Basketball

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — The Indiana Pacers waited 25 years to get back to the NBA Finals. And then they waited a few more hours to actually get to the NBA Finals. The Pacers' travel plans to the NBA Finals were impacted Tuesday by severe weather.

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — For NBA players, the prize is the gold trophy. For NBA referees, the prize is the white jacket. And for Tyler Ford and Ben Taylor, the jacket has arrived.

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — There is something different about Oklahoma City Thunder fans, and players aren't afraid to say that. The crowd of 18,000 or so always arrives early. They stay late.

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — It's No. 25 Indiana vs. No. 47 Oklahoma City in the NBA Finals . That's not their seeding. That's their media market ranking. To some, that might matter. To others, it probably won't — and probably shouldn't — matter whatsoever.

NEW YORK (AP) — The New York Knicks fired coach Tom Thibodeau on Tuesday just days after their first trip to the Eastern Conference finals in 25 years, a person with knowledge of the decision told The Associated Press.

NEW YORK (AP) — The New York Knicks fired coach Tom Thibodeau on Tuesday just days after their first trip to the Eastern Conference finals in 25 years, a person with knowledge of the decision told The Associated Press.

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The Minnesota Timberwolves have plenty of reason to run back the same roster after reaching the Western Conference finals for the second straight time .

SEATTLE (AP) — It’s logical to think someone like Danny Ball is a fair representation of Seattle these days.

THE BLUE MOUNTAINS — University of Saskatchewan basketball player Gage Grassick and Wilfrid Laurier University quarterback Taylor Elgersma have been named the 2024-25 U Sports Athletes of the Year.

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Oklahoma City's Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Indiana's Tyrese Haliburton weren’t expected to ever be starring in leading roles on the NBA Finals stage. Well, at least not by many.