The NBA has introduced a fresh MVP and highlighted an exciting comeback that will go down in history. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of the Oklahoma City Thunder has been named the league’s MVP, coinciding with Indiana Pacers pulling off a surprising victory against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden.
While Gilgeous-Alexander’s MVP win was anticipated, Indiana’s victory was anything but expected. Trailing by 17 points partway through the final quarter, the Pacers rallied with an impressive 23-point surge in the last 3:14 to push the game into overtime—a postseason feat unmatched in over two decades. In overtime, Indiana sealed their triumph despite fierce opposition from the Knicks’ Jalen Brunson, who scored an impressive 43 points.
Adding to the game’s drama, Tyrese Haliburton gestured a choke sign after his jumper narrowly missed, only for the ball to descend into the net and send the game into overtime. Aaron Nesmith was equally pivotal, firing eight 3-pointers, record-setting for a fourth quarter in a playoff game, to power the Pacers forward. On Thursday, the MVP accolade will be officially presented to Gilgeous-Alexander in front of his home crowd as Oklahoma City hosts Minnesota for Game 2 of the Western Conference finals.
Elsewhere, the NBA’s award season continues, as Gilgeous-Alexander shares his touching reaction to winning the MVP, even tearing up when mentioning his wife. Canada’s first MVP, Steve Nash, expressed his excitement over witnessing another Canadian achieving this prestigious status. Despite not clinching the MVP title, Nikola Jokic has maintained a top-2 standing for the fifth consecutive year, a feat that has capped off varying finishes for past winners like Giannis and LeBron.
In the run-up to these tense conference finals, stats provide a deeper insight. From Boston to Cleveland and Denver, teams are preparing fiercely. Meanwhile, the Knicks-Pacers rivalry adds another unforgettable installment to its storied timeline. Upcoming games are slated on various national TV slots, with Oklahoma City listed as heavy favorites by BetMGM Sportsbook.
The East and West conference finals schedules have been set, and Indiana is preparing for a unique doubleheader on Sunday, decking out sports fans with both the Indy 500 and an evening Pacers playoff matchup. Alongside the MVP revelation, other awards highlight rising talents and significant contributions within the league.
The NBA also anticipates the All-NBA team announcement coming soon, adding to the suspense and prestige as the playoffs continue to captivate fans through breathtaking performances and unpredictable game outcomes.
Looming as key events, the potential Game 7s for both conference finals are marked on June 1 and 2, while the NBA Finals commence on June 5, constructing a dense month of must-watch basketball. Meanwhile, draft season gets underway, with the Dallas Mavericks defying odds to seize the number one pick, setting their sights on Cooper Flagg—a promising young talent.
This season has produced an astonishing number of comebacks, with multiple teams overcoming deficits of 20 points or more—a record-setting statistic since the play-by-play era began in the late 1990s. Indiana’s resilience is particularly noteworthy, rallying from late-game deficits multiple times to secure pivotal wins. As noted by coach Rick Carlisle, persistence and extended performance highlight the Pacers’ ethos.