May 2024 Basketball Wiretap

Pacers Had 90+ Percent Win Probability In 4th Quarter Of Three Games In Conference Finals

May 28, 2024 2:41 PM

The Indiana Pacers were eliminated by the Boston Celtics from the Eastern Conference Finals in four games despite playing three incredibly close games.

The Pacers had at least a 90 percent win probability in the fourth quarter of Games 1, 3 and 4, according to ESPN Stats & Information research. 

"For a young team like us, this experience in the playoffs is second to none," said Andrew Nembhard, who finished with a team-high 24 points in Game 4. "A lot of our first times. A lot of little things we maybe wanted to do better and we learned how these games go and what being in a series feels like."

"I can tell you like, yeah, we're going to learn from it and it's going to happen, but it's not guaranteed," Siakam said. "I know how hard it is to get to this point. It's unfortunate. You want to give credit to the other team because they took advantage of every mistake that we made. They did well.

"But for us, it's been hard, like heartbreaking losses after heartbreaking losses. Yeah, you're going to be encouraged by it and you hope to put the right amount of work to continue to get better. Because we need to be a lot better if you want to compete with those teams. And understand it doesn't matter how good we played, we didn't get it done."

Jamal Collier/ESPN

Tags: Boston Celtics, Indiana Pacers, NBA, NBA Playoffs

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Kristaps Porzingis Has 'Some Hurdles' Remaining Before Cleared For Game 1 Of Finals

May 28, 2024 2:21 PM

Kristaps Porzingis has been out since late April with a non-contact calf strain, but there is optimism he could be cleared to play in Game 1 of The Finals.

"There's definitely hope, there's definitely optimism," said Shams Charania of Porzingis.

"There are still some hurdles, I'm told, that he has to clear before he can play in Game 1 of The Finals."

Entering the Eastern Conference Finals, there was reportedly a chance that Porzingis could return during that series if it were to extend.

Game 1 of The Finals is on Thursday, June 6th at TD Garden.

Shams Charania/The Athletic

Tags: Kristaps Porzingis, Boston Celtics, NBA, NBA Injury, NBA Playoffs

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Maxi Kleber Expected To Play In Game 4 Of West Finals

May 28, 2024 9:15 AM

Dallas Mavericks big man Maxi Kleber is expected to play in Game 4 of the Western Conference Finals, barring a late setback ahead of the game. Kleber is returning from a separated shoulder that occurred in Game 6 of the first round.

Kleber has been out since that first-round series clincher on May 3. At one point, it looked like Kleber's season might be over. However, the Mavericks said that Kleber's return would be dependent on his recovery and how deep the team's playoff run goes.

Dallas is on the verge of clinching a trip to the 2024 NBA Finals. The Mavericks lead the Timberwolves 3-0 heading into Tuesday's Game 4 in Dallas.

Marc Stein/The Stein Line

Tags: Maxi Kleber, Dallas Mavericks, NBA, NBA Injury, NBA Playoffs

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Jaylen Brown Named Larry Bird Eastern Conference Finals MVP

May 28, 2024 1:01 AM

Jaylen Brown was awarded the Larry Bird Eastern Conference finals MVP after the Boston Celtics completed a sweep of the Indiana Pacers on Monday.

Brown averaged 29.8 points, five rebounds, three assists, and two steals for the series.

Brown received five out of nine votes, with Jayson Tatum getting the other four votes.

“He was unreal this whole series, a complete player on both sides of the ball that you don’t really see much these days,” said Derrick White of Brown. 

Joe Vardon/The Athletic

Tags: Jaylen Brown, Boston Celtics, NBA, NBA Award, NBA Playoffs

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Maxi Kleber Questionable, Dereck Lively II Doubtful For Game 4

May 28, 2024 12:53 AM

Dereck Lively II was listed as doubtful for Game 4 against the Minnesota Timberwolves due to a sprained neck.

Lively was cleared from having a serious injury and has not entered the league's concussion protocol.

Maxi Kleber, who has not played since the first round due to a separated right shoulder, is questionable for the game. 

The Mavs lead the series 3-0. 

Tim MacMahon/ESPN

Tags: Dereck Lively II, Maxi Kleber, Dallas Mavericks, NBA, NBA Injury, NBA Playoffs

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Dereck Lively II Cleared For Serious Neck Injury, Status For Game 4 Unclear

May 27, 2024 9:20 AM

Dallas Mavericks rookie center Dereck Lively II was cleared of having a serious neck injury, after leaving Game 3 of the Western Conference Finals early. Lively's status for Game 4 of the series on Tuesday is unclear at this point.

Lively was injured during a collision with Karl-Anthony Towns in the first half of Game 3. Towns' knee hit Lively in the back of the head, after the rookie center had fallen to the floor.

Lively has been a key member of the Mavericks rotation all season. In 15 playoff games, the Duke product has averaged 8.5 points, 7.1 rebounds and 1.1 blocks in 21.5 minutes per game off the Dallas bench.

The Mavericks took a 3-0 series lead over the Timberwolves on Sunday. Dallas has a chance to close out the series at home on Tuesday.

Adrian Wojnarowski/ESPN

Tags: Dereck Lively II, Dallas Mavericks, NBA, NBA Injury, NBA Playoffs

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Maxi Kleber Could Return To Mavs Lineup For NBA Finals

May 26, 2024 11:54 PM

Maxi Kleber could return to the Dallas Mavericks lineup for the NBA Finals, according to Marc Stein of The Stein Line.

Kleber has been out since suffering a separated shoulder during Game 6 of the first round.

The Mavs are currently up 3-0 against the Wolves.

The NBA Finals will start on June 6. 

Marc Stein/The Stein Line

Tags: Maxi Kleber, Dallas Mavericks, NBA, NBA Injury, NBA Playoffs

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Tyrese Haliburton Questionable For Game 4 Of East Finals

May 26, 2024 6:12 PM

Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton is listed as questionable for Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Finals. Haliburton is dealing with a sore left hamstring. The re-injury occurred in the third quarter of Game 2. Haliburton missed Game 3 due to the injury.

It's been reported that Haliburton is unlikely to play in Game 4. The Pacers trail the Boston Celtics 3-0 in the series.

RealGM Staff Report

Tags: Tyrese Haliburton, Indiana Pacers, NBA, NBA Injury, NBA Playoffs

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Kristaps Porzingis Ruled Out For Game 4 Of East Finals

May 26, 2024 5:17 PM

The Boston Celtics will have to attempt to close out their third consecutive series without their starting center. Kristaps Porzingis was ruled out for Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Finals due to a strained right calf.

The Celtics lead the Indiana Pacers 3-0, which means Boston can afford to play it safe with Porzingis. He's been out since getting injured in Game 4 of the first round against the Miami Heat on April 29.

If Boston closes out Indiana in Game 4, their next game won't be until Game 1 of the NBA Finals on June 6. If the Pacers win, the series shifts back to Boston and Porzingis could play in Game 5 on Wednesday, May 29.

RealGM Staff Report

Tags: Kristaps Porzingis, Boston Celtics, NBA, NBA Injury, NBA Playoffs

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No Updates On Kristaps Porzingis, Tyrese Haliburton For Game 4

May 26, 2024 2:40 PM

Both the Boston Celtics and Indiana Pacers had practice/walkthrough and film sessions on Sunday, ahead of Monday's Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Finals. With Boston leading Indiana by a 3-0 margin, both sides expressed that Game 4 would be a battle.

However, neither side offered an update on the availability of two key players. Boston had no update on the availability of Kristaps Porzingis. He's been out due to a strained calf since midway through Game 4 in the first round of the playoffs. It was previously reported that the Celtics and Porzingis were targeting a return in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Finals.

Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton missed Game 3 with a sore left hamstring. Haliburton reinjured his hamstring late in Game 2. Indiana coach Rick Carlisle said that there was no update as to his star guard's availability for Game 4.

Injury reports for both teams for Game 4 will come out later in the day on Sunday. Porzingis has been listed as out for each game to this point. Haliburton was initially listed as questionable, before being downgraded to out ahead of Game 3.

RealGM Staff Report

Tags: Kristaps Porzingis, Tyrese Haliburton, Boston Celtics, Indiana Pacers, NBA, NBA Injury, NBA Playoffs

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Tyrese Haliburton Expected To Miss Game 3 Due To Hamstring Injury

Shams Charania and Joe Vardon/The Athletic

Mavs-Timberwolves Game 1 Averages 7.02M Viewers

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Pacers-Celtics Game 1 Averages 6.48M Viewers

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Timberwolves-Nuggets Game 7 Averages 8.41M Viewers

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Mike Conley Questionable For Game 1 With Right Soleus Strain

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Jarrett Allen Rib Injury Frustrated Members Within Cavs

Shams Charania, Joe Vardon, & Jason Lloyd/The Athletic

OG Anunoby Could Return For Eastern Conference Finals If Knicks Advance

Adam Zagoria/NJ Advance Media

Donovan Mitchell, Caris LeVert Questionable For Game 5

Tim Bontemps/ESPN

Nuggets-Timberwolves Game 4 Averages 5.61M Viewers On TNT

Jon Lewis/Sports Media Watch

Nuggets-Timberwolves Game 3 Averages 5.21M Viewers

Jon Lewis/Sports Media Watch

Mitchell Robinson Undergoes Ankle Surgery, Will Be Re-Evaluated In 6-8 Weeks

Brian Windhorst/ESPN

Donovan Mitchell Out For Game 4 With Calf Strain

Adrian Wojnarowski/ESPN

2024 NBA Playoff Snapshots (May 12): Pacers/Knicks, Nuggets/Wolves

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