For the first time since before the invention of the Blu-ray disc, the Indiana Pacers are headed to the NBA Finals.

PS: this is your last call to fill out the survey and have your voice heard in Enjoy BBall Family Feud Episode 3! The last episode was crazy—you’ll wanna be a part of this next one.

Today’s Lineup

🎉 Happy birthday to Bobby Simmons and Earl Boykins! 🎉

Playoff Recap

Pacers “pack up” Knicks 125-108, earn first Finals berth since 2000

Tyrese Haliburton brought a duffel bag to Game 6 of the ECF that he said was to “pack [the Knicks] up.” Hope he saved room for a trip to Oklahoma City!

On Saturday, the Pacers downed the Knicks in Game 6 to seal the Eastern Conference crown and earn their first trip to the Finals since Reggie Miller ran the show in 2000. After New York generated hope for a comeback bid with their win in Game 5, the Pacers ensured there would be no choking on their end, riding a strong fourth quarter to a closeout G6 win.

Pascal Siakam was once again the finisher for Indiana’s offense, dropping 31 PTS and bringing home the ECF MVP award, while Tyrese Haliburton added 21 PTS and 13 AST. The Pacers got their typical assortment of scoring from up and down the lineup, with five other players scoring in double figures and impressing in the box score (including Thomas Bryant’s three triples and Andrew Nembhard’s seven stocks.)

It was a party at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, one a quarter-century in the making that few expected the Pacers to throw. Regardless of how the Finals turn out, this Indiana team will be remembered for years to come for their comebacks, offense, and underdog status.

For New York, it’s a disappointing end to an otherwise solid season. The Knicks acquired Mikal Bridges and Karl-Anthony Towns to beat the Celtics, and they did just that. They just weren’t able to outdo one of their most historic rivals, sending themselves back to the drawing board as they seek to bring a title back to the Mecca. It’s a sour note to go out on, but the New York faithful can take solace in the franchise’s first ECF trip since 1999 and the knowledge that a Finals berth wasn’t far out of reach.

And Pacers fans? Enjoy it. 🎉

Around the Association

’Inside the NBA’ crew says goodbye to TNT

After nearly four decades, ‘Inside the NBA’ had its final broadcast on TNT on Saturday night.

The fan-favorite show featuring Charles Barkley, Kenny Smith, Shaquille O’Neal, and Ernie Johnson will move to ESPN and ABC next season as a result of the NBA’s shifting media deal. The crew will stay the same, but it’s still a bittersweet end for the show as we know it—one of the staples of NBA media for as long as most fans can remember.

Each of the gang said goodbye to Turner during their final broadcast, thanking the network for their support and expressing excitement for the future. Shaq, in typical Shaq fashion, let the show’s new home know what’s in store.

“Even though the name changes, the engine stays the same,” Shaq said. “To that new network we’re coming to, we’re not coming to ‘F’ around. And since it’s the last show, I’ll say it: we’re not coming to f*** around. We’re kicking ass, we’re taking names, we’re taking over.”

We wouldn’t want it any other way! 📺 🏀

Stock Market

Feeling lost without NBA basketball this week? Straighten yourself out with a playoff edition of the Enjoy Stock Market: ⬇️

📈 In-Game Comebacks

While we may not have seen many wild series comebacks this playoffs, this year’s tournament still showed us that no lead is safe in the modern NBA. Indiana is obviously the poster child for this trend, as since 1997, teams in the playoffs that trail by 7+ in the final 50 seconds of the fourth quarter and OT are 4-1,702. Three of those wins are the 2025 Pacers.

But there have been plenty of other wild reversals, from New York’s 20-point comebacks against Boston to Denver’s double-digit 4th quarter effort in Game 1 against OKC. Hopefully the Finals have more fireworks in store! 🔥

📈 Roster Economics

For years, the league was ruled by teams with big stars and big salaries, a trend that brought the NBA to rework the salary cap and implement the second apron. Now, the Finals are between two teams near the bottom of the league in total payroll. Indiana ranks 22nd in the league with a total salary of $169.85 million, while OKC ranks 25th at $167.97 million. And in their respective conference finals series, they defeated teams ranked near the top of the heap—Minnesota is second in total payroll at $204.78 million and New York ranks fourth with $193.59 million.

It just goes to show that smart drafting and roster moves are what really matter. It’s not about about how much bread you’ve got, it’s about how you spend it.

📈 Unexpected Heroes

This is true of every postseason, but this year’s playoffs have provided some all-time moments from hoopers you may not have expected to snag the spotlight. Think Aaron Nesmith connecting on five straight threes to beat New York in G1, Buddy Hield catching fire for nine triples in Golden State’s Game 7 win over Houston, or Alex Caruso strapping Nikola Jokic in Game 7 against Denver. Another game, another opportunity for a new face to shine. That’s what makes the game so Enjoy-able! 😎

Three in the Key

Signing Off

And we out! Thanks for spending a portion of your day with us. This week, don’t be afraid to confront a difficult task head on. Whether it’s a tough assignment or a hard conversation, everything will be easier on the other side. See you soon!

Walker Carnathan