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When it rains in Oklahoma City, it really pours.
A commanding 70-40 performance in the second half propelled the Thunder to a 1-0 lead in the Western Conference Finals.
**FIVE HEADLINES IN TODAY’S ISSUE 🏀**
**May 21, 2025**
**Thunderous Surge:** OKC dominates the second half to claim Game 1 against Minnesota.
**Wolves Tamed:** OKC’s top-rated defense restricts Minnesota to just 88 points.
**Clutch Matchup:** Jalen Brunson and Tyrese Haliburton usher in a new chapter of the Knicks-Pacers rivalry.
**Path to the Playoffs:** The Knicks return to a playoff rematch with Indiana featuring a revamped squad.
**Pacers’ Journey:** Indy makes its way back to the Eastern Finals, emphasizing purposeful pace.
**BUT FIRST… ⏰**
The Eastern Finals commence tonight…
**Rivalry Rekindled:** Game 1 of the East Finals kicks off this evening as Jalen Brunson and the Knicks welcome Tyrese Haliburton and the Pacers to Madison Square Garden, marking a new era in this historic rivalry (8 PM ET, TNT).
**All-Rookie Teams Announced:** The 2024-25 Kia NBA All-Rookie Teams were revealed on Tuesday, with Spurs guard and Kia ROY Stephon Castle leading the First Team. Check out the full First and Second Teams here.
**1. THUNDER STRIKE FIRST WITH GAME 1 DOMINATION IN WEST FINALS**
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On Sunday, the Thunder executed a stunning 18-5 surge to clinch Game 7, eliminating the Nuggets.
Two days later, they delivered another powerful blow to kick off the Western Conference Finals.
Thunder 114, Wolves 88: After trailing 48-44 at halftime, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (31 pts, 9 ast, 3 stl) and Jalen Williams (19 pts, 8 reb, 5 ast, 5 stl) ignited a crucial 32-18 third quarter for OKC, taking charge and never looking back as they secured a 1-0 lead in the series. | Recap
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**Second Half Revival:** In their inaugural Conference Finals game, SGA and Williams struggled with a combined 4-of-21 shooting in the first half, marking OKC’s lowest-scoring half of the season.
However, instead of being rattled, the young All-Stars flipped the momentum.
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**Second Half Explosion:** Twenty of SGA’s points came after halftime, with Williams and Chet Holmgren (15 pts, 7 reb, 2 blk) contributing 13 each, allowing the Thunder to dominate and outscore the Wolves 70-40 in the second half.
**Next Up:** Julius Randle (28 pts) and Anthony Edwards (18 pts, 9 reb, 3 ast) led the Wolves, who will stay in OKC for Game 2 on Thursday (8:30 PM ET, ESPN).
**2. THUNDER DEFENSE PROPELS OKC TO GAME 1 VICTORY**
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This season, the Thunder have established a reputation for their defensive prowess.
As they entered their first Western Conference Finals since 2016, they leaned on their defense for a 1-0 series lead, achieving a 90.7 Defensive Rating in a 114-88 triumph over the Wolves.
To shut down the Wolves, the Thunder focused on neutralizing All-Stars Anthony Edwards and Julius Randle.
Let’s examine three key defensive plays that were instrumental in this effort.
Watch as Alex Caruso navigates around a Naz Reid screen to stay tight on Edwards, denying both the drive and the stepback three. SGA shades toward Edwards post-screen but is ready to rotate back to Reid when Caruso forces Edwards into a pass.
Julius Randle holds a five-inch advantage over Lu Dort, yet Dort’s strength allows him to contend with Randle in the post. Anticipating Randle’s backdown, Dort swiftly pulls the chair, leaving Randle off-balance.
Randle is then overwhelmed by Dort, along with Aaron Wiggins and Chet Holmgren, who are ready to help out, demonstrating OKC’s solid defensive strategy. The Thunder allowed only 20 points in the paint — a season low for Minnesota (including Playoffs).
As Jalen Williams stands his ground against Reid in the post, SGA’s assignment, Donte DiVincenzo, cuts through the lane. Shai initially follows him but then perfectly times a double team on Reid as he spins, leading to a steal opportunity.
**3. CLUTCH PLAYERS:** HALIBURTON & BRUNSON SHINE IN A CLASSIC SHOWDOWN
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Tonight, fans will witness the resurgence of a legendary rivalry.
When the Pacers defeated the Knicks in a gripping seven-game series during last year’s Eastern Semifinals, it marked the eighth postseason encounter between these two teams—a rivalry that spans decades and is filled with memorable moments.
Many recall Reggie Miller’s incredible 25-point fourth quarter in Game 5 of the 1994 East Finals, or Patrick Ewing’s dominant Game 7 performance that concluded that series. Who can forget Miller’s astonishing eight points in nine seconds in ’95, or Larry Johnson’s iconic four-point play in ’99?
Jalen Brunson and Tyrese Haliburton are now the flagship players for this modern rivalry.
Brunson’s performance has reached new heights since the start of the playoffs, becoming the driving force that New York needs.
However, in high-pressure situations where every shot counts, Haliburton possesses an edge that stands out across the league this season.
Much like his adversary from New York, Haliburton has significantly influenced winning during the playoffs.
**4. KNICKS’ JOURNEY: ADAPTING WITH THREE KEY ADDITIONS FOR A REMATCH**
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One year and two days ago, the Knicks left Madison Square Garden for the final time in the 2023-24 season.
Their campaign concluded in Game 7 of the Eastern Semifinals at the hands of the Pacers.
Tonight, the Knicks squad that steps onto the MSG court for Game 1 looks markedly different from last year’s team.
It all started with two pivotal offseason acquisitions.
On July 6, the Knicks brought in Mikal Bridges from the Nets.
On October 2, they traded for Karl-Anthony Towns from Minnesota, sending Julius Randle and Donte DiVincenzo in the opposite direction.
By December 15, the Knicks secured sole possession of third place in the East (16-10) and maintained that position throughout the rest of the season.
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Mitchell Robinson made his season debut on February 28 after recovering from ankle surgery resulting from a stress reaction he sustained in Game 1 of last year’s East Semis against Indiana.
On April 6, the Knicks achieved their 50th win of the season by overcoming the Suns, achieving consecutive 50-plus win seasons for the first time since 1993-94 (57 wins) and 1994-95 (55 wins). Both of those seasons featured playoff battles against the Pacers.
Fast forward 367 days after facing defeat to Indiana at home, the Knicks welcome the Pacers back to The Garden for yet another chapter in this storied rivalry.
**5. PACERS’ PATH: RELYING ON TRUST, PACING, AND TEAMWORK**
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In the history of the NBA, only one team has reached the Conference Finals while averaging over 115 points per game without any individual scoring over 20.
That team? The 2024-25 Indiana Pacers.
The Pacers’ success is rooted in their namesake. Indiana possesses the stamina to outrun opponents, leading the East in pace this postseason while covering a distance of 19.33 miles per game and outpacing everyone.
Though they play at a fast tempo, they excel at moving the ball even quicker, thriving on dynamic motion, synergy, and a commitment to teamwork.
Central to this strategy is valuing possessions—a lesson the Pacers took to heart after last year’s playoff journey.
**The Turnaround:** That month, head coach Rick Carlisle openly challenged his players to prioritize ball security—leading to a surge in victories.
Now, the Pacers are back in the Eastern Finals, seeking not only to amend last year’s disappointments but also set their sights on the ultimate championship goal.
