Shai Gilgeous-Alexander wins 2025 NBA Finals MVP award

As the final cherry on top, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander completed one of the greatest individual seasons ever with the 2025 NBA Finals MVP award. The Oklahoma City Thunder captured their first championship in a 103-91 Game 7 win over the Indiana Pacers.
Gilgeous-Alexander won in a clean sweep. He received all 11 media votes for the prestigious trophy. It shouldn't be a shocker since his 29 points and 12 assists led the Thunder to the title-clinching victory.
In seven games, Gilgeous-Alexander averaged 30.3 points on 44.3% shooting, 5.6 assists and 4.6 rebounds. He was the best player on the court throughout the championship round.
It was quite the season for Gilgeous-Alexander. He won the MVP award, was the face of the NBA's best team and was one of the best playoff performers. Considering his runway, this could be the beginning of something special for the 26-year-old and OKC.

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Yahoo

22 minutes ago

• Yahoo

Lakers Luka Doncic's sends ‘speed' message that will scare rest of NBA

The post Lakers Luka Doncic's sends 'speed' message that will scare rest of NBA appeared first on ClutchPoints. Los Angeles Lakers superstar Luka Doncic has long been one of the NBA's best players. Known for controlling the game despite lacking elite speed, Doncic made a surprising remark about his quickness during an appearance on the Mind the Game podcast with Steve Nash and LeBron James. Advertisement '[The Thunder] speed people up. They can't speed him up… What's your take?' Nash asked Doncic in the podcast's most recent episode. 'I have speed, I just don't show it,' Doncic replied while smiling. Doncic's style is often praised for its poise and control, standing out in a league filled with speed and explosiveness. His knack for shifting pace and direction while maintaining balance—and throwing defenders off theirs—has become a hallmark of his game. Luka Doncic with the Lakers Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images The Lakers star hasn't needed to rely on speed to dominate offensively. At 26, he put up 28.2 points, 8.1 rebounds, 7.5 assists, 1.6 steals, and 0.4 blocks per game during the 2024-25 stint with Los Angeles. Advertisement Doncic dictates tempo on his terms, and defenses have consistently failed to throw him off rhythm. Even the surging Oklahoma City Thunder, have struggled to contain him. Steve Nash pointed out that OKC can't force Doncic to play faster—an edge that's fueled his success in their matchups. He ousted the Thunder in last year's Conference Semifinals, and there was plenty of intrigue around how he might have fared against them again this postseason. Similarly, Doncic has faced steady criticism for lacking the foot speed to keep up with opposing players—an issue that's only grown since he added weight in recent years. While his slower pace works offensively, it's a liability on defense, where opponents often blow by him. The Lakers would welcome any flashes of quickness he's yet to show on that end of the floor. Doncic surrendered more blow-bys in Game 5 against the Minnesota Timberwolves than any other player in this year's playoffs. While it wasn't the main reason behind the Lakers' elimination, the Timberwolves repeatedly driving past him made matters worse. Doncic already slimmed down Despite last season's outcome, Doncic remains one of the NBA's elite playmakers. Steve Nash shared how impressed he is by Doncic's knack for delivering late passes, and asked whether that skill was natural or something he developed over time. Advertisement LeBron James praised Doncic for how effortlessly he controls the tempo of a game — a strength James has long excelled at himself. With training camp giving them time to build chemistry, it'll be exciting to watch how the two stars operate together next season. Videos from Luka Doncic's 2018-19 rookie season have resurfaced on social media, showing a noticeably quicker and more agile version of the Lakers star. With reports suggesting he's already slimmed down this offseason, there's growing optimism that improved conditioning will help boost his speed and impact on both ends of the court next season.

New York Times

43 minutes ago

• New York Times

NBA Power Rankings: Thunder on top (of course); offseason outlook for all 30 teams

We have a new NBA champion, just in time for the summer to officially begin and for everyone to return to the real games: doomscrolling transaction rumors. I'm just pulling your chain, but we do have a new champion. Congratulations to the Oklahoma City Thunder. What we've seen speaks for itself. With the talent and assets they have accumulated, we knew they would soon be here. And I, for one, welcome our new insect overlords. The Thunder spent the entire season in our Top Contenders tier and most of the season in the top spot. These Power Rankings are here both to put a final bow on the 2024-25 NBA season as well as look ever so slightly ahead to the action many of you crave, and that is offseason player movement. I'll retain the tiers as we break down each team's outlook: Let's enter the final terms of the contract for The Athletic's NBA Power Rankings this season. Previous rankings are from the end of the regular season — that's where grades, records and ratings will be. Last ranking: 1 Playoffs? Swept Grizzlies in West quarterfinals, beat Nuggets in West semifinals Game 7, beat Timberwolves in Western Conference finals, beat Pacers in NBA Finals Game 7 What happened, and what's next? They're the NBA champions, capping off one of the most dominant seasons ever. They won 64 games by double digits between the regular season and the playoffs. They had the No. 1 defense. They swallowed teams up in the possession battle. But winning championships is hard. Advertisement The Thunder were down by 29 points in Memphis. The depleted depth of the Denver Nuggets dragged them to seven games. The Timberwolves beat them by 43 points. And the Pacers were perhaps a Tyrese Haliburton injury away from a major upset. No matter — the Thunder got it done. They have the reigning NBA Finals MVP/regular season MVP/scoring champion (Shai Gilgeous-Alexander), an All-NBA/All-Defense selection (Jalen Williams) and a second-overall pick just scratching the surface of his capabilities (Chet Holmgren). Jaylin Williams is their top free agent. And, because they're the Thunder, they have one lottery pick set to debut next season (Nikola Topić) and the 15th and 24th picks in this week's draft. It's an embarrassment of riches, and they're not 'too young.' They're young champions. Last ranking: 7 Playoffs? Beat Bucks in East quarterfinals, beat Cavaliers in East semifinals, beat Knicks in Eastern Conference finals, lost Game 7 to Thunder in NBA Finals What happened, and what's next? This isn't a Power Rankings to predict what will happen in June 2026. It's a placement of where we are after the postseason and going into the wave of player movement. What a run the Pacers had. They started 10-15. Then they won a rematch against the Bucks, featuring Giannis Antetokounmpo this time. They beat the best offense in basketball in Cleveland with multiple games to spare. They beat the Knicks, again, on a bigger stage. And they played their first game in franchise history with a chance to win an NBA championship. Haliburton's Achilles injury disrupts Indiana's outlook. Myles Turner is a free agent, and the Pacers traded their 2025 first-round pick to get their 2026 pick back. That move looks prescient now. This offseason will answer a lot of questions about how the Pacers will proceed post-Haliburton injury. But for now, respect to arguably the most unlikely 15-win postseason run the league has ever seen. Advertisement Last ranking: 8 Playoffs? Beat Pistons in East quarterfinals, beat Celtics in East semifinals, lost to Pacers in Eastern Conference finals What happened, and what's next? It's a major credit to the Knicks that they won multiple road games this postseason in Detroit and Boston. Their upset of the defending champions was not something I saw coming after they went 0-10 against the Celtics, Cavaliers and Thunder in the regular season. But once those player street signs went up and Haliburton grabbed his throat in a Madison Square Garden that Aaron Nesmith used as target practice, it was a wrap. The Knicks played 18 playoff games and trailed by double figures in 12 of them. They looked like a blessed team, until they didn't. Ultimately, the embarrassing Eastern Conference finals run cost head coach Tom Thibodeau his job. A new head coach will have to figure out how to get New York to the NBA Finals for the first time since 1999. If Thibodeau couldn't build a top-10 defense around Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns, who can? Last ranking: 9 Playoffs? Beat Lakers in West quarterfinals, beat Warriors in West semifinals, lost to Thunder in Western Conference finals What happened, and what's next? Anthony Edwards has now led the Timberwolves to more playoff series wins (four) than they had in the franchise's first 34 years combined (two). But it was the size and versatility of Minnesota's roster that allowed it to brutalize the Lakers and Warriors as much as Edwards' supposed legend killing. Once the Timberwolves ran into the Thunder, Minnesota's size didn't matter as much, and the Timberwolves didn't have enough to bother the Oklahoma City offense. The Timberwolves do have a first-round pick, one year after trading into the lottery and using multiple first-round picks. The big decisions come down to the player options of Julius Randle and Naz Reid, as well as Nickeil Alexander-Walker's unrestricted free agency. Minnesota also must consider Mike Conley's age (38 in October) as it looks to optimize its starting lineup around Edwards. Last ranking: 3 Playoffs? Swept Heat in East quarterfinals, lost to Pacers in East semifinals What happened, and what's next? The Cavaliers flexed the expected dominance in the first round against Miami, then failed to win a single home game against the Pacers. While they went out looking like a team that had its toughness and roster fit questioned yet again, Cleveland should feel like it should give itself another chance for a few reasons. Advertisement For one, Coach of the Year Kenny Atkinson had a great first season while fostering the best offense in the league. Second, the Pacers validated their performance against the Cavaliers by getting to the NBA Finals. Third, the Cavaliers were the lone team in the entire East to win a regular-season game against the Thunder. And fourth, All-Star Darius Garland played through a toe injury that caused him to miss multiple playoff games and required surgery that will likely delay the start of his 2025-26 season. The Cavs still have multiple All-NBA players in Donovan Mitchell and Defensive Player of the Year Evan Mobley. They have a case as the best team that didn't make the conference finals, especially in the East. But they do need better reserve frontcourt options, and Ty Jerome is a free agent. Last ranking: 11 Playoffs? Beat Clippers in West quarterfinals Game 7, lost Game 7 to Thunder in West semifinals What happened, and what's next? You can change the general manager, and you can change the head coach, but the fact remains that Nikola Jokić is as tough an out as it gets. On a team that had a dearth of depth and defense, Denver still had the MVP runner-up, and the Nuggets got the best version of their supporting cast in a Game 7 win against the LA Clippers. But while the Nuggets got better as that series went along, they eventually didn't have enough to pull off a similar upset on the road in Oklahoma City. The Nuggets don't have any draft picks, and Russell Westbrook declined his player option. David Adelman will remain the head coach after replacing Michael Malone in April. The question for Denver is how much it will consider breaking up a starting lineup that works to give its shallow roster more of a chance to get through a season. Last ranking: 13 Playoffs? Beat Rockets in West quarterfinals Game 7, lost to Timberwolves in West semifinals What happened, and what's next? The Warriors exorcised their Play-In Tournament ghosts by lighting up the Grizzlies, then avoided revisiting 3-1 lead ghosts by lighting up Houston in a Game 7 (just like old times). Unfortunately, the toll of the regular season, Play-In Tournament and a full playoff series against a physical Rockets team reared its ugly head in the semifinals. Stephen Curry's first career hamstring injury cut short his playoff run after a Game 1 win in Minnesota, and Jimmy Butler and Draymond Green couldn't lead Golden State to a single win to give Curry a chance of returning. Advertisement The Warriors are good, but have a poor combination of age and size. And that's before you get to their biggest offseason decision, which is what to do with Jonathan Kuminga. The Warriors need a center who can start and provide credible offense on both sides of the 3-point line; Brook Lopez may make the most sense. Last ranking: 2 Playoffs? Beat Magic in East quarterfinals, lost to Knicks in East semifinals What happened, and what's next? It seemed to be business as usual for the Celtics when they eliminated the Magic in five games and led Game 1 of the semifinals by 20 points in the second half. What transpired over the following week was a catastrophic series of events that might vaporize Boston's short-term title window. The Celtics blew three double-digit leads to the Knicks, a team they swept in the regular season, with the third blown lead capped by Jayson Tatum tearing his right Achilles tendon. That's not all, as Jaylen Brown underwent right knee surgery this offseason, and Kristaps Porziņģis was hampered all spring by post-viral syndrome. Boston now faces roster-management consequences that may involve 35-year-old Jrue Holiday and 39-year-old free agent Al Horford. Boston will need more guard help, especially if Holiday is moved. Last ranking: 5 Playoffs? Lost Game 7 to Warriors in West quarterfinals What happened, and what's next? Houston had a chance to pull off a 3-1 comeback on its home floor, but it ultimately made 34 fewer 3s than the Warriors did in the seven-game series. Houston resisted making a big move during the season and saw what its core looked like in a playoff setting. The Rockets knew they needed to acquire shooting to take the next step. Enter Kevin Durant! Over the last five seasons, 150 players have attempted at least 1,000 3s. In Houston's trade with Phoenix for Durant, the outgoing Dillon Brooks ranked 116th in 3-point percentage (35.4), while the outgoing Jalen Green ranked 134th (34.2). Durant ranked sixth (41.5). The biggest decision Houston has now is Fred VanVleet's team option, but business has already been underway for the rising Rockets. Head coach Ime Udoka has been extended, along with backup veteran center Steven Adams. The Rockets also traded the 10th pick in the draft to acquire Durant, who will be 37 when the season starts. Last ranking: 4 Playoffs? Lost to Timberwolves in West quarterfinals What happened, and what's next? Anthony Davis and Luka Dončić were traded for each other last season. Davis and Doncić combined for 31 games for a Dallas team that won 39 games. Davis and Dončić combined for 70 games for a Los Angeles team that won 50 games. It was an accomplishment for the Lakers to win the Pacific Division and get another All-NBA season out of LeBron James, this time under rookie head coach JJ Redick. But the Lakers lost all three clutch-time games against the Timberwolves in a series where they canceled their starting center and most of their bench and got pulverized in the possession battle. The Lakers have a new ownership situation now as they look to do a better job of building the roster around Dončić. James also has a player option. Last ranking: 6 Playoffs? Lost Game 7 to Nuggets in West quarterfinals What happened, and what's next? LA's powerful finish to the regular season with a fully healthy roster distracted many fans from the fact that the Clippers were never a contender last season. They had a regrettable playoff series against the Nuggets pockmarked by a blown lead, a buzzer-beater and multiple instances of being unable to respond to force at various points. Advertisement The Clippers were among the biggest overachievers in the league last season, anchored by the All-NBA performance of James Harden, a defense led by All-Defensive selection Ivica Zubac and bolstered by the return of Kawhi Leonard in what was supposed to be a transitional bridge year. Harden has a player option, as does veteran Nicolas Batum, while Amir Coffey and Ben Simmons are free agents. They're a constant hub for the rumor mill due to their ambiguous state of always competing while being led by old stars, but it would be imprudent for the Clippers to disrupt the team they have for another star or an ill-fitting piece. They remain focused on another guard to help reduce turnovers, as well as frontcourt help after struggling to deal with Aaron Gordon in the postseason. Last ranking: 12 Playoffs? Lost to Knicks in East quarterfinals What happened, and what's next? The Pistons still haven't won a home playoff game since 2008, as they couldn't stop Brunson. But Detroit now has a bona fide All-NBA player to build around in Cade Cunningham. There are major free-agency decisions with rotation players Tim Hardaway Jr., Malik Beasley and Dennis Schröder hitting the market. The Pistons also have to determine what the best role is for the returning Jaden Ivey (fibula). Cunningham and the Pistons need to reduce the turnovers. But those are good problems to have for Detroit compared to the start of the 2020s. Last ranking: 15 Playoffs? Lost to Celtics in East quarterfinals What happened, and what's next? Cole Anthony's last big contribution to Orlando was securing a playoff berth with a big performance against the Hawks in the Play-In Tournament. The Magic brought their brand of physical defense to the postseason but couldn't stop Tatum and went out in five against Boston. Orlando decided now was the time to make a move, sending Anthony, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and control of five first-round picks to Memphis for shooting guard Desmond Bane. On the court, it's a big upgrade, as Bane is a much better (and much younger) player and shooter than Caldwell-Pope at this point. But the Magic are pretty much locked into Bane, Jalen Suggs, Franz Wagner and Paolo Banchero moving forward. Last ranking: 10 Playoffs? Lost to Pacers in East quarterfinals Advertisement What happened, and what's next? The Bucks beat the Pacers three times in the regular season but couldn't overcome Indiana in the playoffs. Most critically for the Bucks, Damian Lillard tore his left Achilles tendon, an injury that immediately put Giannis Antetokounmpo's short-term future with the franchise on the clock. Antetokounmpo has a 2027 player option, and if he decides to leave, he would be the most coveted trade target of the year, given his age and production. Milwaukee hasn't won a playoff series in three years, firing two head coaches since winning the 2021 championship, and now Antetokounmpo heads into next season with Lillard injured and with Kyle Kuzma in place of Khris Middleton. Champions Brook Lopez and Bobby Portis (player option) can also be free agents. The Bucks should be in the market for a disruptive, defensive-minded point guard, whether Antetokounmpo stays or not. Last ranking: 14 Playoffs? Swept by Thunder in West quarterfinals What happened, and what's next? The Grizzlies couldn't stop Stephen Curry or Jimmy Butler III in the Play-In Tournament, and though Jaren Jackson Jr. dominated the Mavericks to secure a return to the playoffs for Memphis, it was a short-lived experience, lowlighted by a 51-point Game 1 loss at Oklahoma City and a 29-point blown lead in Game 3. Things will look different in Memphis; the only question is to what degree? Tuomas Iisalo shed the interim tag after replacing Taylor Jenkins as head coach at the end of March, and Memphis has already traded Bane to Orlando for Caldwell-Pope, Anthony and a handful of first-round picks. One of those selections is the 16th pick of the 2025 draft. Zach Edey will also miss the start of next season after ankle surgery. Santi Aldama and Luke Kennard are the biggest free agents. Memphis has needed size on the wing for years, and that should be the focus of its offseason. Last ranking: 19 Playoffs? Swept by Cavaliers in East quarterfinals What happened, and what's next? One of the ways to look at how much of a talent deficit the Heat were at this year: Butler and Andrew Wiggins were traded for each other, and those two combined to play in only 42 games for Miami. By contrast, Wiggins and Butler combined to play in 73 games for Golden State. Tyler Herro capped an All-Star season with an Erik Spoelstra-branded Play-In Tournament run to keep Miami's postseason appearance streak active and become the first team to go from 10th place to the playoffs. But all that got the Heat was the wrong end of the most lopsided playoff series in NBA playoff history, as they were outscored by 122 points by Cleveland. They lost a lottery pick for their efforts as well. All for the (Heat) Culture, I guess. The Heat can at least move forward in what will only be the second season without one of Alonzo Mourning, Dwyane Wade, LeBron James or Butler being on the roster since 1995. More athleticism is needed on a team that doesn't have the same high-end talent that it's accustomed to having. Advertisement Last ranking: 20 Playoffs? Did not qualify (eliminated by Grizzlies in Play-In Tournament) What happened, and what's next? Of all teams to get the top pick in the Cooper Flagg draft, it goes to a team that traded Luka Dončić eight months after winning the Western Conference. This is also the same franchise that was fined for tanking a year after making the 2022 Western Conference finals to secure the lottery pick that turned into Dereck Lively II. General manager Nico Harrison's team alternates deep runs with blessed lottery results, so anything is possible next season. Jason Kidd could use Flagg as a point forward, much like Kidd did when he coached a neophyte Antetokounmpo in Milwaukee a decade earlier. That should be a necessity of sorts, as Anthony Davis is much more effective as a play finisher, while Kyrie Irving (player option, ACL) shouldn't be expected to play at a high level at any point next season. Last ranking: 17 Playoffs? Did not qualify (eliminated by Heat in Play-In Tournament) What happened, and what's next? I warned in April that I didn't have a great feeling about the Hawks in the Play-In Tournament, and then they failed to secure a playoff spot after losing at Orlando and against the Heat. Atlanta was unable to stop Cole Anthony or Tyler Herro when it mattered most. Landry Fields was fired as general manager, and now former Pelicans general manager Bryson Graham is the senior vice president of basketball operations while working with newly appointed general manager Onsi Saleh. Atlanta has two first-round picks to use, including a lottery pick at No. 13. Clint Capela and Caris LeVert are free agents. The Hawks still need to find plus defenders despite the presence of Most Improved Player Dyson Daniels. Last ranking: 16 Playoffs? Did not qualify (eliminated by Heat in Play-In Tournament) Advertisement What happened, and what's next? Josh Giddey was two different players with the Bulls last season. The first version averaged 11.5 points, 6.7 assists and 1.2 3s per game while shooting 44.1 percent from the field and 33.1 percent from 3 in 43 games. The second version averaged 19.6 points, 8.0 assists and 2.0 3s per game while shooting 49.3 percent from the field and 43.8 percent from 3 in 27 games. That was the difference between Giddey with Zach LaVine in Chicago and Giddey after the Bulls traded LaVine. Now, Giddey is a restricted free agent for Chicago. The Play-In Tournament was a big disappointment as Chicago couldn't stop Herro, but the Bulls played very well to end the year and have a lottery pick. Chicago could use another interior scorer, especially with Nikola Vucević entering the final year of his contract. Last ranking: 18 Playoffs? Did not qualify (eliminated by Mavericks in Play-In Tournament) What happened, and what's next? For the second year in a row, the Kings failed to make it out of the Play-In Tournament. But at least they ended Golden State's season in 2024. Sacramento hosted the Mavericks and put forth a thoroughly uninspiring performance. General manager Monte McNair left the organization almost as soon as the game was over, and was replaced within a week by former Knicks general manager Scott Perry. Doug Christie will be the head coach going forward, shedding the interim tag he obtained after the December firing of Mike Brown. Sacramento had all of De'Aaron Fox, Tyrese Haliburton and Davion Mitchell on the same team and used a lottery pick last year on Devin Carter. Yet the Kings still don't have a point guard. They need to focus more on a defense that allowed the highest 3-point percentage in the league. Keon Ellis is the biggest free-agent decision. Last ranking: 23 Playoffs? Did not qualify (finished 34-48) What happened, and what's next? It's officially the end of an era, as this is the first offseason since 1997 that Gregg Popovich is not the head coach of the San Antonio Spurs. Popovich is now president of basketball operations, while Mitch Johnson will manage the team and lose the assistant tag. And it promises to be an extraordinary offseason for the Spurs ahead. First, Victor Wembanyama is a monk now. Second, that's the draft slot the Spurs won in the lottery. Third, Chris Paul is a free agent. And for fourth, Stephon Castle won Rookie of the Year after being the fourth pick of last year's draft. Add in that the Spurs also have the last pick of the lottery, and you can see where they have enough trade ammunition to make a big trade while Wembanyama still has two more years on a rookie contract. Just as long as they come out of this offseason with another big who can help Wembanyama on the boards, especially when Wembanyama is not on the floor. Advertisement Last ranking: 21 Playoffs? Did not qualify (finished 36-46) What happened, and what's next? The Trail Blazers have a lottery pick for the fourth straight draft, but it's outside the top 10, unlike the previous three drafts. That should be fine for a team that has way too many mouths to feed as is. Only the Jazz had a worse turnover percentage than the Trail Blazers last season. Matisse Thybulle has a player option, and Dalano Banton is a free agent, but other than that, Portland still has most of its rotation under contract. What will happen with the expensive Portland vets? The Trail Blazers were 8-4 when Anfernee Simons didn't play and had a better record without Deandre Ayton than they had with him, and Jerami Grant shot 37.3 percent from the field. Last ranking: 22 Playoffs? Did not qualify (finished 36-46) What happened, and what's next? An abject disaster of a season. The Michigan State owner (Mat Ishbia) now has a Michigan State general manager (Brian Gregory) and a Michigan State head coach (Jordan Ott). Ott was on Kenny Atkinson's staff in Cleveland and got his start in Atlanta's film room for recently fired former Suns head coach Mike Budenholzer. Points for continuity there, at least. Phoenix traded Durant, who won all of one playoff series in three seasons with the Suns, for the 10th pick in this draft, five second-round picks and the contracts of Green and Brooks. Devin Booker is on his eighth head coach now, and has only won a playoff game with one of them. It looks like he's going to have to play point guard yet again. Bradley Beal's no-trade clause is also still here. The one-year contracts of Tyus Jones, Mason Plumlee and Monte Morris have expired. The Suns need to come out of this offseason with some players who aren't opposed to making some plays defensively; someone like Russell Westbrook, though I doubt Westbrook would want to go there. Last ranking: 24 Playoffs? Did not qualify (finished 30-52) What happened, and what's next? The Raptors have a lot to look forward to in terms of talent infusion. Bruce Brown only played 18 games before being traded for Brandon Ingram, who didn't play at all. Scottie Barnes missed 17 games. RJ Barrett missed 24 games. Immanuel Quickley played in only 33 games. The only free agents are Chris Boucher and Garrett Temple, and Toronto gets a top-10 pick. Now, figuring out how to get all of those ball-dominant players to play together is going to be tricky, especially considering how pass-heavy Darko Rajaković prefers to operate. But the Raptors should be able to focus their offseason on complementary players. Advertisement Last ranking: 26 Playoffs? Did not qualify (finished 24-58) What happened, and what's next? The Sixers went to great lengths to keep their pick out of the hands of the Thunder, and that stands as their greatest accomplishment of the season now that they have the third pick. What they do on draft day will be fascinating, but this is still a team that can't be encouraged by the status of its top three players. What does Joel Embiid look like at 31 and a knee that hasn't allowed him to play more than six games in a row since Christmas 2023? What does Paul George look like at 35, after 15 NBA seasons? And how much more can you expect from Tyrese Maxey if he has to be the team's best player at 6-foot-2? Philadelphia needs another athletic defender with size, and it has big free-agency decisions to make at almost every position. Last ranking: 25 Playoffs? Did not qualify (finished 26-56) What happened, and what's next? The Nets will get to use a top-10 pick and add to a relatively barren talent base. Keon Johnson, a free agent, led the team in total field goal attempts. Only the Hornets had a worse field goal percentage than Brooklyn this season. There are a ton of free agents here who saw rotation minutes, including starters D'Angelo Russell, Cam Thomas and Ziaire Williams. De'Anthony Melton, who was traded for former starter Schröder and never played for Brooklyn after ACL surgery, is also a free agent. Brooklyn should target a center who can supplement what it gets from Nic Claxton. Last ranking: 28 Playoffs? Did not qualify (finished 21-61) What happened, and what's next? This franchise has had Chris Paul, Anthony Davis or Zion Williamson on the roster for 19 of the last 20 seasons. The Pels have two playoff series wins to show for it. Joe Dumars replaces David Griffin as the lead personnel executive, and Willie Green remains head coach. Advertisement Injuries were a major issue last season, but look at the roster. It's going to be an issue next season as well. How Green rebuilds a defense that completely collapsed last season should be a priority this offseason. The only rotation free agent is Bruce Brown, whom the Pelicans acquired in the Brandon Ingram trade. It's worth noting that the Pelicans traded the only first-round pick they got in the Ingram deal to Indiana for the rights to the 23rd pick in this year's draft. Last ranking: 29 Playoffs? Did not qualify (finished 19-63) What happened, and what's next? The Hornets have a top-five pick, which is more than they could say at this time last year. Charlotte also doesn't have any notable free agents, unless you count the veteran presence of 3-point percentage leader Seth Curry or soon-to-be 40-year-old big man Taj Gibson. No team was worse from the field than the Hornets last season, a combination of LaMelo Ball's chronic absences (in addition to the complete lack of continuity at the center position) as well as his crippling inefficiency when he did play. Last ranking: 27 Playoffs? Did not qualify (finished 18-64) What happened, and what's next? The Wizards are the first team to lose at least 64 games and not get control of a top-five pick in the following draft since the 1982 Cavaliers lost 67 games and watched the new champion Lakers draft Hall of Famer James Worthy with the first pick. Tough scene. Washington's brain trust all worked in Oklahoma City: president Michael Winger (assistant GM), general manager Will Dawkins (vice president of basketball operations) and head coach Brian Keefe (assistant under Scott Brooks and Billy Donovan), so that may serve as some inspiration. They just need to find their Shai Gilgeous-Alexander; for now, they have Jordan Poole. The only rotation player with an offseason decision to make is Khris Middleton, and it seems unlikely that he will decline a $33 million player option as he turns 34 this summer. Advertisement Last ranking: 30 Playoffs? Did not qualify (finished 17-65) What happened, and what's next? The Jazz were fined $100,000 for violating the Player Participation Policy, lost 60 games for the first time and wound up with the lowest pick possible. Like Durant said, tanking must be stressful. The only free agent from the rotation is power forward John Collins, and he has a player option. The Jazz recommitted to head coach Will Hardy with a multi-year extension, while hiring Austin Ainge (son of CEO Danny Ainge) as president of basketball operations. It appears that the Jazz are moving forward with a Celtics West brain trust, without a Jayson Tatum or a Jaylen Brown. Maybe they can get themselves a Jrue Holiday or Derrick White. (Top photo of Alex Caruso and Lu Dort: Matthew Stockman / Getty Images)

Indianapolis Star

an hour ago

• Indianapolis Star

'It sucked the soul out of us': Tyrese Haliburton's injury brings tragic end to magical season

OKLAHOMA CITY – Tyrese Haliburton was standing just a few feet back from the spot where he stumbled and fell on a drive in Game 5 of the NBA Finals when he began the drive that would end his season. With just more than 5 minutes to go in the first quarter of Game 7, the Pacers All-Star point guard caught a pass from teammate Obi Toppin a few feet above the 3-point arc and tried to push off of his right foot to drive and immediately crumpled to the floor again. In Game 5 -- though clearly hobbled with what was later diagnosed as a right calf strain -- he got up. This time, he didn't. Haliburton still had enough presence of mind to try to pass the basketball instead of simply taking a travel, but once he let it go and the Thunder stole the ball anyway, he became instantly and acutely aware that his sometimes trying but ultimately magical 2024-25 campaign was over and he'd made his last on-court contribution to the Pacers' first NBA Finals run in 25 years. He slapped the floor over and over again with his right hand, stopped to put his forearm under his face and then pounded the floor with his fist. After a timeout, his ashen-faced teammates circled around him and then carried him off the floor to the locker room. Re-live the Pacers incredible postseason run with our commemorative book Game 7 changed in that moment and it's possible much more about the Pacers' short-to-mid-term future did too. They fought on without Haliburton and actually went into halftime with a one-point lead. But they were ultimately overwhelmed by the Thunder's defense in a 103-91 defeat, allowing Oklahoma City to claim its first NBA title and missing out on the Pacers' best chance at one since they moved to the NBA from the ABA in 1976. Pacers coach Rick Carlisle said in his postgame press conference that he did not have a diagnosis on Haliburton to provide. Pacers public relations staff only released during the game that it was a lower right leg injury and that he would not return. "What happened with Tyrese, all of our hearts dropped," Carlisle said. "But he will be back. I don't have any medical information about what may or may not have happened, but he'll be back in time, and I believe he'll make a full recovery." However, Haliburton's father, John, told Lisa Salters -- sideline reporter for the broadcast for ABC and ESPN -- that it was an Achilles tendon injury and Haliburton was seen in the hallway of the Paycom Center on crutches. There was no confirmation yet Sunday night that the tendon had torn, but the fear of such a devastating injury that could cost the face of the Pacers' franchise not just his offseason but most if not all of next season was palpable in and around the Pacers' locker room. There is always a solemn feel to a locker room and its surroundings when a season ends, especially when it happens somewhat unexpectedly in a winner-take-all game. However, there were scenes in the hallway outside the Pacers' locker room before it opened to the media that matched what one would expect to see in a funeral home. There were support staff members in tears and men in suit jackets who couldn't find the words for the moment instead exchanging knowing hugs. Inside Haliburton's teammates acknowledged that as badly as they wanted to win for Haliburton when he went down, they were shaken by seeing a teammate, and a close friend, in that state. They were still shaken afterwards knowing that if he is, in fact, out for all or most of the 2025-26 season, the trajectory of the franchise could change drastically. Haliburton is the cornerstone of everything the Pacers have built over the past three seasons to turn what was a 25-win lottery team in 2021-22 into the second Pacers team to reach the NBA Finals. In the first two months after he was acquired from the Kings in a Feb. 2022 trade, the flashy but precise playmaker convinced the Pacers coaching staff and front office that instead of ripping the team all the way down to the studs and trying to stockpile draft picks by avoiding playoff contention for years, they should instead build the team in his image and they could get back to contention much quicker. That meant creating a team that would be selfless enough to run hard down the floor every play and keep the ball constantly moving until it found the man with the best shot. It meant a team full of players with chips on their shoulders from years of being doubted who also didn't get too caught up in their personal pursuits of validation to contribute to and celebrate each other's victories. Having Haliburton as the team's point guard and franchise player allowed the Pacers to create arguably the most joyful playing style of any team in the NBA and it took them further faster than they had ever expected with an Eastern Conference Finals run in 2023-24 then this season's trip to the NBA Finals. They had won games without him before due to injury, but seeing him go down with the season so close to its end was decidedly more tragic. It was even worse because Haliburton had started the game hot, knocking down three 3-pointers for nine points in the first seven minutes of the first quarter. "It's heart-breaking, man," center Thomas Bryant said. "You never want to see that with any of our players, especially with Ty. He's the heart and soul of our team. He's our point guard. He's our point god, you know? We all gathered around each other when he went down and said we're trying to do this for him, man. And it just sucks that we couldn't get that accomplished." It was more painful because the injury itself was the ultimate evidence of how badly Haliburton wanted to win for them and the risks he was willing to take to get the Pacers a championship. Haliburton played through the calf strain in Game 5, playing 34 minutes despite suffering the injury in the first quarter. He was clearly affected, scoring just four points on 0 of 6 shooting in a 120-109 loss, but he was adamant at halftime about staying in the game. He said afterward, "If I can walk, then I want to play." He took the same stance after an MRI the next day showed the calf strain. He spent three days going through treatment leading up to Game 6 and was in constant consultation with the team's athletic training staff. He also had meetings with his agents, coaches and members of the front office to make sure everyone was on the same page. Ultimately, he was given the go ahead to take a chance and play if he wanted, but it was made clear to him that there was risk of further injury involved. After Game 6 when he posted 14 points and five assists and the Pacers won to force a Game 7 and get within a game of a title for the first time in their NBA history, the risk felt validated. "I just look at it as I want to be out there to compete with my brothers," Haliburton said after Game 6. "These are guys that I'm willing to go to war with and we've had such a special year, and we have a special bond as a group, and you know, I think I'd beat myself up if I didn't give it a chance." But playing in Game 7 meant another spin of the roulette wheel with the Pacers' season but also the health of his leg on the line. For the first seven minutes he actually seemed less affected by the injury than he was in Game 6 right up until the point that he could no longer walk. Even after the injury Haliburton still stayed in the locker room at halftime and talked to the team to try to keep their spirits up. "He went out there and gave it his all," forward Obi Toppin said. "He definitely wanted to be there and we felt that. He was a soldier. He went until he couldn't." When he couldn't, the Pacers initially responded with force. The game was tied at 16 when Haliburton was injured and they fell behind 25-22 at the end of the first quarter. However, they won the second period 26-22 thanks to their defense, holding the Thunder to 7 of 22 shooting in the quarter including 2 of 13 from 3-point range. The Pacers also forced four turnovers and held the Thunder to 0.82 points per possession, taking a 48-47 lead at the break with an Andrew Nembhard 3-pointer with four seconds to go. They unraveled in the third, however, losing the period 34-20 with seven turnovers against eight field goals. Veteran backup point guard T.J. McConnell made six of the eight field goals in the period and scored 12 of the 20 points but also committed three of the turnovers. The Thunder defense, which led the NBA in steals this season, blitzed and otherwise harassed ball-handlers to force them into bad decisions. Oklahoma City finished the game with 14 steals and 23 turnovers caused which led to 32 points. "Up until they went on their run, we were moving the ball, taking care of it," McConnell said. "I didn't take care of it so well, obviously. Their pressure can really get to you but I was just trying to be aggressive and had some uncharacteristic turnovers but that happens. Just proud of the fight. We fought to the end. Credit to OKC. They are just really good." Some of the Pacers acknowledged that they couldn't really get past the injury. Toppin in particular struggled, having been so close to the injury. He ended up going scoreless in the game with on 0 of 4 shooting with three turnovers. "We needed Ty out there," Toppin said. "He's been good for us all year. For him to go down at the beginning of the game like that, it sucked the soul out of us. I'm not going to say everybody but I don't feel like I played good because I felt like I was thinking about it the whole game. I felt like it was my fault." The Pacers still fought back to cut a lead that was as great as 22 points in the fourth quarter down to 10 with 2:16 to play, and at other critical junctions in these playoffs, that was enough time for Haliburton to make miracles happen. After a brutal stretch to start the season, Haliburton was one of the most clutch performers in the league toward the end of the regular season and the shots he hit to either win or tie games in the postseason were the story of the playoffs. In Game 5 against the Bucks in the first round, Haliburton helped the Pacers come back from a seven-point deficit with 40 seconds to go in overtime, scoring the last five points with a 3-point play and then a game-winning layup with 1.1 seconds to go that clinched that series. In Game 2 against the Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference semifinals, he helped the Pacers rally from a 14-point deficit to start the fourth quarter and hit a game-winning 3-pointer after grabbing a rebound on his own missed free throw to get the win. He sent Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals against the Knicks into overtime with a buzzer-beating jumper after the Pacers trailed by 14 points with just 2:15 to play. And in Game 1 of Finals, he hit a game-winning jumper with 0.3 seconds left after the Pacers trailed by 14 with 8:58 left. But in Game 7, he wasn't available for another comeback and the Pacers had to watch blue and orange confetti come down around them as they went back to see him in the locker room. "He authored one of the great individual playoff runs in the history of the NBA with dramatic play after dramatic play," Carlisle said. "It was just something that no one's ever seen and did it as 1 of 17. You know, that's the beautiful thing about him. As great a player as he is, it's always a team thing. And so, our hearts go out to him."