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Pacers vs Cavs Game 1 Start Time, Schedule Finalized
Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images

The Indiana Pacers will be taking on the Cleveland Cavaliers in the second round of the 2025 NBA playoffs. Indiana dispatched the Milwaukee Bucks in the first round, winning the series in five games.

More Pacers news: Blockbuster Trade Proposal Has Pacers Land Giannis Antetokounmpo From Bucks

Now the Pacers will get a tough challenge with the top-seeded Cavaliers, offering them a great opportunity. But ahead of Game 1, the NBA has announced the official start time for the games, as well as multiple others.

Game 1 will take place on Sunday, with tip-off coming at 6 p.m. ET. Game 2 will be played on May 6, with the tip-off starting at 7 p.m. ET.

Game 3 will be on May 9, back in Indiana, with tip-off scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET. And Game 4 will be on May 11 at 8 p.m. ET. Any other start times will be announced at a later date depending on how the series goes.

The Pacers will look to set the tone in Game 1, looking to steal a game on the road. Cleveland has been the best team in the Eastern Conference all season, but Indiana has played them fairly well.

More Pacers news: Experts in Unanimous Agreement on Outcome of Pacers-Cavaliers Series

Indiana has taken three of four games from the Cavaliers during the regular season, so they should be decently confident heading into the series. Two of the games came in the final week of the year, however, but the Pacers still found success against Cleveland.

The Pacers know that this series won't be easy, but they believe that they can't take down the Cavaliers. Indiana reached the Eastern Conference Finals a year ago, so they will be looking to do more damage this time around.

Cleveland has strong depth, so the Pacers will be relying on the bench to help keep up. Indiana has seen an up and down season from their bench, but the team has been rounding into form of late.

It will take a total team effort for the Pacers to knock down the Cavaliers, but it seems that they are ready for this challenge.

More Pacers news: Pacers Could Face Shorthanded Cavaliers Team in Game 1

Pacers' Tyrese Haliburton Reacts to Father Being Banned from Games

Pacers Have Major Disadvantage Entering Series vs Cavaliers

For more news and notes about the Indiana Pacers, head on over to Indiana Pacers on SI.


This article first appeared on Indianapolis Pacers on SI and was syndicated with permission.

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Atlanta Hawks Urged To Bring Back Former NBA 1st-Round Pick
NBA

Atlanta Hawks Urged To Bring Back Former NBA 1st-Round Pick

Cam Reddish spent part of the 2024-25 season playing for the Los Angeles Lakers. He had averages of 3.2 points, 2.0 rebounds and 1.0 steals per contest while shooting 40.4% from the field and 27.7% from the three-point range in 33 games. On July 24, Reddish still remains a free agent who is available to sign with any team in the league. Recently, many fans on social media urged to the Atlanta Hawks to bring back Reddish (h/t Hawks Lead). He was the 10th pick in the 2019 NBA Draft (by the Hawks) out of Duke. @BigGerm478: "BEEN SAYING THIS" @_VictorRashad_: "lol I’ll rt this one . We need him to come back and accept his role ! He’d be an amazing fit" @getoffmypxge: "Let’s come home cam" @mdotMika: "I always wanted him back since he left… showed who he can be in the 2021 playoff stimt" @tjhook47: "Bring Cam back to the A, Hawks!" @natefrazi3r: "dream offseason would be complete" @Chicosnametag: "We lost caris levert he def fits" Reddish played part of three seasons for the Hawks. He had averages of 11.1 points, 3.4 rebounds, 1.4 assists and 1.1 steals per contest while shooting 38.5% from the field and 32.9% from the three-point range in 118 games (62 starts). The 25-year-old has also spent time with the Portland Trail Blazers and New York Knicks over six seasons. Via @ohokvontae: "I still can’t believe Cam Reddish didn’t at least become a high floor rotation player in the league. I’ll never understand how that happens."

All signs point to Yankees moving on from Anthony Volpe
MLB

All signs point to Yankees moving on from Anthony Volpe

With the trade for Ryan McMahon now complete, it would seem New York Yankees’ general manager Brian Cashman has fulfilled one of his three priorities. He can now cross third base off the list, which leaves the rotation and bullpen as his remaining priorities. However, according to one Yankees writer, Cashman might not be done with the infield. Chris Kirschner of The Athletic reported this after the McMahon trade: “The Yankees may not be done adding to their infield. A team source said the Yankees are interested in adding a right-handed hitter who could play the infield.” Kirschner adds that the Yankees have had interest in Willi Castro and Amed Rosario. But the question now is, how would another player fit in the Yankees’ infield? Needless to say, Paul Goldschmidt and Jazz Chisholm Jr. aren’t going anywhere, and McMahon is just getting there. That leaves the low-hanging fruit. Anthony Volpe has been at the center of controversy all this season. His 13 errors, many of which had come at make-or-break moments, amount to the second-highest total in the game. In addition, his bat has not been able to compensate, hitting .214/.286/.407 with 14 home runs. There was always a lot to like about Volpe. He won a Gold Glove in his rookie year, his power has always been promising and his speed is nothing to scoff at. Unfortunately, his glove has become a liability and his speed has also produced very few results. Volpe has swiped just 10 bags in 17 attempts. His power is the one thing that still has some upside, but it hasn’t been enough to justify a spot in the lineup. Both Castro and Rosario have been far more productive at the plate this season than Volpe. Kirschner doesn’t clarify how serious the Yankees are in their pursuit of another infielder, but that most likely isn’t available information. Having just turned 24, Volpe could still become the type of player that was expected from him as a top prospect. However, his recent performance has weighed heavily on his team’s efforts and it may be buying him a ticket out of the Bronx — or at least a spot on the bench.

Yankees have finally found their third baseman in Ryan McMahon
MLB

Yankees have finally found their third baseman in Ryan McMahon

After years of speculation and nothing materializing, the New York Yankees have at last acquired third baseman Ryan McMahon from the Colorado Rockies, per the New York Post's Jon Heyman. Pitching prospects Griffin Herring and Josh Grosz are headed to the Mile High City in return. They were the number eight and 21st-ranked prospects in the Yankees' farm system, per MLB.com. Given the Yankees' struggles at the third-base position over the last few years, bringing in a guy who was an All-Star in 2024 and will be much more reliable is a win. Former MLB player and current analyst Cameron Maybin certainly believes that, as he was pushing the McMahon-to-New York narrative over the last week and feels it could be a great fit for both sides. "The third baseman they need plays in Colorado...I'm telling you! Defensively more than adequate and Taylor made for the ballpark offensively," Maybin wrote on social media. Maybin went on to mention how McMahon will feel reinvigorated joining a World Series contender like the Yankees after the last six-and-a-half years of being at the bottom in Colorado. The 30-year-old is not having his best season, slugging 16 home runs and 35 RBI with a .217 average through 100 games with the Rockies, per MLB.com stats. However, he's consistently been a 20-plus home run hitter who drives in runs at a strong rate and has a large sample size of doing so. Arizona Diamondbacks third baseman Eugenio Suarez (.252 average, 36 HRs, 86 RBI) has seemed to be No. 1 target for most teams, and for good reason, but given the Yankees' current situation and weaknesses, McMahon made more sense. Not only does he play a better third base, which New York desperately needs, but he has another two years of control after 2025, whereas Suarez would have been a rental. The acquisition cost was nothing crazy, and adding a lefty bat with some power to potentially take advantage of the short porch at Yankee Stadium is always a bonus. Some may not be satisfied until they see McMahon positively impacting the New York Yankees, but rest assured, this is a very solid pickup.

Raiders Releasing Wilkins Was Ultimate Sign of Strength
NFL

Raiders Releasing Wilkins Was Ultimate Sign of Strength

Pete Carroll and John Spytek definitely laid the law down on Thursday night when veteran defensive tackle Christian Wilkins was released. They sent a message. Take care of your bodies and listen to our medical staff. If not, you will be on the outside looking in. Wilkins made a horrible career and financial decision by not following the Raiders medical team's advice. It could potentially cost him $35.5 million in guaranteed money. Aside from losing his job and a potentially a lot of money, Wilkins is still injured. His chances of signing with another team gets slimmer by the day. Wilkins sent a message to the Raiders by not following medical advice. The Raiders sent a bigger message by releasing him. This spring the Raiders reportedly wanted Wilkins to have a second surgery to remedy the issues with his Jones fracture. It has been reported by Ian Rapoport of NFL Network that Wilkins did not want to go under the knife one more time. He wanted to let the foot heal with therapy and rehabilitation. The Raiders were having none of that. The team voided his guarantee of $35.5 million on June 4. Wilkins filed a grievance through the NFLPA just prior to his release. It could be ascertained from the statement the team released after Wilkins was given his walking papers they were fed up with him and they wanted to flex their muscles. The tone of the message cut like a knife. Wilkins, once a hot commodity, became a pariah in a little more than a year, “We have decided that it is in the best interest of the organization to move on from Christian Wilkins and he has been informed of his release from the team,” the statement read. “This franchise has a Commitment to Excellence on and off the field. With no clear path or plan for future return to play from Christian, this transaction is necessary for the entire organization to move forward and prepare for the new season.” Carroll was even more succinct when he addressed the media on Friday. He said the team was methodical in reaching its decision and the rearview mirror is very small. There is no looking back. “It took a long time to make our decision,” Carroll said. “I think there was no clear path to his return. So, we just had to move on.” Follow us today on X @HondoCarpenter and IG @HondoSr and weigh in on the situation with Wilkins. Go visit our Facebook page to find our daily content, WHEN YOU CLICK RIGHT HERE.

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