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These Eastern Conference Finals have come down to which team wins with the fourth quarter run.
Both the New York Knicks and the Indiana Pacers have gotten within a round of the NBA Finals due to crunch-time heroics, whether it was the Knicks' consistent ability to cap off 20-point comebacks or the Pacers stabbing a team in the heart by erasing insurmountable-looking leads in seconds.
We've gotten all of the clutch chaos we could have asked for through four games, with the Pacers getting the series started on another whirlwind win to steal Game 1 before the Knicks returned a punch with one of their token lead erasures, the third-such time they've stormed back from such a deficit in these playoffs.
They looked posed to do it again when the Pacers took a 111-96 lead into the final 10 minutes of Game 4, except we were met with no sudden momentum from the Knicks. The Pacers couldn't quite put them away for some time, allowing the lead to shrink to as little as six before NEw York eventually ran out of time.
They lacked that two-way intensity they once demonstrated down the stretch of some tight games against the Boston Celtics in advancing past the second round, and it showed in their postgame comments.
some truly alarming comments from the Knicks after the loss last night:
— Tommy Beer (@TommyBeer) May 28, 2025
KAT: “We didn’t match their pace and their inspiration, too. We just didn’t match what they came to do tonight to start the game."
Mitch Rob: “They played with more intensity. We should’ve matched it.”…
Everyone, from their key on-court contributors to their head coach, cited their missing intensity and focus, confirming that they picked an inconceivable time to come out passive.
It's not like the Pacers were sitting ducks, either; Tyrese Haliburton's 32-point triple-double with 15 assists and no turnovers registered as his best game in the midst of an all-time playoff run, and his aggression was evident in his every move.
While he recognized the importance of going up 3-1 in winning the first home game of the series, the Knicks looked lethargic. Their defense looked out-of-order while Indiana stopper Aaron Nesmith shut down Jalen Brunson, Mikal Bridges reverted into a pumpkin in soaking up all of the shots in the clutch and the Pacers ended up taking a near-double-digit lead into the close.
They now sit one game away from their first NBA Finals appearance in 25 years and a date with the Oklahoma City Thunder, while the Knicks have to pull off a stunner of stunners to have another chance at advancing.
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Analyst Believes Kings Will Trade Star Player if They Land Warriors' Young Forward in Free Agency
Which former player will the Warriors reunite with?
The Golden State Warriors are the only NBA team not to make a free-agent signing or trade this summer. They've got their eye on some familiar faces when they finally do make moves. While the Warriors haven't made any moves thanks to the uncertainty surrounding Jonathan Kuminga's restricted free agency, they have targeted certain players for when their young forward's situation finds a resolution. Al Horford is widely believed to be headed to Golden State, while the team is also expected to bring back 27-year-old guard De'Anthony Melton, who tore his ACL playing for the Dubs in November. That's not the only reunion that GM Mike Dunleavy and the Warriors are considering. According to ESPN's Anthony Slater, the team and Seth Curry have "mutual interest" in the sharpshooting guard joining his brother on the Warriors. While he never played for the NBA team, Curry spent his first professional season as a member of the G League Santa Cruz Warriors. At the time, the Santa Cruz backcourt featured the younger Curry and Klay Thompson's older brother, Mychel Thompson. Seth Curry played 68 games for his hometown Charlotte Hornets last season, averaging 6.5 points while shooting 45.6 percent on three-pointers. The Warriors were only 16th in the NBA last season in three-point percentage (36.4 percent), even though they attempted the second-most threes and employ Curry's brother, the most prolific three-point shooter in NBA history. The Warriors roster sits at nine players right now. They can expect three of those spots to go to Horford, Melton and Kuminga — or a player coming back in a trade for Kuminga. That leaves one spot under the 13-player minimum, which could go for offense with Seth Curry. Or, they could go for a more defensive-minded reunion. Gary Payton II remains unsigned, after a season where he made $9.1M while playing 62 games, starting 11. He averaged the same 6.5 points Seth Curry did, but shot 32.4 percent on threes. Of course, Payton is still considered an excellent defender, though he's slowing down at age 32, something that's never been said about the younger Curry. The resolution to the Warriors' offseason of uncertainty likely lies in players coming back. The Warriors still believe they can offer Kuminga the most money, even if he's unhappy with his role on the team. Melton seems like a lock to return. The final piece may depend on which flawed former player the team wants to bring back to the organization.
LA Lakers have inside track to sign 2x All-Star in new buyout deal, it would complete their roster
Steelers reporter shares big claim about how Aaron Rodgers has looked in training camp
Quarterback Aaron Rodgers spent the bulk of the spring as an unsigned free agent and, thus, only began officially practicing with Pittsburgh Steelers teammates during the team's three-day mandatory minicamp in June. During a Monday appearance on Pittsburgh radio station 102.5 WDVE, Steelers reporter Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette addressed how Rodgers looked during his first few training camp practices with the club. "His release is just astonishing to watch," Dulac said about Rodgers, as shared by Ross McCorkle of Steelers Depot. "Everybody knows about it, and when you see it in person, you see it every day in practice, you just marvel at it. To me, he's the greatest thrower of the football I have ever seen, even at 41 (years old). That flick of that wrist and that ball comes out, it's moving and it is something to see." Rodgers was with the New York Jets when he suffered a torn Achilles four offensive snaps into the 2023 regular-season opener. He was then slowed by a nagging hip issue, injuries to both his knees, a low ankle sprain and a serious hamstring problem as the 2024 Jets went 5-12. According to Pro Football Reference, Rodgers finished last season ranked 28th in the NFL among qualified players with a 48.0 adjusted QBR and 26th with a 43.9 percent passing success rate. That said, he was also eighth with 3,897 passing yards and tied for seventh with 28 passing touchdowns. Rodgers and Jets wide receiver Garrett Wilson endured some struggles during training camp sessions last summer before the two allegedly "never saw eye-to-eye" during the season. It sounds like Pittsburgh fans should be encouraged by how Rodgers performed in recent practices. "That guy can get rid of the ball as quick as anybody," Dulac added. "He made three throws in seven-on-seven (drills) the other day that the cumulative total I bet couldn't have exceeded 2.1 seconds. And two of those were for touchdowns." Rodgers wants to finish his career "the right way" and help the Steelers notch at least their first playoff win since January 2017. As of Monday morning, DraftKings Sportsbook had Pittsburgh at -150 betting odds to miss the playoffs for the upcoming season.
Ryan McMahon Only Needed 2 Games With the Yankees to Embarrass Aaron Boone
Only eight plate appearances into his New York Yankees career, Ryan McMahon has already been more productive than the team’s previous third base options. What might sound hyperbolic or outright false at first glance is actually true, at least from a certain point of view. Analytics — specifically, Wins Above Replacement — proves that argument, and it’s one that Yankees manager Aaron Boone should be ashamed of. McMahon went 2-for-3 with a two-run double in Sunday’s victory over the Phillies, giving him four hits in his first eight at-bats. FanGraphs ruled that McMahon is already worth 0.2 fWAR through two games in a Yankees uniform. Amazingly, McMahon has a higher fWAR than the trio of DJ LeMahieu, Oswald Peraza, and Jorbit Vivas, who have played a combined 148 games in the infield thus far. LeMahieu provided -0.1 fWAR over 45 games before being unceremoniously cut earlier this month, while Vivas (-0.2) is currently at Triple-A. Peraza and his -0.6 fWAR remain on the active roster, though he’s shifted into a bench role. Baseball-Reference has been slightly more generous, giving Peraza -0.2 bWAR. Boone stuck with LeMahieu and Peraza until he couldn’t anymore, and it’s partly why the Yankees have dropped to 5 1/2 games back in the AL East. Injuries and age took their toll on LeMahieu, who only played second after returning from calf and hip problems. Peraza owns a .152 average and .452 OPS in 170 plate appearances. We’ll see if McMahon can elevate the Yankees, who open a pivotal four-game set with the rival Tampa Bay Rays on Monday night.
Steelers Might Be The Legitimate Reason Terry McLaurin Wants Out Of Washington
The Pittsburgh Steelers made a shocking move early in the 2025 offseason. In a bold and unexpected trade, the team acquired star wide receiver DK Metcalf from the Seattle Seahawks, instantly changing the outlook of their offense. Shortly after the deal, the Steelers committed long-term, signing Metcalf to a five-year contract worth $150 million, with four new years and $132 million in fresh money. At $33 million per year, the Steelers made it clear they believe Metcalf is a rare talent worth every dollar. While the Steelers were focused on boosting their offense, their move has caused problems elsewhere in the NFL. The Washington Commanders now find themselves in a difficult position with their own star wide receiver, Terry McLaurin. During an appearance on The Pat McAfee Show on Monday, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that McLaurin "wants considerably more than" the $33 million per year that Metcalf received in Pittsburgh. That revelation has sparked questions about whether the Commanders are prepared to meet McLaurin’s growing demands. The Steelers may not have intended to impact other teams' contract negotiations, but their deal with Metcalf is now being used as a measuring stick. McLaurin, who has consistently been one of the most reliable wideouts in the league, is looking to cash in at a level that reflects his value. Pittsburgh’s decision to pay top dollar has inadvertently put pressure on Washington, who must now decide whether to match or exceed those terms to keep their top receiver happy. The Commanders find themselves in a difficult position as the NFL continues to see critical positions like wide receiver experience rapid increases in market value. As star players across the league sign massive deals, it becomes increasingly challenging for teams to build balanced rosters while also keeping their top talent and maintaining consistency from one season to the next. Washington is now facing that exact challenge with McLaurin. It makes perfect sense that Metcalf’s massive extension with the Steelers is being used as a comparison. This is a common pattern in the NFL. One player gets paid, and others in the same position group see it as their opportunity to cash in. McLaurin, after watching Metcalf land a $33 million per year deal, likely sees this as the perfect moment to get the contract he believes he deserves. It is not about being greedy. Players understand the business side of the league and know their value can shift quickly. When the opportunity comes, they have to take advantage of it. Steelers' Omar Khan Has A Chance To Do Something Crazy At Wide Receiver The bigger question is whether McLaurin could become available if things continue to stall in Washington. While the Steelers might seem like a potential landing spot, they are already investing heavily in Metcalf. Paying McLaurin even more than Metcalf would be incredibly difficult under the current financial structure. However, if General Manager Omar Khan were somehow able to make it work, it would completely reshape how the rest of the league views Pittsburgh entering the 2025 season. For now, both sides appear to be stuck, and that uncertainty could eventually lead to McLaurin’s name surfacing in trade talks, even if his price is far too high for Pittsburgh to realistically consider. While it’s highly unlikely the Steelers would make another major move at wide receiver, Khan has shown a willingness to get creative with the salary cap, so nothing can ever be completely ruled out. With the right cap maneuvering, there’s always a slim chance something unexpected could happen. Though the idea of the Steelers making McLaurin higher paid than Metcalf certainly sounds very unlikely at this point.
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