The GIST: With a pair of Game 1s done and dusted, the postseason push to hoist the NBA’s Larry O’Brien Trophy and the NHL’s Stanley Cup continues. Let’s dive in on the glorious, championship-defining deets.
🏀 Indiana Pacers steal Game 1 in Oklahoma City: The Pacers picked the perfect time to snag their first lead of last night’s series-opening game — with 0.3 seconds left on the clock. That’s right, Indy’s finest did it again, forging a stunning fourth-quarter comeback behind who else but Tyrese Haliburton and beating the OKC Thunder 111–110. Basketball is fun, indeed.
- Buoyed by 38 points from MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the Thunder led by 12 points at the half and as many as 15 in the fourth quarter, and forced the Pacers into an NBA record 19 first-half turnovers…but can they play a full 48 minutes in Sunday’s 8 p.m. ET Game 2?
🏒 Edmonton Oilers complete comeback in Game 1 win: No déjà vu here — the Oil took a 1-0 series lead in their Stanley Cup Final revenge tour, rallying from two goals down in Wednesday’s 4–3 overtime win over the defending champ Florida Panthers. The blown lead is out of character for the Cats, who were 31-0 in the playoffs when leading after the first two periods.
- Another departure from the 2024 script? A vintage performance from Edmonton forward Leon Draisaitl, who tallied zero goals in last year’s final but already has two (including the game-winner) this time around. See if the magic continues in Game 2 tonight at 8 p.m. ET.
