The Indiana Pacers punch their ticket to the NBA Finals for the first time since 2000, eliminating the New York Knicks in Game 6 behind Pascal Siakam’s MVP performance and a stellar team effort.

The New York Knicks’ dream of forcing a Game 7 in the Eastern Conference Finals quickly faded after halftime in Game 6. While New York stayed close in the first half, trailing by just four at the break, the Indiana Pacers pulled away possession by possession in the second. The Knicks occasionally cut the deficit to single digits, but the Pacers’ lethal efficiency—54.1% from the field and 51.5% from three—proved insurmountable. Combined with 17 turnovers, the writing was on the wall for the Knicks.

Siakam Delivers Again

Pascal Siakam, who already stole the show in Game 2 at Madison Square Garden, was once again the difference-maker. The veteran forward put together a Finals-worthy stat line: 31 points on 10-of-18 shooting, 5 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 blocks, and a steal. It was a performance worthy of the Eastern Conference Finals MVP, and one that underlined his value on both ends of the floor.

Haliburton and the Supporting Cast Shine

Tyrese Haliburton was the engine behind Indiana’s fluid offense, finishing with a 21-point, 13-assist double-double. But the victory was a collective masterpiece: seven Pacers scored in double figures, including former Knick Obi Toppin, who torched his old team off the bench with 18 points and 6 rebounds.

Indiana’s Return to the Finals

This marks Indiana’s first trip to the NBA Finals since 2000, when franchise legend Reggie Miller led the team against the dynastic Lakers of Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal. Now, Haliburton and company will face a new juggernaut: the Oklahoma City Thunder, widely considered the title favorites after an 80-18 season.

Brunson Falters When It Matters Most

After carrying the Knicks throughout the playoffs, Jalen Brunson came up short when it mattered most. He scored 19 points and dished out 7 assists, but his 8-of-18 shooting night lacked the usual impact. Without their floor general at full throttle, the Knicks couldn’t mount a serious comeback.

Towns and Anunoby Keep It Respectable

While Brunson struggled, OG Anunoby (24 points on 10-of-18 shooting) and Karl-Anthony Towns (22 points, 14 rebounds) kept the Knicks afloat—at least through the first half. Their efforts delayed the inevitable, but even their strong showings weren’t enough to change the game’s momentum.

NBA legend Reggie Miller brought sarcasm and old-school flair to the Knicks-Pacers Game 5 broadcast, questioning a flagrant foul review with trademark disdain for modern-day calls.

There are few people more uniquely suited to call a New York Knicks–Indiana Pacers playoff game than Reggie Miller. The Hall-of-Fame sharpshooter, who spent his entire career with the Pacers from 1987 to 2005, made a name for himself partly by tormenting the Knicks and their fans in heated 1990s playoff clashes.

So it was fitting that Miller was on the call for TNT’s final NBA broadcast, covering Game 5 of the 2024–25 Eastern Conference Finals between his old team and his old nemesis. And true to form, Miller couldn’t resist slipping into classic sarcasm mode when the officiating crew stopped play to review a potential flagrant foul.

“Oh, we’re reviewing that? That’s a flagrant now?” Miller quipped, dripping with disdain.

It’s not the first time—and likely won’t be the last—that Miller mocked modern foul standards. Like many of his generation, the now 58-year-old Miller has little patience for what today’s NBA defines as excessive contact. In his era, a flagrant foul usually meant stitches—or at least a cracked rib. Now? A hard closeout or fast arm motion seems to warrant a monitor check.

The Game and the Needle

The moment was vintage Miller—not just because of his skepticism toward “soft” foul calls, but because of the subtle (or not-so-subtle) joy he seems to take in antagonizing Knicks fans, even from the booth.

In his playing days, Miller was open about his disdain for the Knicks, famously stating he “hated” them. That needle hasn’t dulled in retirement, and his commentary during the series has reflected that familiar energy.

TNT, which will end its NBA broadcasting era after this postseason, clearly understood the assignment by placing Miller on this rivalry call. He brings historical depth, a sharp tongue, and no shortage of narrative tension, especially when these two teams clash.

TNT’s Curtain Call, Reggie’s Last Word?

With TNT bowing out of NBA coverage, Game 5 marked the end of an era not just for the network, but possibly for Miller’s signature role on the NBA’s postseason stage. If this was his final bow as a lead analyst, it was fittingly combative, controversial, and unmistakably Reggie.

Zion Williamson is facing serious allegations in a new lawsuit filed in Los Angeles, including rape and various forms of abuse. The claims span from 2018 to 2023, according to court documents.

New Orleans Pelicans star Zion Williamson has been named in a lawsuit filed Thursday in Los Angeles Superior Court, facing multiple serious allegations including rape, sexual assault, and physical, emotional, and financial abuse. The suit was first reported by Eriq Gardner of Puck, who shared early details of the filing on X (formerly Twitter).

The lawsuit was filed by a woman identified as Jane Doe, who claims she began a relationship with Williamson in 2018, during his freshman year at Duke University. According to the court filing, the relationship continued through 2023, during which time she alleges a pattern of escalating abuse.

Key Allegations

Among the most serious accusations, the lawsuit alleges that Williamson raped the plaintiff twice in Los Angeles in 2020. The woman also details additional incidents of abuse that allegedly took place in New Orleans, where Williamson has played professionally since being drafted first overall by the Pelicans in 2019.

While the lawsuit primarily revolves around sexual assault, it also includes claims of emotional manipulation, financial control, and other forms of coercive behavior over a five-year period.

Gardner, who obtained the filing, indicated that the case includes graphic and disturbing details, and that it is likely to spark significant media and legal scrutiny in the coming days.

No Public Response Yet

As of this writing, Williamson and his legal team have not released a public statement addressing the allegations. The New Orleans Pelicans organization has also yet to comment on the matter.

Given the gravity of the charges, the case could have major implications for Williamson’s career both on and off the court, especially if it proceeds to trial.