Zion Williamson
Zion Williamson is accused of raping a woman twice in 2020, according to Alex Raskin of Daily Mail. The woman – who claims she was Williamson's girlfriend 2018-2023 – is suing Williamson, alleging a broader pattern of "sexual, physical, emotional and financial" abuse.
Williamson denied the allegations, including that he dated the woman.
In April, the mother of Williamson's child was arrested for allegedly attacking another woman romantically linked to Williamson. Neither of those women is believed to be the unnamed plaintiff in this lawsuit, per Raskin.
Jalen Brunson
Jalen Brunson was last night's player of the game. He took over from the jump, excelled throughout and finished with 32 points.
His points per game in the conference finals decreased.
Partially because the Knicks are losing, partially because his massive splits with Aaron Nesmith on and off have distracted, Brunson hasn't drawn much fanfare. But Brunson is quietly having an excellent series.
Brunson is still averaging 33 points per game – the most in a series this deep into the playoffs in the last four years.
Of the 25 times since 1970 someone scored so much in a series this deep into the playoffs, 23 have been by a player who won MVP in his career. The only exceptions: Amar'e Stoudemire in the 2005 Suns-Spurs Western Conference finals and Dwyane Wade in the 2006 Heat-Mavericks NBA Finals.
Otherwise, Brunson's company is Giannis Antetokounmpo, Stephen Curry, LeBron James, Kevin Durant, Kobe Bryant, Shaquille O'Neal, Allen Iverson, Michael Jordan, Hakeem Olajuwon and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.
Thibodeau-n't
Tom Thibodeau is, naturally, the all-time leader in getting Thibodeau'd – losing a series 4-1 with home-court advantage and the final defeat coming at home.
Thibodeau is now ALSO the all-time leader in staving off getting Thibodeau'd in Game 5.
With his Knicks – trailing the Pacers 3-1 entering Game 5 in New York – winning last night, Thibodeau has now fought off three Thibodeau-ings. The 2023 Knicks vs. Heat and 2012 Bulls vs. 76ers each extended their series in the same circumstances.
Former Celtics and Rockets coach Bill Fitch also won three Game 5s when at risk of getting Thibodeau'd (and got Thibodeau'd once). Fitch's Celtics even once came back from a 3-1 deficit to beat the 76ers in the 1981 Eastern Conference finals.
Thibodeau has never come back to win a series after facing getting Thibodeau'd in Game 5. His teams haven't even won another game after staving off elimination in Game 5.
Game 6 is in Indiana tomorrow.
Tyrese Haliburton
At his best, Tyrese Haliburton looks like one of the very best point guards in the NBA. At his worst, he just fades into the background.
Haliburton followed his historic 32-point, 15-assist, 12-rebound Game 4 with… eight points on 2-of-7 shooting yesterday.
Neither performance is an outlier.
Haliburton is the first player in nearly a decade with three 30-point games and three games of 10 or fewer points in a single playoffs. Very fittingly considering those Raptors' postseason results, both Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan did it in 2016.
Players with three 30-point games and three games of 10 or fewer points in a single playoffs:
Tyrese Haliburton (2025 IND)
Kyle Lowry (2016 TOR)
DeMar DeRozan (2016 TOR)
Nick Van Exel (2003 DAL)
Sam Cassell (1995 HOU)
Clyde Drexler (1995 HOU)
Joe Dumars (1991 DET)
Isiah Thomas (1990 DET)
Isiah Thomas (1988 DET)
Andrew Toney (1982 PHI)
Calvin Murphy (1981 HOU)
Doug Collins (1977 PHI)
Willis Reed (1970 NYK)
Elgin Baylor (1970 LAL)
Cliff Hagan (1963 STL)
Tyrese Haliburton
The Knicks upped their defensive intensity, and Tyrese Haliburton wilted. But he still protected the ball to an uncanny degree.
Haliburton has now gone 81:30 since his last turnover.
During the streak, which dates back to Game 3, he has 23 assists.
Kevin Durant-Timberwolves
The Timberwolves were more serious about acquiring Kevin Durant before the trade deadline than previously thought, according to Brian Windhorst of ESPN.
With both Minnesota and Phoenix above the second apron, a trade would've been extremely difficult to construct in-season. There will be more flexibility this summer.
On the other hand, the Timberwolves got rolling after the trade deadline and made the Western Conference finals. They might see their team differently now.
Kevin Durant-Timberwolves
Pacers-Knicks
Good column from Brian Windhorst of ESPN on how the Pacers – especially for a team without a championship – have developed so many good rivalries over the years and why this iteration of Pacers-Knicks could have staying power.
Fouling up three
At The Athletic, John Hollinger argues teams intentionally fouling up three late makes games MORE exciting. I agree with John: With focus on the games that end nondescriptly as a result of the strategy, it can get lost how often the tactic increases variance. However, even John acknowledges properly executing the strategy would mean times where we get free throws instead of a game-tying 3-point attempt. I'd prefer the 3.
-Dan Feldman