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Warriors Guard Roasts Knicks After Conference Finals Loss

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Orlando Silva | Last updated Jun 3, 2025 3:42 PM ET

The New York Knicks' inspiring story in the 2025 NBA playoffs came to an end in the Eastern Conference finals at the hands of the Indiana Pacers. The fourth-seeded team beat the third-seeded team, 4-2, ending their hopes to return to the Finals for the first time since 1999.

Led by Tyrese Haliburton and Pascal Siakam, the Pacers returned to the championship series for the first time in 25 years. They showed a free and entertaining game from start to finish, sharing the ball and playing hard throughout.

The challenge is greater now, as the Oklahoma City Thunder easily beat the Minnesota Timberwolves in the Western Conference finals, 4-1. Per ESPN Bet, they enter the Finals as the heavy favorite (-700) against a team eager to continue defying and beating the odds (+500).

While this appears to be a lopsided series, Golden State Warriors shooting guard Brandin Podziemski was happy to see Indiana face off against the Thunder instead of the Knicks.

During Tuesday's episode of Kay Adams' "Up & Adams" show, the guard roasted the Knicks while explaining why Indy would be a harder opponent for OKC than the Timberwolves and Knicks.

"I'm super excited for it," Podziemski said. "I’m glad it was the Pacers, not the Knicks, because I feel like if it was the Knicks, it would have been a sweep. Just because I don't think the Knicks have enough to compete with OKC, both offensively and defensively.

"The Pacers, on any given night, they play with 10 guys, and there's games where all starters score in double figures. You don't always necessarily know where the points are coming from with Indiana, and I think that's what OKC is really gonna stop."

“I’m glad it was the Pacers, not the Knicks... if it was the Knicks, it would have been a sweep."

Brandin Podziemski on the NBA Finals @heykayadams | @brandinpodziem2 pic.twitter.com/eF09tiu2uv
— Up & Adams (@UpAndAdamsShow) June 3, 2025

The Knicks relied on Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns to score. They had help from OG Anunoby, Josh Hart and Mikal Bridges, but they weren't always at the top of their game during the series.

New York looked set to return to the Finals before it ran into the Pacers. Indy will have the chance to win its first-ever NBA championship, but the team in front of them is looking to achieve the same goal.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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