๐ Good morning to all, but especially to …
THE INDIANA PACERS
The Indiana Pacers have officially secured their spot in the NBA Finals, outpacing all Eastern Conference rivals. They defeated the New York Knicks 125-108 in Game 6 on Saturday, marking the franchise`s first Finals appearance since 2000.
Tyrese Haliburton bounced back from a quiet Game 5 with 21 points and 13 assists. However, it was series MVP Pascal Siakam who led the charge for Indiana with 31 points. Seven different Pacers players scored in double figures, highlighting the team`s depth.
Similar to their upcoming opponent, Oklahoma City, the Pacers possess star power. Haliburton has seemingly responded to being voted `most overrated` by his peers with strong playoff performances. Siakam, already an NBA champion, proved to be a versatile and effective scorer against New York`s top defenders.
Key contributions also came from role players like Andrew Nembhard, who defended Jalen Brunson effectively while adding 14 points, eight assists, and six steals. Aaron Nesmith provided solid defense on Brunson throughout the series. Myles Turner is finally headed to the Finals after years of trade rumors, and Obi Toppin added 18 points off the bench to eliminate his former team.
While they may not represent the largest media markets, the Finals matchup between Indiana and Oklahoma City promises to be compelling, featuring stars, significant depth, and well-coached, disciplined teams. The quality of basketball should speak for itself.
Early storylines for the Finals, which begin Thursday, include:
- Analysis highlighting how Oklahoma City can rely on Chet Holmgren if Jalen Williams faces struggles, similar to his performance against the Nuggets in the second round.
- Commentary on Indiana`s balanced scoring, with all five starters averaging double digits and their bench being the third-highest scoring unit in the postseason. The Pacers have defied expectations throughout their playoff run.
๐ Honorable Mentions
- LeBron James reflected on his first season playing alongside Luka Donฤiฤ.
- Speculation suggests a Kevin Durant trade to the Timberwolves could be a possibility this offseason.
- Scottie Scheffler won the Memorial Tournament, his third victory in his last four starts. He became the first player to win the event in consecutive years since Tiger Woods and earned a substantial amount of money.
- Josh Allen and Hailee Steinfeld reportedly got married.
- Russell Wilson expressed strong support for Malik Nabers.
- Dan Campbell expressed excitement about facing the Lions` challenging 2025 schedule.
- The Eagles and 49ers are reportedly finalizing a deal that would send Bryce Huff to San Francisco.
- The USWNT secured a 3-0 victory over China.
- Frances Tiafoe and Tommy Paul became the first American men to reach the French Open quarterfinals since Andre Agassi in 2003.
- Jose Resendiz achieved an upset victory over Caleb Plant.
- NAIA program LSU Shreveport completed college baseball`s first-ever undefeated season, finishing 59-0.
- Josh Harrison announced his retirement from baseball.
- Michigan State is in the process of hiring a new athletic director.
- Ryan Blaney won the Cracker Barrel 400 race.
๐ And not such a good morning for …
THE NEW YORK KNICKS
The Knicks reached their furthest point in the playoffs since 1999, but their series loss to the Pacers highlighted areas where they still need to improve. Analysis explores the team`s path forward, focusing on a key weakness.
- Commentary suggests the Knicks struggled significantly when neither of their All-NBA caliber players were on the court. While the offense was strong enough without one (if the other played), the defense suffered. When both played together, a solid offense couldn`t compensate for defensive shortcomings, particularly surrounding Karl-Anthony Towns and Jalen Brunson with wing players.
Reports indicated that Towns` defensive issues were a source of frustration within the team during the season.
The future of coach Tom Thibodeau is also a point of discussion. Although he reportedly has strong internal support, some analysis suggests that a coaching change could potentially help the Knicks reach the next level.
๐จ Not so Honorable Mentions
- Jake Oettinger described being pulled from Game 5 minutes after it started as `embarrassing.`
- Vanderbilt became the first No. 1 seed since the current format began in 1999 to fail to reach the regional final in the college baseball tournament.
- Folarin Balogun (ankle) is among several players who will miss the USMNT training camp due to injury.
๐ Post-June 1 Cut, Trade Candidates, Plus Biggest Needs for Contenders
June 1 marks a significant date on the NFL calendar. After this date, releasing expensive veteran players becomes more financially manageable for teams. This is because they can designate players as `post-June 1 cuts` (a rule allowing up to two such designations since 2006, exemplified this year by Aaron Rodgers), which permits spreading the resulting `dead money` salary cap hit over two years instead of one. Symbolically and financially, this date influences team decisions.
However, players who are traded cannot be designated as post-June 1 moves for this cap benefit. Despite this, the period following June 1 still opens up possibilities for potential trades or signings. Players like Kirk Cousins, Tyreek Hill, and Jalen Ramsey are highlighted as top candidates for potential moves. Analysis includes potential landing spots and predictions for these players.
Another reason the post-June 1 period is interesting is that player signings after this date do not count against the formula used to determine compensatory draft picks. This often leads to a new wave of free-agent activity. Analysis also identifies the biggest remaining roster needs for contending teams, such as:
- Commentary suggesting the Detroit Lions need help at the EDGE rusher position. Despite reportedly attempting to trade up for a pass rusher in the draft, they largely left the position unaddressed. While Aidan Hutchinson`s return from injury is important, the team could benefit from added pass-rushing talent.
โฝ PSG Dominates Inter in Record-Setting UEFA Champions League Final Victory
Paris Saint-Germain put their past UEFA Champions League frustrations behind them with a dominant, record-setting performance. Their future also looks incredibly promising. PSG defeated Inter Milan 5-0 in the final, marking the largest victory margin in the history of the UCL final.
- Achraf Hakimi capped a brilliant passing sequence with a goal in the 12th minute. Desire Doue doubled the lead eight minutes later with a deflected shot.
- Doue scored a second magnificent goal in the 63rd minute, effectively ending Inter`s comeback hopes, before Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Senny Mayulu added late goals.
- This victory secures the club`s first ever Champions League title.
At just 19, Doue made history as the youngest player with a goal and an assist (let alone two goals and an assist) in a UCL final. The team features significant young talent, including Mayulu (19), Joao Neves (20), Nuno Mendes (22), and Kvaratskhelia (24), alongside experienced players like Hakimi (26) and Ousmane Dembele (28). Analysis suggests this team is currently supreme and this victory could be just the beginning.
- Commentary highlights PSG`s versatile style under Luis Enrique, capable of controlling possession, executing rapid counter-attacks, and dominating duels defensively. With an average age significantly younger than their opponents in the final, they are positioned for future success.
However, despite this triumph, analysis doesn`t currently place PSG at the very top of the list for 2025-26 Champions League contenders.
Regardless of future predictions, this achievement is historic. What was anticipated as a transitional or building year resulted in PSG completing a quadruple: the Champions League, Ligue 1, the Coupe de France, and the Trophee Des Champions. Former superstar players like Kylian Mbappe and Neymar reportedly congratulated the current team for accomplishing what previous squads, including those featuring Lionel Messi, were unable to do.
More news regarding PSG`s victory and related events:
- Coach Luis Enrique paid tribute to his late daughter.
- Discussion ensued about which teams might still be considered `cursed` in the competition.
- Police clashes with fans in Paris after the game resulted in two fatalities and hundreds of arrests.
- Simone Inzaghi is reportedly likely to depart from his role at Inter Milan.
โพ MLB Power Rankings and Weekend Roundup
Early June isn`t typically the time of year for Major League Baseball teams to make definitive statements about their season trajectory. However, the Los Angeles Dodgers delivered one by winning two out of three games against the New York Yankees in their first series meeting since their World Series matchups.
The series featured Shohei Ohtani`s two home runs contributing to a Friday comeback win and a dominant 18-2 victory for Los Angeles on Saturday, which was the largest margin of defeat for the Yankees against an NL team. Max Muncy described the series win as a statement performance.
Credit to the Yankees for securing a win on Sunday against Yoshinobu Yamamoto. Despite this, the Dodgers moved ahead of the Yankees in the latest MLB Power Rankings. Here are the top five:
- Tigers (previously 2)
- Mets (previously 5)
- Dodgers (previously 4)
- Yankees (previously 3)
- Cubs (previously 6)
Other notable MLB news from the weekend:
- The Dodgers` series win came despite Mookie Betts fracturing a toe in an unfortunate accident. Shohei Ohtani is reportedly nearing a return to pitching.
- The Colorado Rockies, with a 9-50 record, became the first team in modern baseball history to reach 50 losses before achieving 10 wins, putting them on pace for an exceptionally poor season record.
- The Kansas City Royals promoted promising prospect Jac Caglianone.
- Elly De La Cruz hit a home run and paid tribute to his late sister.
- The Philadelphia Phillies made adjustments to their starting rotation and bullpen.
- Boston Red Sox manager Alex Cora received a vote of confidence despite the team`s struggles.
- Just as Yordan Alvarez was close to returning from a strained right hand muscle, he was found to have a fracture in the same hand.
- Corbin Burnes exited a game due to discomfort in his elbow.
- The Tampa Bay Rays demoted speedy rookie Chandler Simpson; reasons for the move were explained.
- Benches cleared during the Orioles-White Sox game on Saturday following a play at the plate.
๐บ What We`re Watching Monday
- โพ Brewers at Reds, 7:10 p.m. on FS1
- โพ Mets at Dodgers, 10:10 p.m. on MLB Network
Jasper Hawthorne