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NBA Playoffs Open Thread – Weekend Edition

If anyone asks, the weekend starts on Friday.
By | 13 Comments | May 16, 2025

May 14, 2025; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson (11) fouls out of the game in the second half during game five of the second round for the 2025 NBA Playoffs against the Boston Celtics at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-Imagn Images

Will the New York Knicks reach the Eastern Conference Finals? Who will represent the Western Conference vs. the Minnesota Timberwolves? Find out this weekend. Here’s the slate:

Friday: Boston Celtics @ New York Knicks – 5:00 PM PT / 8:00 PM ET

  • Knicks lead the series 3-2

Sunday: Denver Nuggets @ Oklahoma City Thunder – 12:30 PM PT / 3:30 PM ET

  • Game 7. Series is tied 3-3.
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Kfan
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May 16, 2025 3:50 pm

Thought we had a Saturday game. Bummer.

Klam
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May 16, 2025 6:25 pm

New York lookin’ like it’ll be moving on to the ECF, and meanwhile, this isn’t good news for Denver:

FROM SHAMS:Denver Nuggets forward Aaron Gordon has been diagnosed with a left hamstring strain and his status is in doubt for Game 7 against the Oklahoma City Thunder, sources tell ESPN. Major development heading into Sunday's 3:30 pm ET game on ABC for a Western Conference Finals berth.

Shams Charania Tweets (& Other NBA News) (@shamsbot.bsky.social) 2025-05-17T00:31:38.926Z

TheGrantNapear
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May 16, 2025 6:55 pm

Knicks in the ECF for the first time in a quarter century.
Knicks/Pacers.
The throwbacks to the 90’s series between these squads is going to be nostalgic.

oshima9
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May 16, 2025 11:36 pm

Lots of talk on the Celtics blog about how the team needs to get under the 2nd apron and that moving Jalen Brown is the way out. Fans also believe the new owner isn’t going to pay a huge payroll going forward. Brown has a salary of 49 million next year, rising to 64 million in 28-29.

If you believe in Brown as a star player, could the Kings get him in a trade that includes LaVine? LaVine only has 2 years left, with one being a player option, with some incremental savings for Boston, and then Boston is out of Brown’s contract entirely.

Such a trade could also set the stage for a subsequent trade of Domas, ushering in a rebuild around Brown, Murray and Keon. DDR and Malik could also be moved. Just speculating here, but a trade for Brown could create the possibility of a rebuild that doesn’t require a tear down.

TheGrantNapear
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May 17, 2025 7:37 am
Reply to  oshima9

I know JB won Finals MVP last year but I personally don’t consider him a superstar player, nor worth the 5/$305 contract he’s on. To me he is one dimensional on offense and can’t do a ton without a star like JT next to him.
I could see him morphing into an empty stats player on a team like the Kings. To me he isn’t too dissimilar to Domas and Lavine in that very specific players need to be around them to be contributors towards winning and none of them should be your best player, yet all 3 of these players are paid as such.

Adamsite
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May 17, 2025 7:53 am
Reply to  TheGrantNapear

Yeah, his contract is not good. He’s on the Supermax deal, that I personally feel the Kings were hesitant to give Fox. Like you said, I too don’t consider him a superstar worth that money. He’s a very solid Robin to Batman, but he shouldn’t be your #1, much like Fox. He also doesn’t have much of an outside shot. LaVine’s deal could be seen as much better in a year or two.

TheGrantNapear
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May 17, 2025 9:03 am
Reply to  Adamsite

It may sound crazy, but when you consider contracts, I’d rather have Lavine who has one year left followed by a player option at a much lower yearly number than JB who still has 4 gtd year’s left on his contract, the last year at $65 mill lol.
JB is still young but he’s already been in the league 9 years with a crap ton of tread on his tires as the C’s have made deep playoff runs basically every year.
All that probably sounds appealing to Vivek but a hard pass for any GM with common sense.

Adamsite
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Nostradumbass 14
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May 17, 2025 9:28 am
Reply to  TheGrantNapear

I agree. That kind of money for a fringe star that doesn’t compliment the core all that much just isn’t worth it. I’d prefer to move a guy like LaVine for a legit PG or long wing and then simply slide Keon to the off guard spot. An upgrade from LaVine to Brown at that kind of price just isn’t worth it and doesn’t fill any holes.

bangbangplay
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May 17, 2025 2:06 pm
Reply to  Adamsite

Would it change your mind if the rumors are true that Vivek wants to extend LaVine?

Adamsite
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May 17, 2025 3:50 pm
Reply to  bangbangplay

It would depend on the price. Should he opt out of his final year of his deal at $49M and sign something like a 3 year $85M deal, then his production is fair to contract and he’d be on a very movable deal. The dude is still a gifted scorer and an excellent 3pt shooter. When I say excellent, I mean one of the best in the league. He’s also not the ball stopper that DDR is. I think LaVine could work in the right system with quality help defenders and good facilitators. There is no reason he and Domas can’t have a solid DHO game because LaVine is just as much a threat to hit from deep or take it to the basket.

Now, will he opt out of his deal and sign for less than $30m a year for 3 more years…doubtful. If things continue to go sideways next season he might even opt out of his final year just to get the hell out of Dodge and sign with a contender. As nice as that may sound to some, that would be a complete waste of an asset that the Kings gave up Fox for.

TheGrantNapear
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May 18, 2025 8:24 am
Reply to  Adamsite

3 year $85M deal

That’s a fair contract for a player like Lavine, especially considering his injury history and the fact he’s getting up there in age.

JoeEnzyme
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May 18, 2025 2:16 pm

I am weird. I am not particularly partisan for either DEN or OKC, but I find myself rooting for DEN. It appears to be a subconscious decision since I like the players and coaches on both teams.

Klam
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May 18, 2025 2:48 pm

You just know the NBA higher ups are praying hard for New York to make the finals, lol.

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