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Three stars from Sunday's NBA playoffs
Golden State Warriors guard Buddy Hield (7) dribbles the ball as Houston Rockets forward Dillon Brooks (9) defends during the first quarter of game seven of the first round for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Toyota Center. Troy Taormina-Imagn Images

Three stars from Sunday's NBA playoffs

The second round of the NBA playoffs began Sunday in Cleveland, mere hours before the first round of the playoffs ended in Houston. The Indiana Pacers stole home-court advantage from the Cleveland Cavaliers, while the Golden State Warriors sent the second-seeded Houston Rockets out of the playoffs.

Golden State Warriors guard Buddy Hield | 33 points, 12-of -15, 9 3PM

Buddy Hield tied an NBA playoff record for Game Sevens by sinking nine three-pointers, outshooting the Houston Rockets (six threes) by himself from behind the arc in a series-winning 103-89 win. Hield was unconscious on his deep shots, including a buzzer-beating 42-footer to end the first quarter.

While the Rockets were shutting down Stephen Curry early in Game 7, Hield was making everything. He finished 12-of-15 on the game and hit nine of his 11 three-point attempts in a game he will never forget. Not known for his defense or his distributing, Hield still finished with three assists, a steal and two blocks.

His nine three-pointers tied the NBA record for triples in a Game 7, a record set last year by Donte DiVincenzo. Now the Warriors are moving on to face DiVincenzo's Minnesota Timberwolves in the second round.

Golden State Warriors center Draymond Green | 16 points, six rebounds, five assists

It sounds strange to talk about Draymond Green playing a calm, impactful Game 7 when he still picked up a technical foul for shoving an opposing player after a foul. But the Defensive Player of the Year finalist had a huge game for Golden State, shooting 7-of-15 and scoring 16 points in a game where the Rockets focused their defense on Stephen Curry.

His offense was essential in a game where Curry didn't score until the final seconds of the second quarter. Green had five assists and only a single turnover, while on defense, he had a steal and two blocks, holding Rockets All-Star Alperen Sengun to 21 points, but on 9-of-23 shooting.

Plus, zero flagrant fouls! That shouldn't be impressive, but by Green standards, it was a disciplined, gentle game.

Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton | 22 points, 13 assists, 3 blocks

It's tempting to give this honor to Indiana Pacers wings Andrew Nembhard (23 points, 7-of-10 shooting, +21) or Aaron Nesmith (17 points, four 3PM, eight rebounds) after the Pacers made over half their shots while beating the Cleveland Cavaliers, 121-112. But it was Tyrese Haliburton who delivered 13 assists, scored 22 points and turned the ball over only a single time.

In the fourth quarter, Haliburton helped shut down a Cavaliers comeback with nine points and three assists. He also delivered two blocked shots on consecutive possessions, showing off his preternatural ability to block three-point shots. In the final 6:21, Haliburton had seven points, three assists, two blocks and some back-breaking baskets that iced the upset victory.

The 64-18 Cavaliers are formidable, but Haliburton in the playoffs is tough for even the best NBA teams.

Sean Keane

Sean Keane is a sportswriter and a comedian based in Oakland, California, with experience covering the NBA, MLB, NFL and Ice Cube’s three-on-three basketball league, The Big 3. He’s written for Comedy Central’s “Another Period,” ESPN the Magazine, and Audible. com

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