward Chet Holmgren dunks during the second half in Game 1 of an NBA first-round playoff series against the Memphis Grizzlies, Tuesday, April 22, 2025, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Kyle Phillips)
Indiana Pacers forward Pascal Siakam (43) celebrates after a basket against the Milwaukee Bucks during the second half of a first-round NBA basketball playoff game in Indianapolis, Tuesday, April 22, 2025. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (77) goes to the basket against Minnesota Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert (27) and forward Jaden McDaniels (3) during the second half of Game 2 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff in Los Angeles, Tuesday, April 22, 2025. (AP Photo/Eric Thayer)
Memphis Grizzlies interim coach Tuomas Iisalo looks up during the first half in Game 1 of an NBA first-round playoff series against the Oklahoma City Thunder, Sunday, April 20, 2025, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Nate Billings)
Boston Celtics' Jaylen Brown leaves the court after defeating the Orlando Magic in game 1 of a first-round NBA playoff basketball series Sunday, April 20, 2025, in Boston. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)
Cleveland Cavaliers guard Ty Jerome (2) celebrates in front of teammate Sam Merrill in the second half in Game 1 of an NBA first-round playoff series against the Miami Heat, Sunday, April 20, 2025, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
Golden State Warriors forward Jimmy Butler III (10) dunks during the second half of Game 1 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series against the Houston Rockets in Houston, Sunday, April 20, 2025. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
New York Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns hugs his dad, Karl Towns, Sr., following Game 1 in an NBA basketball first-round playoff series against the Detroit Pistons, Saturday, April 19, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)
Indiana Pacers' Andrew Nembhard (2) celebrates after making a 3-point basket during the first half of a first-round NBA basketball playoff game against the Milwaukee Bucks, Saturday, April 19, 2025, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray gestures to the crowd after hitting a 3-point basket against the Los Angeles Clippers in the second half of Game 1 of an NBA first-round playoff series Saturday, April 19, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Alex Rodriguez, co-owner, of the Minnesota Timberwolves, claps during the second half in Game 1 of an NBA first-round playoff series Los Angeles Lakers, Saturday, April 19, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Los Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves, left, and forward LeBron James celebrate at the bench during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Houston Rockets Friday, April 11, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Fans react as Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) celebrates after making a 3-point basket during the second half of an NBA play-in tournament basketball game against the Memphis Grizzlies in San Francisco, Tuesday, April 15, 2025. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)
Miami Heat guard Tyler Herro (14) fights for the ball in overtime of an NBA play-in tournament basketball game against the Atlanta Hawks, Friday, April 18, 2025, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
Los Angeles Lakers' Luka Doncic sits on the bench looking up at a video that was played in the arena as a tribute to the former Mavericks player before an NBA basketball game against the Dallas Mavericks in Dallas, Wednesday, April 9, 2025. (AP Photo/LM Otero)
