State Champ Radio

by DJ Frosty

Current track

Title

Artist

Current show

State Champ Radio Mix

1:00 pm 7:00 pm

Current show

State Champ Radio Mix

1:00 pm 7:00 pm


Basketball

All products and services featured are independently chosen by editors. However, Billboard may receive a commission on orders placed through its retail links, and the retailer may receive certain auditable data for accounting purposes.
Ever since the Houston Rockets acquired all-star Kevin Durant in a trade with the Phoenix Suns during the summer, there has been a new spark and energy for the team. Although Cleveland is considered the favorite to go the NBA Finals, the new-look Rockets may give the Cavs some trouble on the court.

Explore

See latest videos, charts and news

The Houston Rockets take on the Cleveland Cavaliers at Rocket Arena in Cleveland, Ohio on Wednesday, Nov. 19. This game could be a preview of the NBA Finals this season, with the Rockets and Cavs expected to lead the pack in the west and east, respectively.

Rockets vs. Cavs Game, at a Glance

Date: Wednesday, Nov. 19

Location: Rocket Arena, Cleveland, Ohio

Tipoff: 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT

Network: ESPN

Stream: Sling TV

When Does Houston Rockets vs. Cleveland Cavs Game Start?

Houston Rockets vs. Cleveland Cavs game broadcasts live, with tipoff at 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT.

Where to Watch Houston Rockets vs. Cleveland Cavs Online

The Houston Rockets vs. Cleveland Cavs game broadcasts on ESPN, and it’s also livestreams on Sling Orange. Keep reading for more details on how cord-cutters can watch the Rockets-Cavs game online with Sling TV.

How to Watch Houston Rockets vs. Cleveland Cavs With Sling TV

A subscription to Sling Orange, which comes with ESPN, gets you access to live TV from popular cable channels.

You can watch cable networks, including ESPN2, ESPN3, Disney Channel, Freeform, MotorTrend, A&E, AMC, BBC America, BET, CNN, Comedy Central, Food Network, Fuse, HGTV, History Channel, IFC, Lifetime, Nick Jr., QVC, TBS, TNT, Travel Channel, Vice and many others.

Please note: Prices and channel availability depends on your local TV market. You can learn more about Sling TV here.

Which Celebrities Are Making Appearances During Rockets vs. Cavs?

It’s likely there will be a number of celebrities and recording artists in attendance during Wednesday night’s game — such as Houston Rockets fans J. Cole, Travis Scott, Simone Biles and others; as well as Cleveland Cavs fans Machine Gun Kelly, Usher, Drew Carey and others. Tune in to Sling TV to find out who’s sitting courtside.

Starting at 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT, Houston Rockets vs. Cleveland Cavs broadcast on ESPN, while it’s also available to livestream on Sling TV on Wednesday, Nov. 19.

Want more? For more product recommendations, check out our roundups of the best Xbox deals, studio headphones and Nintendo Switch accessories.

All products and services featured are independently chosen by editors. However, Billboard may receive a commission on orders placed through its retail links, and the retailer may receive certain auditable data for accounting purposes.
Ever since the Los Angeles Lakers acquired all-star Luka Doncic in a trade with the Dallas Mavericks last season, there has been a new spark and energy for the team. Although Oklahoma City is considered the favorite to win the NBA Finals again, the new-look Lakers may give the Thunder some trouble repeating on the court.

Explore

See latest videos, charts and news

The Los Angeles Lakers take on the Oklahoma City Thunder at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma on Wednesday, Nov. 12. This game could be a preview of the Western Conference Finals this season, with the Lakers and Thunder expected to lead the pack in the west.

When Does L.A. Lakers vs. Oklahoma City Thunder Game Start?

L.A. Lakers vs. Oklahoma City Thunder game broadcasts live, with tipoff at 9:30 p.m. ET/6:30 p.m. PT.

Where to Watch L.A. Lakers vs. Oklahoma City Thunder Online

L.A. Lakers vs. Oklahoma City Thunder game broadcasts on ESPN, and it’s also livestreams on Sling Orange. Keep reading for more details on how cord-cutters can watch the Lakers-Thunder game online with Sling TV.

How to Watch L.A. Lakers vs. Oklahoma City Thunder With Sling TV

A subscription to Sling Orange, which comes with ESPN, gets you access to live TV from popular cable channels.

You can watch cable networks, including ESPN2, ESPN3, Disney Channel, Freeform, MotorTrend, A&E, AMC, BBC America, BET, CNN, Comedy Central, Food Network, Fuse, HGTV, History Channel, IFC, Lifetime, Nick Jr., QVC, TBS, TNT, Travel Channel, Vice and many others.

Please note: Prices and channel availability depends on your local TV market. You can learn more about Sling TV here.

Which Celebrities Are Making Appearances During Lakers vs. Thunder?

It’s likely there will be a number of celebrities and recording artists in attendance during Wednesday night’s game — such as L.A. Lakers fans Snoop Dogg, Ice Cube, Flea, Anthony Kiedis, Kendrick Lamar and others; as well as Oklahoma City Thunder fans Kristin Chenoweth, Bill Hader, Olivia Munn, Hanson and others. Tune in to Sling TV to find out who’s sitting courtside on celebrity row.

Starting at 9:30 p.m. ET/6:30 p.m. PT, L.A. Lakers vs. Oklahoma City Thunder broadcast on ESPN, while it’s also available to livestream on Sling TV on Wednesday, Nov. 12.

Want more? For more product recommendations, check out our roundups of the best Xbox deals, studio headphones and Nintendo Switch accessories.

Lenny Wilkens, a basketball legend who amassed a decorated playing career ahead of his shift into coaching, has died, according to reports. Known as a savvy playmaker and one of many player-coach hybrids, Lenny Wilkens’ contributions to the sport were recognized by the NBA in both fields.

ESPN reports that Lenny Wilkens, a native of Brooklyn, N.Y., didn’t play basketball until his senior year of high school. While Wilkens was not described as a superhuman physical specimen, his knowledge and feel for the game as a playmaker catapulted him in the eyes of sports media and observers to the tune of nine NBA All-Star player selections.

Wilkens attended college at Providence College, leading the school to the NIT finals in 1960. He was drafted sixth overall in the 1960 NBA Draft by the St. Louis Hawks, spending eight seasons there before heading to the Seattle Supersonics, leading the league in assists during the 1969-70 campaign.

Love Hip-Hop Wired? Get more! Join the Hip-Hop Wired Newsletter

We care about your data. See our privacy policy.

From 1969 to 1972, Wilkens was a player-coach for the Supersonics, and did the same for the Portland Trailblazers before becoming a full-time head coach for one season. Wikens returned to Seattle to coach his former team for eight seasons, winning the NBA championship in 1978.

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver shared a statment in honor of Wilkens.

“Lenny Wilkens represented the very best of the NBA — as a Hall of Fame player, Hall of Fame coach, and one of the game’s most respected ambassadors,” said Silver in the statement. “So much so that, four years ago, Lenny received the unique distinction of being named one of the league’s 75 greatest players and 15 greatest coaches of all time.”

Wilkens was first inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame as a player in 1989, 1998 as a coach, and 2010 as a member of the “Dream Team.”

Lenny Wilkens passed away at his home in Medina, Wash. He is survived by his wife, Marilyn Reed, their three children, Leesha, Randy, and Jamee, and a host of grandchildren.

Photo: Getty

Source: Paras Griffin / Getty

Years after retired NBA star Charles Oakley sued New York Knicks owner James Dolan for having security at Madison Square Garden forcibly remove him from the arena, the court case has taken a new turn. Last Friday (Oct. 31), a court ordered Oakley to cough up some big money for the 2017 incident.

According to Complex, U.S. Magistrate Judge Robyn F. Tarnofsky ruled that the former Knicks power forward has to pay $642,000 to James Dolan for legal fees to cover the attorney costs connected to MSG’s effort to recover Oakley’s deleted text messages related to the 2017 incident.

Who knew it costs so much to recover deleted text messages?

While $642,000 seems like a lot of money simply for recovering deleted text messages, it’s a lot less than the $1.5 million that Dolan’s legal team originally asked for relating to the matter. So we guess it’s a “win” of sorts for Oak. The judge reduced the bill after finding the firm’s hourly rates and time entries didn’t match up with its original request and landed on a total of $642,337.

Love Hip-Hop Wired? Get more! Join the Hip-Hop Wired Newsletter

We care about your data. See our privacy policy.

While Charles Oakley originally sued James Dolan for the incident eight years ago, things didn’t exactly break his way and have seemingly become a headache for the man ever since.

Per Complex:

The case was dismissed in 2021, but a federal appeals court revived parts of it in 2023, allowing specific claims to proceed. While the underlying case continues, the fee ruling represents a setback for Oakley. 

MSG was granted the right to seek legal fees in July after the court found that Oakley failed to preserve text messages from the period following the incident. MSG’s attorneys said the process of attempting to recover those messages accounted for more than $1.3 million of their time.

Oakley’s attorney, Valdi Licul, said in a statement that the defense team plans to appeal the ruling, adding, “The court denied most of MSG’s wildly inflated fee request… we disagree that MSG is entitled to any recovery.”

Given James Dolan’s very deep pockets, we feel this won’t turn out too well for the beloved retired New York Knicks player. Just sayin’.

What do y’all think about this latest ruling in the case of Charles Oakley vs. James Dolan? Fair or foul? Let us know in the comments section below.

All products and services featured are independently chosen by editors. However, Billboard may receive a commission on orders placed through its retail links, and the retailer may receive certain auditable data for accounting purposes.

Trending on Billboard

Ever since the Timberwolves and the Knicks made a blockbuster trade last season, the NBA teams’ fates have been tied together. It was one of those rare instances where both teams improved, with Minnesota acquiring all-star Julius Randle and New York getting Karl-Anthony Towns in the trade. And now, one season later, the teams are still bitter rivals on the court.

Explore

See latest videos, charts and news

The Minnesota Timberwolves take on the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden in Manhattan on Wednesday, Nov. 5. This game could be a preview of the NBA Finals this season, with the Wolves and Knicks expected to lead the pack in the Western and Eastern Conferences, respectively.

When Does Minnesota Timberwolves vs. New York Knicks Game Start?

Minnesota Timberwolves vs. New York Knicks game broadcasts live, with tipoff at 7:30 p.m. ET/4:30 p.m. PT.

Where to Watch Minnesota Timberwolves vs. New York Knicks Online

Minnesota Timberwolves vs. New York Knicks game broadcasts on ESPN, and it’s also livestreams on Sling Orange. Keep reading for more details on how cord-cutters can watch the Wolves-Knicks game online with Sling TV.

How to Watch Minnesota Timberwolves vs. New York Knicks With Sling TV

A subscription to Sling Orange, which comes with ESPN, gets you access to live TV from popular cable channels.

You can watch cable networks, including ESPN2, ESPN3, Disney Channel, Freeform, MotorTrend, A&E, AMC, BBC America, BET, CNN, Comedy Central, Food Network, Fuse, HGTV, History Channel, IFC, Lifetime, Nick Jr., QVC, TBS, TNT, Travel Channel, Vice and many others.

Please note: Prices and channel availability depends on your local TV market. You can learn more about Sling TV here.

Which Celebrities Are Making Appearances During T-Wolves vs. Knicks?

It’s likely there will be a number of celebrities and recording artists in attendance during Wednesday night’s game — such as New York Knicks fans Bad Bunny, Cardi B, Ice Spice, Fat Joe, Alicia Keys & Swizz Beatz, Timothée Chalamet, Spike Lee and others; as well as Minnesota Timberwolves fans Lil B, Josh Duhamel, Craig Kilborn and others. Tune in to Sling TV to find out who’s sitting courtside on celebrity row.

Starting at 7:30 p.m. ET/4:30 p.m. PT, Minnesota Timberwolves vs. New York Knicks broadcast on ESPN, while it’s also available to livestream on Sling TV on Wednesday, Nov. 5.

Want more? For more product recommendations, check out our roundups of the best Xbox deals, studio headphones and Nintendo Switch accessories.

Trending on Billboard

Once upon a time, NBA Hall of Famer Allen Iverson attempted to try his hand as a rapper in the early 2000s, but he eventually scrapped plans for his debut album amid backlash, and couldn’t help but feel embarrassed when looking back on his brief time rapping.

Explore

See latest videos, charts and news

AI joined Joe & Jada earlier this week, where he recalled feeling humiliated when meeting the late NBA commissioner David Stern, who read explicit lyrics aloud from Iverson’s “40 Bars” single.

“When I did that bulls—t-a— rap album,” he began. “I was so embarrassed when I hear that s—t now. But we don’t spend no time on that. The most embarrassing s—t was when I did the album, I had to come here to meet with [David Stern].”

For context, Iverson rapped under the alias Jewelz, and sparked controversy with his “40 Bars” single in 2000, which some believed contained sexist and homophobic lyrics.

The Philadelphia 76ers icon met with Stern to discuss his budding rap career and the backlash surrounding his upcoming Misunderstood album, which was originally titled Non-Fiction and was scrapped by late 2001.

“I’m sitting there looking like, ‘Yo, f—k is he doing?’ The man start reading the lyrics,” AI recounted. “Man, I wanted to crawl up under the table. I was so embarrassed, man. The curse words, everything. That s—t was so embarrassing.”

As if the weight of the 76ers franchise and city of Philly wasn’t enough, Iverson was often butting heads with Stern. The NBA even implemented an official dress code in 2005, which was seemingly instituted to put an end to Iverson’s streetwear style.

While his rap career is in the rear-view, Iverson has done plenty of reminiscing in October. The NBA legend released his Misunderstood memoir and Allen Iv3rson documentary on Amazon Prime Video earlier this month.

Watch a clip from the interview below:

All products and services featured are independently chosen by editors. However, Billboard may receive a commission on orders placed through its retail links, and the retailer may receive certain auditable data for accounting purposes.

Trending on Billboard

With the 2025-26 NBA season in full swing and Halloween right around the corner, Nike is entering spooky season with holiday-themed basketball sneakers worth adding to your collection. From “Slim Reaper” KD18’s to a “Candy Corn Queen” A’One shoe, the brands most popular styles are receiving a fun, fright night makeover. Shop our five favorite Halloween-themed Nike basketball sneakers below.

Explore

See latest videos, charts and news

Nike

KD18 “Slim Reaper” Basketball Shoes

Starting off with the KD18’s, the signature basketball shoe for Kevin Durant, gets a Slim Reaper transformation inspired by the hoopers intimidating and unstoppable offensive presence that “defenders never see it coming,” according to Nike. The silhouette features a glow-in-the-dark outsole and a striking, slender skeleton hand design across the midfoot cage. If you’re looking to put fear in the heart of your opponent, grab of these special-edition KD18’s below for $170.

Nike

Ja 3 “Spooky Season” Basketball Shoes

It’s scary times when you see Ja Morant charing full speed at you on the court. In honor of his ghostly quickness and bone-chilling bounce when attempting one of his viral posterizing dunks, Nike has kitted out the Ja 3 with a “spooky season” colorway. This special Halloween themed design features a zombie-esque aesthetic with a striking green and lemon yellow pairing and an eye-catching vertical red Swoosh logo next to a graffiti-sprayed “A”—and grimy scratch marks as a final touch. Go full zombie mode on the hardwood with the Nike Ja 3 Halloween.

Nike

A’One “Candy Corn Queen” Basketball Shoes

Whether you love or hate candy corn, you can’t deny that this special edition colorway is a sweet treat for Halloween. Dubbed “Candy Corn Queen,” 4x WNBA MVP A’ja Wilson’s signature shoe includes a vibrant safety orange and chrome yellow gradient that pops across a midsole resembling candy-like textures. If you have a sweet tooth, these Nike’s will satisfy your craving.

Nike

Book 1 “Scorpion” Basketball Shoes

The freaks come out at night, especially with latest Book 1 Halloween colorway. What may look like a sleek and minimal design with the light on, in the dark (or with a UV light) fans will notice creepy crawlers riddled all over the sneaker. There’s also a glow-in-the-dark outsole to add even more spooky elements. Devin Booker’s signature shoe receives a black-rainbow leather upper comes with a printed scorpion pattern hidden in plain sight.

Nike

G.T. Hustle 3 “Haunted Heights” Basketball Shoes

“Haunting Heights” is a fitting name for the 7’5 superstar Victor Wembanyama. The tallest guy on the court is also a guy who can do everything. From dribbling, shooting, to blocking shots and defending, there’s nothing this San Antonio Spur can’t do. Coaches must lie awake at night haunted by trying plan schemes to stop Wemby. His Halloween-themed basketball shoe features a fiery orange tint with flame-motifs throughout.

All products and services featured are independently chosen by editors. However, Billboard may receive a commission on orders placed through its retail links, and the retailer may receive certain auditable data for accounting purposes.
The WNBA is carving out the Saturday afternoon space for nationally-televised games to showcase the best the league has to offer. And now here’s an opportunity for fans to watch star players Kahleah Copper and Angel Reese in action.

Explore

Explore

See latest videos, charts and news

See latest videos, charts and news

On Saturday (June 21), Phoenix Mercury vs. Chicago Sky takes place at Wintrust Arena in Chicago, Illinois.

When Does Phoenix Mercury vs. Chicago Sky Start?

Phoenix Mercury vs. Chicago Sky airs live, with a start time of 1 p.m. ET/10 a.m. PT.

Where to Watch Phoenix Mercury vs. Chicago Sky Online

The Mercury vs. Sky game broadcasts on ABC. It will be available to livestream on Hulu + Live TV.

How to Watch Phoenix Mercury vs. Chicago Sky with Hulu + Live TV

Phoenix vs. Chicago on ABC is available to watch with Hulu + Live TV. Prices for the cable alternative start at $82.99 per month, while each plan comes with Hulu, Disney+ and ESPN+ at no additional cost. Sign up for a 3-day free trial to watch the WNBA game for free.

Hulu + Live TV is best for those who want a top-tier streaming bundle that combines live TV and on-demand titles. The streaming service also has many other networks, including NBC, CBS, ESPN, ESPN2, FS1, FS2, Fox, CBS Sports Network, Hallmark Channel, BET, CMT, Disney Channel, Discovery Channel and more.

With tipoff at 1 p.m. ET/10 a.m. PT, the Phoenix Mercury vs. Chicago Sky broadcasts on ABC on Saturday (June 21). The game is available to livestream with Hulu + Live TV.

Which Celebrities Are Making Appearances During WNBA Game?

It’s likely there may be a number of celebrities and famous recording artists in attendance during the WNBA game, such as Sky fans Barack Obama, Chance the Rapper, Dwyane Wade, Gabrielle Union and others.

Want more? For more product recommendations, check out our roundups of the best Xbox deals, studio headphones and Nintendo Switch accessories.

All products and services featured are independently chosen by editors. However, Billboard may receive a commission on orders placed through its retail links, and the retailer may receive certain auditable data for accounting purposes.
Caitlin Clark is continuing her partnership with Wilson by dropping all-new Clark-branded basketballs in colorful styles.

Created to inspire aspiring basketball stars everywhere, the collection includes four new balls available to pre-order now on Wilson’s website. All the signature styles will be available starting June 23. Prospective buyers can be notified when the collection drops by plugging in their email and first name via Wilson’s website. Prices range from $124.95 to $27.95.

The four styles are made of game-ready materials with Clark’s signature embossed on the front along with Wilson branding. You’ve got the Caitlin Clark Evo NXT Embrace Game Basketball, Caitlin Clark WNBA Oasis Basketball, Caitlin Clark Aspire UV Basketball and Caitlin Clark Envision Basketball. With so many styles to choose from, we’re breaking down the collection to help you make an educated decision before adding to cart.

Explore

Explore

See latest videos, charts and news

See latest videos, charts and news

Wilson

Caitlin Clark Evo NXT Embrace Game Basketball

An orange and black basketball with sound wave graphics.

Retailing for $124.95, this ball features a slew of unique performance tech to up your game including a micro-touch grip, pebbled composite channels to enhance grip and control during dribbling and a super soft core for elite control. The ball is a standard orange hue, equipped with co-branding featuring decibel meter graphics in purple and blue reflecting in-game decibel levels from an audio file of the sound from an Indiana Fever game. Black contrasting stripes offer the ball visual interest.

Wilson

Caitlin Clark WNBA Oasis Basketball

A blue and white basketball with colorful abstract graphics.

A colorful addition to Clark’s signature collection, the Oasis model features hand-drawn, abstract patterns of water, fairways and sand traps in colorful hues meant to reflect the basketball star’s “happy places.” From the golf course to the court, this ball comes equipped with a Pure Feel indoor/outdoor cover to take your games anywhere, along with pebbled composite channels and WNBA-inspired alternating panels. This model is meant to inspire athletes to find their own “oasis” whatever that may be.

Wilson

Caitlin Clark Aspire UV Basketball

A gray and red basketball that changes in the sunlight.

Meant for pickup games out in the sun, the Aspire model changes before your very eyes. When exposed to sunlight, the ball transforms to reveal inspirational pre-game pep talks, sharing her words of wisdom and encouragement to athletes everywhere ahead so you can get your head right ahead of a game, pro or otherwise. Like the other balls in this collection, the Aspire is fixed with game-enhancing tech like deeper channels between the panels of the ball that allow for more grip and better ball control, along with a durable all-surface cover that makes the ball suitable to use on any court surface.

Wilson

Caitlin Clark Envision Basketball

A light blue and dark blue basketball with inspirational graphics.

Retailing for $27.95, the Envision model is the simplest of the bunch, but don’t let that stop you from snagging it. This ball’s design channels Clark’s “Dream Big” mantra thanks to abstract hidden messages featured throughout. This ball includes the aforementioned durable all-surface cover, along with deep channels and a unique air retention lining. The model is a pastel blue with darker blue accents and logo detailing that creates contrast. One or all of these basketballs would make a great gift for the basketball fan in your life. Even better if they love Clark.

If you can’t wait for the drop, Clark’s other collaborative balls are just as good and still available to shop now on Wilson’s website.

Wilson

Caitlin Clark Fever Rising Basketball

A deep blue and red basketball with contrasting white graphics.

This basketball is intensely striking, sure to catch your eye during a game. The ball is navy and red with yellow accents that harken to Clark’s team Indiana Fever. The back panels feature a triple-stacked Caitlin Clark graphic, with her name and number 22 integrated into the Indiana Fever-inspired pattern. This basketball features deep channels to improve grip and control accompanied by an all-surface cover that’s perfect for spontaneous games outdoors.

Wilson

Caitlin Clark Journey Series Basketball

A black ball with confetti-like graphics.

Retailing for $21.95, this basketball model is celebratory in nature. The Journey Series style is made to honor the stops along the way of Clark’s basketball career that has shaped her into the star she is. The all-black silhouette visually captures Caitlin’s shooting chart from her college career where she’s scored every point, with each dot symbolizing a colorway from Caitlin’s teams from high school to college to pro. Like the other models in Caitlin’s collection, this ball comes equipped with a durable all-surface cover along with deep channels and a specialized inflation retention lining.

Source: Getty Images / Indiana Pacers / New York Knicks
It’s no longer orange and blue skies after the NBA’s “most overrated player,” Tyrese Haliburton, and the Indiana Pacers once again sent New York Knicks, Ben Stiller, Timothee Chalamet, Spike Lee, and the rest of the diehard Knickerbocker fans on summer break.

The New York Knicks and their fans thought their 52-year championship drought was coming to an end, but unfortunately, the Indiana Pacers had other plans.

Last night, in a game that started close, the Pacers eventually cruised to a 125-108 Game 6 win over the Knicks, punching their ticket to the NBA Finals for the first time in 25 years to face the Oklahoma City Thunder, where they hope they can win the franchise’s first NBA title.
Out of the gate, the Knicks didn’t let the Gainbridge Fieldhouse crowd affect them, keeping the contest close, trailing by only four points at halftime. But it was clear they couldn’t keep pace with the Pacers, who turned it on in the second half, ending the third quarter with an 11-point lead that the Knicks couldn’t overcome.
It didn’t help that the Knicks’ offense was stifled by the Pacers’ defense in the second half. The clutch player of the year and Knicks’ top offensive weapon, Jalen Brunson, was held to just 19 points and shot 4/10 at the half because Andrew Nembhard locked him down.

In Games 1-5, Andrew Nembhard defended Jalen Brunson for 49 match-ups, allowing 51.0 player points per 100 match-ups
In Game 6, Nembhard defended Brunson for 55 match-ups, giving up just 9.1 player points per 100 match-ups
He was sensational. pic.twitter.com/VQNoJSo22x
— Caitlin Cooper (@C2_Cooper) June 1, 2025

Turnovers Killed The Knicks’ Chances
The Pacers also forced 18 Knicks turnovers, scoring 25 fastbreak points, a recipe for disaster for any team trying to win an Eastern Conference Finals series.
After being stifled in Game 5, Tyrese Haliburton returned to form, scoring 21 points and dishing out 13 assists. However, it was Pascal Siakam’s 31-point performance that helped put the Knicks away for good, earning him the series MVP award, which also provided a classic meme moment.

Tyrese Haliburton thought that Larry Bird ECF MVP trophy was his🤣#NBA #Pacers pic.twitter.com/59eF189mNI
— Caleb Nixon (@calebnixonmedia) June 1, 2025

Jalen Brunson Still Has Confidence In This Knicks Team
Despite solid offensive efforts from OG Anunoby, who led all Knicks scorers with 24 points, and Karl-Anthony Towns with 22, it just wasn’t enough.
It didn’t help that Josh Hart, who has been reliable all season, didn’t leave his mark on the game, scoring only 4 points.
Following the game, Brunson says he still believes in this Knicks team as it is constructed, telling reporters he has “The most confidence, overconfident, seriously,” Brunson said. “There’s not an ounce of any type of doubt that I’m confident with this group.”

Jalen Brunson was asked if he has confidence that Tom Thibodeau is the right coach for the Knicks moving forward:
“Is that a real question right now? You just asked me if I believe if he’s the right guy. Yes.” pic.twitter.com/FRjCO8genL
— Knicks Videos (@sny_knicks) June 1, 2025

A Magical Season Comes To A Bitter End
Jalen Brunson and the New York Knicks looked like they were on the verge of a special season after two big playoff series wins, including knocking off the defending champion Boston Celtics.
But it would turn out their biggest test would be the franchise’s longtime rivals, the Indiana Pacers, who have played boogeyman to the Knicks franchise for many years.
Coming into the series, the Knicks had all the momentum, especially after pulling off one of the biggest comebacks in playoff history en route to denying the Celtics the opportunity to defend their 2023-24 NBA championship.
It would turn out that the Knicks would get a taste of their own medicine after they dramatically blew a significant lead in game 1 of the Eastern Conference finals, which led to an insane Tyrese Haliburton buzzer-beater to force overtime, where the Knicks came up short, and eventually would go on to lose the series.

TYRESE HALIBURTON BUZZER BEATER FORCES OT 🤯🤯🤯
AND HE DID THE CHOKE SIGN TO THE KNICKS!!! pic.twitter.com/0jufr6naNl
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) May 22, 2025

As you can imagine, Knicks fans’ emotions are all over the place. Some are proud of their Knickerbockers, while others feel a change is needed, calling for the firing of head coach Tom Thibodeau, whose rotations and refusal to use his bench were once again the subject of discussion.

Tom Thibodeau is just Doc Rivers but plays his stars 48 minutes a game. pic.twitter.com/d2fVTya9Cj
— chickenfried🍗 (@realzachbrown) May 26, 2025

Welp, there’s always next year.
You can see more reactions in the gallery below.

1. A proud Knicks fan

I don’t care I’m damn proud of this team.A season full of memoriesTwo All Star startersBack to back 50 win seasonsGreat series win vs DetroitAn upset for the ages vs BostonFirst ECF in 25 yearsIt was an amazing season pic.twitter.com/JWJipMcEsq— KNICKS BEAST (@KnicksBeast) June 1, 2025

HipHopWired Featured Video

CLOSE