All articles tagged with #playoffs
Joe Mazzulla was named NBA Coach of the Year after guiding Boston to a 56-26 finish and the East’s No. 2 seed despite major turnover and injuries; he credited his staff and a focus on teaching and development, and Celtics’ season ended with a first-round playoff exit to the 76ers.
The NBA will announce the 2025-26 Coach of the Year during Game 5 of the Western Conference finals, with finalists Mitch Johnson of the Spurs, J.B. Bickerstaff of the Pistons, and Joe Mazzulla of the Celtics. Johnson led San Antonio to a 62-20 regular season and its first playoff appearance since 2019 as the Spurs face the Thunder in a series tied 2-2; the award decision is set for 7:30 p.m. ET before the game.
The New York Knicks completed a playoff sweep of the Cleveland Cavaliers to advance to the NBA Finals for the first time since 1999, finishing the series with decisive performances that capped the Cavaliers’ playoff run in Cleveland.
Georgia coach Kirby Smart said he would support the SEC breaking away from the current national structure to govern its own rules and potentially run its own playoff, echoing comments from Georgia president Jere Morehead. While an SEC-only playoff isn’t imminent due to the College Football Playoff contract through 2031-32, the discussion centers on financial stability and autonomy for the conference to fund all sports on a more equal footing.
NBA insiders, including coaches, GMs, and scouts, largely believe the Knicks could beat the Western Conference in the Finals, with only a few dissenters. Fresh off an 11-game playoff win streak and a dominant sweep of Cleveland, New York appears rested and dangerous against OKC or San Antonio, led by Jalen Brunson and supported by a versatile group as the West’s path to a Finals crown remains uncertain.
The Knicks swept the Cavaliers 4-0 in the Eastern Conference finals, with James Harden saying Cleveland was the better team despite the sweep; Donovan Mitchell cited fatigue from two long playoff runs, while New York rides an 11-game postseason win streak into the NBA Finals to face the winner of Thunder–Spurs, with the series set to begin June 3.
Colorado Avalanche sit at 3-0 in the Western Conference Final after a 5-3 Game 3 loss, with Nathan MacKinnon and Valeri Nichushkin nursing lower-body injuries and no firm updates ahead of Game 4. MacKinnon, who leads the Avs with 15 postseason points, played through the injury, while Nichushkin exited early. Vegas, buoyed by depth, reportedly got a reassuring update on Cole Smith from coach John Tortorella, keeping him in the lineup as they seek a sweep. Game 4 is Tuesday at 9:00 PM ET at T-Mobile Arena, a must-win for Colorado to extend the series.
Mike Lupica argues the Knicks have transformed into the old, championship-caliber team, riding an 11-0 postseason run into the NBA Finals after a 130-93 Game 4 win over the Cavaliers, with Jalen Brunson leading a fast, efficient attack and New York fans finally believing they can win it all, echoing the franchise’s 1970s–1990s glory as they eye potential finals opponents like the Thunder or Spurs.
Andrei Svechnikov scored 14:06 into overtime to give the Carolina Hurricanes a 3-2 overtime win over the Montreal Canadiens in Game 3 of the 2026 Eastern Conference Final, lifting Carolina to a 2-1 series lead. The game featured first-period goals from Gostisbehere and Hall, a late-second-period equalizer by Hutson and Caufield, and a tight, low-shot total with Frederik Andersen stopping 11 of 13 shots. Carolina extended its streak of first-goal wins in this playoff run, and Svechnikov earned his first career playoff OT goal.
Vegas erased a 3-0 deficit to beat Colorado 5-3 in Game 3 of the Western Conference finals, continuing a stunning collapse by the Avalanche after a dynamite start and a 3-0 lead. The piece highlights three takeaways: Colorado opened strong and led 3-0, Vegas surged in the second with a key turnover and momentum swing, and Colorado’s collapse—coupled with Nathan MacKinnon getting hobbled—sealed the Knights’ timely comeback.
New York’s decision to keep the starting five unchanged a month ago fueled a 10‑game playoff win streak with a historic net rating, guided by Mikal Bridges’s two‑way breakout and a league‑leading offense led by Brunson and Towns. The run has elevated the Knicks from underdog to legitimate Finals contender, with potential tweaks like more Landry Shamet with the starters hinted at for the next step. While they’d likely be underdogs against the West’s top teams (Spurs/Thunder), the stretch echoes the 2011 Mavericks and suggests a real title shot if this rhythm persists.
The New York Knicks completed a 4-0 sweep of the Cleveland Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference finals to return to the NBA Finals for the first time since 1999 and pursue their first title since 1973. Jalen Brunson earned the conference finals MVP after averaging 25.5 points and 7.8 assists, as New York extended its postseason win streak to 11. They won the clincher 130-93, with Karl‑Anthony Towns adding 19 points and 14 rebounds and Donovan Mitchell recording 31 for Cleveland. The Knicks now await either the Thunder or the Spurs in the Finals, a matchup complicated by Victor Wembanyama in the Spurs–Thunder series. Fans like Spike Lee and Timothée Chalamet were on hand to celebrate, and the Knicks’ first Finals game is set for June 8 with high-priced tickets already circulating on resale sites.
The New York Knicks swept the Cleveland Cavaliers 130-93 in Game 4 to reach the NBA Finals for the first time since 1999, riding a dominant run and a 11-game playoff win streak led by Jalen Brunson. With the victory, New York awaits its Finals opponent—either Oklahoma City or San Antonio—with the series starting June 3.
The Knicks crushed the Cavaliers 130-93 in an elimination game to advance to the NBA Finals, building a 68-49 halftime lead and cruising the rest of the way. Donovan Mitchell led Cleveland with 31 points, but James Harden scored 12 on 2-for-8 with five turnovers as the Cavs totaled 22 turnovers and were outrebounded 60-33. Social media users trolled Cleveland, and Charles Barkley labeled the Cavs as the definition of quit as the team heads into the offseason.
The Knicks hold a 3-0 lead in the Eastern Conference Finals and can clinch a Finals berth with a win in Game 4 tonight at 8 p.m. ET on ESPN from Rocket Arena in Cleveland. Free streaming options include DIRECTV’s five-day trial (ESPN included) or Sling TV Orange Day Pass for $4.99. After Game 3, where Jalen Brunson had 30 points and Mikal Bridges 22 as New York led most of the way, a Cavaliers win would force a Game 5 on Wednesday; a Knicks victory ends the series.