On Facebook
On Flipboard
On Twitter
If the New York Knicks are to return to the NBA Finals, it’ll take more than one comeback this time around.
A packed box score from Tyrese Haliburton placed the Indiana Pacers one win away from the NBA Finals, as they earned a 130-121 win over the Knicks in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Finals at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on Tuesday night.
Haliburton put up 32 points, 15 assists, and 12 rebounds in the monumental victory, earned in front of his father John. The elder Haliburton’s de facto exile from Gainbridge Fieldhouse was lifted on Tuesday as he was put up in the luxury box for the proceedings.
Now up 3-1 in the best-of-seven set, Indiana is one win away from its first NBA Finals showing since 2000. The Knicks will have to pull off just the 14th comeback from 3-1 down and the first in franchise history. New York previously forced a seventh game in a similar situation back in 1995’s conference semifinals but fell short in Game 7
Game 5 will return to Manhattan, as Madison Square Garden re-opens its doors on Thursday night (8 pm ET, TNT).
More must-reads:
- Former NBA champion shares shocking opinion on Luka Doncic
- Colts to sign key offensive lineman to a massive extension
- The 'NBA Summer League MVPs' quiz
Breaking News
Trending News
TODAY'S BEST
LA Lakers have inside track to sign 2x All-Star in new buyout deal, it would complete their roster
Former Houston Rockets Guard Signs with LA Clippers
Another former Houston Rockets guard is in the move this offseason, as TyTy Washington Jr. has signed a one-year contract with the LA Clippers, as reported by Shams Charania this weekend. Washington Jr., a former first-round pick, is now on his fourth NBA team in four seasons, as the 2022 draft pick is still trying to find his long-term home in the league. He played for the Rockets in his rookie season after being drafted with the No. 29 overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft. That would be his only season in Houston, where he logged 31 games, averaging 4.5 points, 1.5 rebounds and 1.5 assists. Following his lone year with the Rockets, Washington spent time on both the Milwaukee Bucks and Phoenix Suns on two-way contracts, logging minutes with both teams' G League affiliates. His most recent stint came with the Suns, logging 16 games on the main roster, only averaging seven minutes per game, so the opportunities seemed abysmal for the young guard. For the Valley Suns, Washington averaged 22.3 points, 7.2 assists, and 4.9 rebounds, proving he can be a solid scoring option, just needs the chance to prove his value to a team. Washington's career averages are 3.3 points, 1.1 rebounds and 1.2 assists per contest while shooting 34.7% from the field and 23.4% from the three-point range in 58 games. Now joining the Clippers this season, Washington is only 23, so the room to develop is still there for the 6-foot-3 guard. Obviously, going to a team that employs James Harden and Bradley Beal, minutes may be hard to come by for the young guard, but if he can prove his worth, then Clippers coach Tyronn Lue may find a way to include the former Kentucky product in his roster.
Kirk Cousins makes notable leadership move after Falcons practice
Kirk Cousins might be relegated to the job of backup quarterback, but he is showing veteran leadership to his Atlanta Falcons teammates. Following Sunday's practice, Cousins pulled aside rookie defensive end James Pearce to encourage the first-round pick after his fourth practice in the league at Flowery Branch, Georgia. "QB Kirk Cousins pulled aside Pearce after practice to compliment him on a pass batted down," wrote Marc Raimondi of ESPN. Cousins reportedly had a solid day of practice on Sunday, going 7-of-12 passing against the first-team unit. If Cousins wants out of Atlanta, he's not showing it at practice. The four-time Pro Bowl quarterback is competing on the field and being a good teammate around the facility. Cousins' actions on the field backed up what Falcons general manager Terry Fontenot praised Cousins for before the team's practice on Sunday. “Outside, it's a lot more of a deal than it is in the building,” Fontenot said to the media about the idea of friction between the Falcons and Cousins, per video from D. Orlando Ledbetter of the Atlanta Journal Constitution. “He shows up, he does his job, just like anybody ... We've gotta build the best 70-man roster so we can go win games. "That's what we're focused on, and Kirk, just like all the other players, is focused on coming in here and doing their job. That's what he's been doing." Fontenot didn't dismiss the idea that Atlanta would trade Cousins before the season. He said the Falcons will do whatever it takes to make the team better, but stressed that Cousins has been a professional throughout the process of being replaced by Michael Penix Jr., a first-round pick from the 2024 draft. “In terms of making moves, whether it's trades or acquiring players, we're always looking at those factors," Fontenot said. "We're gonna do whatever we can do to make this team the best it can possibly be. But he's been a great professional, and he's handled himself well.” Cousins is coming to work in a manner that will make another owner want to take a chance on the veteran quarterback. That could be one of his best-selling points before he plays in his 13th season in the league.
Report: Bengals draw hard line in Trey Hendrickson contract talks
Cincinnati Bengals star defensive end Trey Hendrickson has been holding out from training camp as he seeks a new contract, and it does not sound like the two sides are all that close to a deal. ESPN's Jeremy Fowler said on "SportsCenter" Monday that there has been "some progress" in negotiations between the Bengals and Hendrickson's representatives over the past week or so. The real disagreement has to do with guaranteed money, and Cincinnati's brass is not budging. "Hendrickson wants a stronger guaranteed structure, particularly later in what should be a multiyear deal. In talking to people with the Bengals they feel like, 'Hey, we've probably relented as far as we can go.' So this is a classic stare-off right now, and it's time to buckle up," Fowler said, via Andrew Peters of Bleacher Report. Hendrickson is set to earn $16M in base salary in the final year of his contract this season. He recently said he has shown a willingness to take less than market value on a new deal, but the Bengals do not want to guarantee him money beyond the 2026 season. Based on what he has said, the 30-year-old Hendrickson is not seeking to become the highest-paid defensive player in football. In order to accomplish that, he would have to top the three-year, $123M extension T.J. Watt signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers last week. Hendrickson had 35 sacks over the past two seasons, which was the most in the NFL during that span. He had 17.5 sacks each season and finished second in NFL Defensive Player of the Year voting in 2024. The Bengals took care of one major offseason issue on Sunday when they finally signed first-round pick Shemar Stewart to a rookie deal. All it will take is one side to budge in the team's ongoing stalemate with Hendrickson, but all parties seem to be dug in as training camp rolls on.
Maple Leafs Rumoured to Be Targeting Star Centre From Conference Rival
The Maple Leafs are in need of a major upgrade in their top-six, and now Jay Rosehill has noted Rangers' Vincent Trocheck as a trade candidate for Brad Treliving. The Toronto Maple Leafs have been busy this off-season, adding some intriguing forwards in Matias Macceli and Dakota Joshua while retaining John Tavares as they look to go one or two steps further in the post-season moving forward. However, despite all of this movement, the belief is still that this team is ready to take a big swing in the coming months on the trade market, with several big name candidates out there that could improve their top-six. Now, former Maple Leaf Jay Rosehill has weighed in, suggesting a very intriguing name that General Manager Brad Treliving could target ahead of the 2026 trade deadline. 'Another guy is Vincent Trocheck. He's 32 years old, so he's got the experience. I just think that you put him in this lineup, he would fit. It's like there's kind of a big missing piece in this forward group, kind of in that middle-six type of deal. And to fill it with a high-end guy like Trocheck, it would just be like, the balance would just be humming.' Over the past three years in New York, Trocheck has tallied 64, 77 and 59 points, and given the two-way game that he plays and the leadership that he brings, the 32-year old would be a massive upgrade in Toronto's top-six, whether he remains at the centre position or moves to the wing. Ultimately, the Maple Leafs have the issue of lacking assets to make a big move, so a player like Trocheck could potentially be in their range, and while they've still got plenty of talent, it's clear that this team needs an upgrade to be a true contender, with Trocheck a fantastic option if he truly is available.
Customize Your Newsletter
+
Get the latest news and rumors, customized to your favorite sports and teams. Emailed daily. Always free!
PRIVACY POLICY EDITORIAL POLICY CONTACT US
ABOUT YARDBARKER TERMS OF SERVICE
Use of this website (including any and all parts and
components) constitutes your acceptance of these
Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
This site is for entertainment purposes only.
There is no gambling offered on this site.
Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-Gambler.
