NEW YORK – June 2, 2025 – The Indiana Pacers delivered a clutch performance in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Finals, defeating the New York Knicks 109-97 at Madison Square Garden. With this win, Indiana secures their first NBA Finals appearance since 2000 and sets up a championship showdown with the Western Conference champions, the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Key Performers

• Tyrese Haliburton orchestrated the offense brilliantly, finishing with 28 points and 12 assists.
• Myles Turner dominated the paint with 22 points and 9 rebounds.
• Bennedict Mathurin added 19 points off the bench, giving Indiana the spark they needed late in the second half.

Game Flow

The Knicks came out strong, feeding off the electric home crowd and taking a narrow lead into halftime. However, the Pacers responded with a dominant third quarter, outscoring New York 33-18. Indiana’s defense clamped down in the fourth, closing out the game with timely stops and efficient scoring.

Postgame Reaction

Coach Rick Carlisle praised his team’s poise:
“We’ve grown up this series. Winning in New York in Game 7 – that’s special.”

The Knicks, despite a hard-fought series, couldn’t overcome Indiana’s ball movement and second-half surge. Jalen Brunson led New York with 26 points but struggled with efficiency late in the game.

What’s Next?

Indiana will now prepare for the NBA Finals against the Oklahoma City Thunder. Game 1 tips off on Thursday, June 5 in Oklahoma City.

NBA Finals Set: Pacers and Thunder Face Off for the 2025 Championship

INDIANAPOLIS & OKLAHOMA CITY – June 3, 2025 – The stage is officially set for the 2025 NBA Finals. The Indiana Pacers will meet the Oklahoma City Thunder in what promises to be a high-energy, youth-driven battle for the championship.

Season Storylines

• Indiana Pacers: Led by All-Star guard Tyrese Haliburton and a deep supporting cast, Indiana fought through a grueling playoff path, knocking out the Bucks and the Knicks to claim the East.
• Oklahoma City Thunder: With rising superstar Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and No. 2 pick Chet Holmgren, OKC’s quick rebuild has stunned the league. They cruised past Denver and Golden State to reach the Finals.

NBA Finals Schedule

*If necessary

Series Preview

This matchup features two of the league’s best young cores. Indiana’s structured, pass-heavy attack will clash with OKC’s aggressive transition game and elite perimeter defense. Expect a fast-paced series filled with breakout moments and clutch performances.

Stay tuned to SportsTeems for game-by-game breakdowns, highlight analysis, and Finals MVP predictions! Let me know if you want social media blurbs or player-focused pieces next.

Plum & Wilson Power the Aces

Kelsey Plum bounced back from a quiet Game 1 with 29 points on 11-of-15 shooting, while MVP A’ja Wilson added 24 points and 13 rebounds, setting a new WNBA record with her 13th career playoff game with 20+ points and 10+ boards. Wilson surpassed legends Tamika Catchings and Candace Parker with that milestone.

The Aces, known for their playoff grit, have now won 11 straight playoff games at home and are gearing up for a Finals rematch with the top-seeded New York Liberty, starting Sunday.

A Game of Runs

Las Vegas exploded out the gate with a 15-4 run, hitting nine straight shots in the first quarter and building a double-digit lead. The trio of Wilson, Plum, and Chelsea Gray combined for all 28 first-quarter points.

Seattle, however, showed fight. After falling behind early, they clawed back with a 9-0 run in the second quarter to cut the deficit to one. But a 6-0 Las Vegas burst to end the half gave the Aces breathing room.

Clutch Plays Down the Stretch

The Storm briefly took their first lead in the fourth quarter, but Las Vegas responded immediately with a 7-0 surge, highlighted by Jackie Young’s fast-break layup.

Chelsea Gray was clutch as ever, finishing with 12 points and nine assists, including a key jumper to halt a Storm rally late. Tiffany Hayes sealed the win with a tough layup in traffic with just 46 seconds remaining.

Seattle’s Effort Falls Short

The Storm had five players in double figures. Gabby Williams led Seattle with 20 points, while Nneka Ogwumike posted a double-double (16 points, 10 rebounds). Ezi Magbegor added 14 in her return from concussion protocol.

However, Jewell Loyd was held to just nine points on 3-of-11 shooting, and missed opportunities—including Magbegor’s missed free throws late—proved costly.

Game Summary

What’s Next?

The Aces vs. Liberty semifinals series is a must-watch, with Las Vegas aiming to become the first team since the Houston Comets (1997-2000) to win three straight WNBA titles.

Stay tuned to SportsTeems for full WNBA playoff coverage, player insights, and post-game breakdowns!

Cloud’s Double-Double

Natasha Cloud contributed significantly with 21 points and 12 assists, marking her third double-double of the season. Her playmaking abilities facilitated the team’s fluid offense, and she also added two steals and two blocks on the defensive end

Defensive Dominance

The Mercury’s defense was particularly stifling in the second quarter, holding the Sparks to just seven points—their lowest-scoring quarter of the season. Phoenix capitalized on this defensive effort with a 15-0 run, establishing a 31-17 lead and maintaining control for the remainder of the game.

Supporting Cast Contributions

Kahleah Copper added 12 points, while Sophie Cunningham chipped in with 10 points and five rebounds. Natasha Mack anchored the defense with a career-high 12 rebounds, providing a strong presence in the paint

Sparks’ Struggles

For the Sparks, Dearica Hamby led the team with 23 points on 9-of-12 shooting, including a perfect 3-of-3 from three-point range. However, her impact on the boards was limited to four rebounds, ending her streak of seven consecutive games with at least 17 points and nine rebounds. Kia Nurse contributed 12 points, but the team struggled overall, particularly in the second quarter.

Game Summary

Looking Ahead

With this win, the Mercury improved their record to 4-5, while the Sparks fell to 2-6. Phoenix will look to build on this momentum in their upcoming games, aiming to climb the standings as the season progresses.

NEW YORK — DeWanna Bonner and Rebecca Allen powered the Connecticut Sun to a statement win on Sunday, locking down the high-powered New York Liberty 78-63 in Game 1 of their WNBA semifinal matchup.

Bonner dropped 20 points and Allen added 18 against her former team, leading a defensive clinic that held the Liberty to their lowest scoring output of the season.

“We had to disrupt their rhythm — they’re elite offensively,” said Sun coach Stephanie White. “Our team took that challenge personally.”

Sun Flip the Script

Despite losing all four regular-season meetings with New York, the Sun came out hungry. After trailing by three at the half, Connecticut opened the third quarter with a 16-2 run. Natisha Hiedeman hit two huge threes during the surge, and Allen’s fourth triple later killed Liberty momentum just as they were closing in.

Bonner sealed the deal with a pull-up jumper to end the third and then scored the first five of the fourth to stretch the lead to 15 — a gap New York never closed.

Allen’s Revenge Game

Allen, traded to Connecticut in the offseason in the Jonquel Jones blockbuster, came back to haunt her former squad. She was sharp from beyond the arc and stepped up when Connecticut needed a spark.

Liberty Struggle to Fire

MVP candidate Breanna Stewart scored 19 but had a tough shooting night (7-of-25 from the field, 0-of-8 from three). Jonquel Jones added 14 points and 12 boards — her 15th double-double of the year — but it wasn’t enough.

The Liberty, who averaged 89.2 points per game in the regular season, managed just 34% shooting and were held without a single fastbreak bucket. They were also outrebounded 35-30.

“That was our worst performance of the season,” said New York coach Sandy Brondello. “We’ll respond.”

Stat Sheet Highlights:

• Connecticut: Bonner (20 pts), Allen (18 pts), Thomas (8 pts, 10 ast, 7 reb)
• New York: Stewart (19 pts), Jones (14 pts, 12 reb), Ionescu (9 pts)

Game 2 is set for Tuesday night in New York as the Liberty look to regroup.

Tags: WNBA Playoffs 2023, Connecticut Sun, New York Liberty, Rebecca Allen, DeWanna Bonner, Breanna Stewart, Game Recap, Women’s Basketball

LOS ANGELES – The Los Angeles Sparks opened their WNBA season in style Friday night, cruising to a 94-71 victory over the Phoenix Mercury and spoiling Brittney Griner’s emotional return to the court.

Ogwumike Leads the Way

Veteran forward Nneka Ogwumike paced the Sparks with 17 points, setting the tone with her leadership and efficiency. Rookie sensation Zia Cooke impressed in her debut, scoring 14 points on 5-of-6 shooting, including two perfect makes from deep.

Cooke’s explosive outing came in front of her college coach, Dawn Staley, as the South Carolina product looked right at home in the pros.

Griner’s Emotional Return

Brittney Griner made her highly anticipated return to the WNBA after missing all of last season due to her detention in Russia. She finished with 18 points, six rebounds, and four blocks in just 25 minutes — a strong performance despite the Mercury’s struggles.

Griner was greeted with support and applause in what was her first game since a 10-month detainment that ended in December 2022 through a U.S.-Russia prisoner exchange.

Sparks Take Over in Second Quarter

The Sparks held just a narrow lead early before breaking the game open in the second quarter. A 13-point halftime cushion (54-41) quickly turned into a rout as LA continued to outpace Phoenix in transition and control the boards.

Quick Hits:

• Sparks Leaders: Ogwumike (17 pts), Cooke (14 pts), Lexie Brown (supporting cast scorer)
• Mercury Leaders: Griner (18 pts, 6 reb, 4 blk)
• Key Stat: Sparks shot 53% from the field as a team

Tags:
WNBA 2023, Los Angeles Sparks, Phoenix Mercury, Brittney Griner Return, Zia Cooke Debut, Nneka Ogwumike, Game Recap, Women’s Basketball

INDIANAPOLIS – The Indiana Pacers are heading back to the NBA Finals for just the second time in franchise history, capping off a dominant 125-108 win over the New York Knicks in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Finals on Saturday night.

Siakam, Haliburton Seal the Deal

Pascal Siakam led the charge with 31 points and earned the Larry Bird Trophy as the Eastern Conference Finals MVP. Tyrese Haliburton delivered when it mattered most, scoring 11 of his 21 points in the fourth quarter and dishing out 13 assists to put the game – and the series – out of reach.

“Pascal and Tyrese put us on their backs,” said Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle. “But our work has just begun.”

Historic Night in Indy

It was a night to remember at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, packed with energy and star power from Caitlin Clark to Timothée Chalamet. Indiana last reached the Finals in 2000, and now, 25 years later, they’ll face the Oklahoma City Thunder in the championship series starting Thursday.

Obi Toppin added 18 points against his former team, while the Pacers’ aggressive defense forced the Knicks into 17 costly turnovers.

Knicks Fall Short Again

OG Anunoby led New York with 24 points, followed by Karl-Anthony Towns (22 points, 14 rebounds) and Jalen Brunson (19 points). Despite stretches of solid defense, New York couldn’t slow the Pacers’ offensive rhythm.

“We didn’t stay consistent enough,” said Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau. “Turnovers really hurt us.”

The Knicks, despite a strong playoff push, remain without an NBA Finals appearance since 1999.

Second-Half Surge

Indiana broke open the game with a 9-0 run to start the second half, followed by three straight 3-pointers that brought the house down. Though the Knicks clawed back to within seven, the Pacers answered with another 9-0 burst and never looked back.

Final Box Score Highlights

• Pacers: Siakam (31 pts), Haliburton (21 pts, 13 ast), Toppin (18 pts), Bryant (2 key 3s)
• Knicks: Anunoby (24 pts), Towns (22 pts, 14 reb), Brunson (19 pts)
• Key Stat: Pacers forced 17 turnovers, turning defense into game-changing offense.

Tags:
NBA Playoffs 2025, Indiana Pacers, New York Knicks, Pascal Siakam, Tyrese Haliburton, NBA Finals, Gainbridge Fieldhouse, Game Recap, Basketball News

SAN FRANCISCO – The Minnesota Lynx remain undefeated, riding a dominant second-half burst to take down the Golden State Valkyries 86-75 on Sunday night at a packed Chase Center.

Collier Shines, Williams Sparks the Run

Napheesa Collier was unstoppable with 24 points and 11 boards, powering the Lynx (7-0) to their seventh straight win. Courtney Williams added 20 points, five rebounds, and five assists — and played a key role in Minnesota’s 27-5 third-quarter run that broke the game wide open.

Williams’ deep three early in the third gave the Lynx a lead they’d never give back. Natisha Hiedeman also stepped up, scoring all eight of her points during the run and adding two assists and two steals for good measure.

Historic Start for the Valkyries

Despite the loss, the Valkyries (2-4) continued making headlines with another sellout crowd at Chase Center — their third straight, setting a WNBA record for an expansion franchise.

Veronica Burton led Golden State with 21 points, hitting three 3-pointers and shooting an efficient 7-of-11 from the floor. Kate Martin added 14 points, and Kayla Thornton chipped in 11.

Minnesota Keeps Pace with the Liberty

With this win, the Lynx remain tied with the New York Liberty atop the league standings in a season that’s already looking like a revenge tour after falling short in last year’s Finals.

Box Score Highlights

• Lynx: Collier (24 pts, 11 reb), Williams (20 pts, 5 ast), McBride (16 pts), Carleton (12 pts)
• Valkyries: Burton (21 pts), Martin (14 pts), Thornton (11 pts)
• Key Stat: Minnesota’s 27-5 third-quarter run turned a tight game into a double-digit lead

Tags:
WNBA 2025, Minnesota Lynx, Golden State Valkyries, Napheesa Collier, Courtney Williams, Kayla McBride, WNBA Expansion, Chase Center, WNBA Standings, Game Recap

The Connecticut Sun silenced Barclays Center on Sunday night with a gritty 78-63 win over the New York Liberty, stealing Game 1 of their WNBA semifinal series and snapping a four-game losing streak against the East’s powerhouse.

Defensive Lockdown Shines Bright

Connecticut’s defense came out with intensity and purpose, holding New York to a season-low 63 points — a staggering feat against a team that averaged nearly 90 per game in the regular season.

DeWanna Bonner led the charge with 20 points, while Rebecca Allen — facing her former team — lit it up from deep, draining four threes on her way to 18 points.

“We didn’t care about the regular season. This is a new season, and we came to win,” Bonner said postgame.

Game-Changing Third Quarter

Trailing by three at halftime, the Sun flipped the script with a 16-2 run to open the third. Natisha Hiedeman hit two huge threes, and Connecticut’s energy overwhelmed the Liberty. From that moment on, New York never recovered.

Allen hit a dagger triple late in the third and Bonner knocked down a smooth jumper at the buzzer to push the lead to double digits — a gap the Liberty couldn’t close.

Liberty Stumble at Home

Breanna Stewart led New York with 19 points but had a frustrating night, going just 7-for-25 from the floor and missing all eight of her three-point attempts. Jonquel Jones added a double-double with 14 points and 12 rebounds, but it wasn’t enough.

“They were aggressive and we didn’t respond well,” Stewart admitted. “But we’ll be ready for Game 2.”

Stat Breakdown

• Sun Leaders: Bonner (20 pts), Allen (18 pts), Thomas (8 pts, 10 ast, 7 reb)
• Liberty Leaders: Stewart (19 pts), Jones (14 pts, 12 reb)
• Team Stats:
  • FG%: Sun 46% | Liberty 34%
  • 3P%: Sun 43% | Liberty 20%
  • Rebounds: Sun 35 | Liberty 30
  • Fast Break Points: Liberty 0

Next Up

Game 2 tips off Tuesday night in New York. Expect a fired-up Liberty team looking to even the series, but the Sun now have all the momentum — and the confidence to match.

The Dallas Wings kicked off their 2024 WNBA campaign with a thrilling comeback win on home court, defeating the Chicago Sky 87-79 behind a dominant fourth-quarter performance by Arike Ogunbowale.

Arike Turns Up Late

With the Wings trailing 75-73 and just over three minutes left on the clock, Ogunbowale flipped the switch. The star guard poured in 14 of her game-high 25 points in the final period — nine of them during a decisive 14-0 run that put the game out of reach. Her step-back three with 31 seconds left capped the run and sent the Arlington crowd into a frenzy.

Balanced Attack Backs the Star

While Ogunbowale owned the clutch moments, the Wings leaned on strong supporting performances throughout. Center Teaira McCowan powered her way to 18 points and 13 rebounds, while forward Natasha Howard added her own double-double with 15 points and 13 boards. Maddy Siegrist came off the bench to chip in 13 points, including a key triple during the late surge.

Sky Start Fast but Fade Late

Chicago looked sharp early, opening up a 24-14 lead in the first quarter behind Marina Mabrey’s hot hand. Mabrey finished with 19 points and 9 rebounds against her former team. The Sky had five players in double digits, including Diamond DeShields (14), Angel Reese (12), Elizabeth Williams (12), and Dana Evans (10).

Despite leading at the half and entering the fourth tied at 62, the Sky couldn’t match Dallas’ late-game energy and execution.

Milestones and Debuts

The night also featured a special moment for Stephanie Soares, who scored her first professional points after missing last season with a torn ACL. Her putback basket in the second quarter helped swing momentum in the Wings’ favor.

Wings rookie Jacy Sheldon saw limited action, scoring 2 points in 9 minutes, while Jaelyn Brown made her first WNBA start after years overseas, though she went scoreless.

Looking Ahead

It’s a strong start for Dallas, who aim to build on last year’s progress. With Ogunbowale in late-game takeover mode and the frontcourt duo of McCowan and Howard clicking early, the Wings look ready to make noise this season.

Tags:
Arike Ogunbowale, Dallas Wings, Chicago Sky, WNBA 2024, Teaira McCowan, Natasha Howard, Angel Reese, Marina Mabrey, WNBA Season Opener, Women’s Basketball News

The New York Knicks aren’t done yet.

Facing elimination at Madison Square Garden, the Knicks delivered a resounding 111-94 win over the Indiana Pacers in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Finals on Thursday night. Fueled by Jalen Brunson’s 32 points and Karl-Anthony Towns’ gutsy double-double, New York trimmed Indiana’s series lead to 3-2 and reignited hope in the Big Apple.

Brunson Answers the Call

After a quiet Game 4, Brunson bounced back in a big way. The All-Star guard wasted no time setting the tone, scoring 14 points in the opening quarter and finishing with his 21st 30-point postseason performance — a franchise record.

“Our backs were against the wall,” Brunson said after the game. “We had no choice but to fight like it was our last.”

Towns Battles Through Injury

Despite being listed as questionable with a bruised left knee, Karl-Anthony Towns showed no signs of slowing down. He dropped 24 points and grabbed 13 rebounds, giving the Knicks the energy and presence they needed in the paint.

“It’s a testament to our team answering the call,” Towns said postgame.

Defense Wins the Night

The Knicks came out locked in defensively, holding Indiana to just 45 first-half points — a huge improvement from the 43 they allowed in the first quarter of Game 4 alone.

Tyrese Haliburton, who torched New York in the previous game with a triple-double, was limited to just 8 points and 6 assists. Indiana shot just 40.5% from the floor, marking their lowest-scoring game of the postseason.

Pacers coach Rick Carlisle didn’t sugarcoat the loss.

“We didn’t bring the force we needed,” he said. “They outplayed us in every key category — rebounds, turnovers, shot-making. They earned it.”

Mathurin Shines Off the Bench

Bennedict Mathurin was a bright spot for Indiana, pouring in 23 points off the bench. But with little support elsewhere, the Pacers couldn’t keep up with the Knicks’ intensity, especially during New York’s 12-0 third-quarter run that rebuilt their lead after a mini Pacers rally.

Looking Ahead

Game 6 heads back to Indianapolis on Saturday night, where the Pacers will try again to close out the series and return to the NBA Finals for the first time since 2000. The Knicks, meanwhile, are just two wins away from making history as the 14th team to come back from a 3-1 deficit.

Can New York force a Game 7? Or will Indiana rise at home?

One thing’s clear: this series is far from over.