Pacers fend off Knicks, go home up 2-0 in East finals

Pacers fend off Knicks, go home up 2-0 in East finals

Pascal Siakam is a three-time All-Star who has carried an underrated label throughout most of his nine-year NBA career. Rest assured that Indiana Pacers coach Rick Carlisle doesn't view him that way. The team-first Siakam's scoring is what was coveted Friday night and he didn't disappoint as the Pacers took a 2-0 lead in the best-of-seven Eastern Conference finals. Siakam scored a playoff career-best 39 points and Indiana picked up its second straight road triumph in the series by outclassing the New York Knicks 114-109 on Friday night. Game 3 is Sunday night at Indianapolis. Siakam made 15 of 23 field-goal attempts to set the tone for Indiana's sixth consecutive playoff road victory. Myles Turner had 16 points and Tyrese Haliburton added 14 points, 11 assists and eight rebounds for the fourth-seeded Pacers. "I just came out aggressive," Siakam said. "At the end of the day, we're a team. It doesn't matter who scores. That's what I love so much about this team is we don't care who scores. We just want to win the game. "I got it going early and the guys did a good job of finding me. Another night, it will be somebody else. That's what makes us special." Siakam has averaged more than 20 points in six straight seasons, the last 1 1/2 campaigns coming with the Pacers. He won an NBA title with the Toronto Raptors in 2019 and Carlisle views him as a vital cog in Indiana's attempt to win one of its own. "He's a veteran who has been in these situations multiple times," Carlisle said. "He understands the importance of patience and being disciplined and understanding the NBA playoffs are a process. "He never forces it. When we get in a bind late in the shot clock, he can get a shot up to the rim and most of the time it goes in." Jalen Brunson scored 36 points to set a Knicks postseason record of 19 30-point outings. He made five 3-pointers and added 11 assists. Karl-Anthony Towns and Mikal Bridges each had 20 points and seven rebounds for third-seeded New York. The Knicks trailed by 10 before ripping off nine straight late points. Anunoby made two free throws and Brunson added five straight points to cut Indiana's lead to 110-107 with 1:06 remaining. Josh Hart scored on a layup with 14.7 seconds left to bring New York within one. Aaron Nesmith was fouled without any time coming off the clock and made both free throws to put the Pacers ahead by three. Brunson missed a long 3-pointer with just over eight seconds left before Turner made both free throws to give Indiana the final five-point margin with 4.2 seconds to go. "We had a chance to tie the ballgame," New York coach Tom Thibodeau said. "It was a hard-fought game. Both games came down to the last play." Indiana rallied from a 14-point deficit with under three minutes remaining in regulation in Game 1 and eventually won 138-135 in overtime. Though the Knicks now face two games at Indianapolis, New York forward Mikal Bridges knows it takes four victories for a team to win the series. "Just take it one game at a time," Bridges said. "I know it is 2-0 but it is still a long series. We just have to find different ways to advance." Ben Sheppard and Siakam knocked down consecutive 3-pointers to cap an 11-2 run as Indiana broke a tie and took a 94-85 advantage with 9:17 remaining in the game. New York was within 103-99 before Haliburton drained a trey and Siakam made two free throws to give the Pacers a nine-point lead with 3:23 to play. A short time later, Haliburton threaded a pass to a wide-open Siakam for a layup to make it 110-100 with 2:45 left. That hoop allowed Siakam to pass his previous playoff career high of 37 points. The Pacers shot 51.8 percent from the field, including 13 of 30 from 3-point range. Nesmith and Andrew Nembhard had 12 points apiece and T.J. McConnell scored 10. OG Anunoby added 16 points for New York, which made 47.6 percent of its shots and was 11 of 32 from behind the arc. Siakam scored Indiana's first 11 points and had 16 in the opening quarter but New York put together a 17-5 quarter-ending push to take a 26-24 edge. New York led 52-49 at the break behind Brunson's 17 points. Siakam had 23 in the half for the Pacers. Siakam's basket with 28.7 seconds left in the third quarter put Indiana ahead by two before Brunson tied the score at 81 on a short basket with 2.5 seconds remaining. --Field Level Media

byNicholas Miller

in

May 24, 2025

Pacers fend off Knicks, go home up 2-0 in East finals

Pacers fend off Knicks, go home up 2-0 in East finals Pascal Siakam is a three-time All-Star who has carried an underrated label throughout ...

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Pirates ace Paul Skenes on the idea the last-place club should trade him: 'Anybody can play GM'

Pirates ace Paul Skenes on the idea the last-place club should trade him: 'Anybody can play GM'

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Paul Skenes didn't hear Pittsburgh Pirates general manager Ben Cherington say that trading the reigning National League Rookie of the Year to give the last-place club an influx of much-needed position player talent is "not at all part of the conversation." When someone relayed Cherington's comments to him, the 22-year-old ace laughed. "It doesn't affect anything," Skenes told The Associated Press late Friday night after the Pirates ralliedfor a 6-5, 10-inning winover Milwaukee. "Anybody can play GM." True, but it says something about where the Pirates are currently at — well out of playoff position before Memorial Day — that Cherington's uncharacteristically blunt answer made headlines anyway.. Yet if Skenes, who celebrated his first anniversary in the majors two weeks ago, has learned anything during his rise to stardom over the last three years, it's that noise is not the same as news. "There's no substance to just all that talk that you hear on social media and news outlets and stuff like that," Skenes said. It's one of the many reasons he makes it a point to try and block all the noise out. Yes, Skenes understands that baseball is a business — he said as much aftermanager Derek Shelton was fired on May 8— but he also knows his business at this point in his career is focused entirely on throwing a baseball, not worrying about who he's throwing it for. There could very well be a time when Skenes moves on, either by Pittsburgh's choice or his own. That time, at least to Skenes, is not coming anytime soon. Pittsburgh is last in the major leagues in runs with 157, and no high-profile position player prospect ready to walk into the home clubhouse at PNC Park as a big leaguer anytime soon. "Ben's job is to create a winning team and a winning organization," Skenes said. "So, what it looks like to him (is up to him)." Skenes added if the Pirates decided to make some sort of highly unusual move by trading one of the sport's brightest young stars, even though he remains under team control for the rest of the decade and isn't even eligible for arbitration until 2027, he wouldn't take it personally. "I don't expect it to happen," Skenes stressed. "(But Cherington) is going to look out for what's best for the Pirates. If he feels (trading me) is the right way to go, then he feels that's the right way to go. But you know, I have to pitch well, that's the bottom line." Skenes has been every bit the generational talent Pittsburgh hoped it was getting when it selected him with thetop pick in the 2023 draft. The 6-foot-6 right-hander was a sensation from the moment he made hisbig-league debut last Mayand even as the team around him has scuffled — the Pirates tied a major-league record by going 26 straight games without scoring more than four runs, a streak that ended in a loss to the Brewers on Thursday — he has not. Five days after throwing the first complete game of his career in a 1-0 loss to Philadelphia, Skenes kept the Brewers in check over six innings, giving up just one run on four hits with two walks and eight strikeouts. When he induced Sam Frelick into a grounder to second to finish the sixth, many in the crowd of 24,646 rose to their feet to salute him as he sauntered his way back to the dugout. He exited with a 2-1 lead, then watched from afar the struggling bullpen let it slip away. The Pirates, in an all-too-rare occurrence, fought back, rallying to tie it in the ninth on Oneil Cruz's second home run, then winning it in the 10th when Adam Frazier raced home on a wild pitch. Afterward, music blared and Skenes — who hasn't won in a month despite having a 2.32 ERA across his five May starts — flashed a smile that was a mixture of happiness and relief. "It's nice to see us pull it out, which is something that we haven't done as much to this point in the year," he said. "Hopefully it's a good sign." The Pirates sure could use some. Skenes has been fully invested in the franchise since baseball commissioner Rob Manfred called his name in the amateur draft two years ago. He has embraced his role asone of baseball's first Gen Z starsand has become comfortable being the face of the franchise, even if that franchise hasn't won much of anything in 30-plus years. The challenge of trying to help make the Pirates truly matter is something Skenes has eagerly accepted. He's as invested in the city as he is in the team itself. Asked if the outside speculation that the club should move on from him so quickly is disrespectful to the effort he's made to be everything the Pirates have asked him to be, the former Air Force cadet shrugged. "I don't feel anything good or bad toward it," he said. Maybe because he realizes it's simply not worth the energy. It hasn't been the start to 2025 that anybody associated with the Pirates has wanted. Skenes believes there's been a "little bit more fight" since Don Kelly took over as manager. He believes that he's gaining more mastery over his ever-expanding arsenal. He believes he's developing chemistry with catcher Henry Davis. That's a lot for a veteran to handle, let alone someone who doesn't turn 23 until next week. It's why focusing on his long-term future — or what others are saying about it — is wasted energy. Skenes was asked about what it's been like to work with Davis, the top overall pick in the 2021 draft. His answer could have doubled for where Skenes finds himself in general as he tries to navigate the push-pull of stardom and all the trappings — both good and bad — that come with it. "Just really got to keep doing what we're doing," he said, "continue learning and let everything take care of itself, I guess." ___ More AP baseball:https://apnews.com/MLB

byNicholas Miller

in

May 24, 2025

Pirates ace Paul Skenes on the idea the last-place club should trade him: 'Anybody can play GM'

Pirates ace Paul Skenes on the idea the last-place club should trade him: 'Anybody can play GM' PITTSBURGH (AP) — Paul Skenes didn...

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Pete Crow-Armstrong's 2nd 6 RBI game is one for the Cubs' history books

Pete Crow-Armstrong's 2nd 6 RBI game is one for the Cubs' history books

CINCINNATI (AP) — No matter where Craig Counsell puts Pete Crow-Armstrong in the Chicago Cubs lineup, the center fielder is producing at a record rate. Crow-Armstrong's first career grand slam in the seventh inning ofFriday night's 13-6 win over the Cincinnati Redsmade him the first Cubs player since runs batted in became an official stat in 1920 to have two games with at least six RBIs in a calendar month. The 23-year old outfielder — who batted cleanup on Friday night — drove in six runs from the leadoff spot in theCubs' 13-3 victory over the White Sox on May 16. "It's real cool. We always find a lot of interesting stats in this game I'm starting to see," Crow-Armstrong said. "I'm very lucky to be able to move around throughout this lineup and have a lot of opportunities in front of me. I don't get that without my dudes on base." According to Sportradar, it is the 36th time a major-league player has had two six RBI games in a calendar month. The last player to do it before Crow-Armstrong was Derek Dietrich, who accomplished the feat in May 2019 for the Reds. Crow-Armstrong had a two-run homer in the fourth inning. With the Cubs trailing 6-4 with two outs in the seventh inning, heconnected on Tony Santillan's elevated slider, which hit off the right-field foul pole to put the Cubs on top for good. It was his fourth career multi-homer game and second this season. Crow-Armstrong looked like a golfer after hitting the pitch trying to will the ball to stay fair as it was hooking and then did anemphatic bat flipafter it ricocheted off the pole. He celebrated while rounding the bases. "I thought it was going foul, and then it didn't," he said. "I've learned that it is nice to be able to enjoy those moments. Getting to look in the dugout after that ball hits the foul pole is one of the more rewarding things as I go about my day. I think this is a sport where you should appreciate those moments, and we've had a lot of those this year, so it's been nice to be able to to kind of cherish those." Crow-Armstrong is tied for seventh in the majors with 14 home runs. However, all of them have come in the last 34 games. He is the third Cub since 1901 to have at least 14 round trippers in that span, joining Sammy Sosa and Hank Sauer, who did it twice. He's also third in the majors with 45 RBIs and tied for sixth with 14 stolen bases. According to Elias, he is the third big-league player since 1920 with at least 14 homers, 14 steals and 45 RBIs through the first 51 games of a season. Eric Davis was the last to do it in 1987 with the Reds and Ken Williams the first with the 1922 St. Louis Browns. "There's no question that Pete's kind of doing some things very uniquely right," Counsell said. "And he does some things that other guys can't do. And that's so much fun to watch. That's why you hear people chant his name all the time. So we're lucky to be able to watch something like this." ___ AP MLB:https://apnews.com/hub/mlb

byNicholas Miller

in

May 24, 2025

Pete Crow-Armstrong's 2nd 6 RBI game is one for the Cubs' history books

Pete Crow-Armstrong's 2nd 6 RBI game is one for the Cubs' history books CINCINNATI (AP) — No matter where Craig Counsell puts Pete C...

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Stuart Skinner blanks Stars as Oilers even West finals

Stuart Skinner blanks Stars as Oilers even West finals

The Edmonton Oilers have a track record of bringing their best effort in the playoffs when it is needed most. The Oilers did it again with a strong performance in their 3-0 Game 2 road victory over the Dallas Stars on Friday to even their Western Conference final series. Goaltender Stuart Skinner posted his third shutout of the playoffs and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins collected one goal and one assist to lead the Oilers, who tied the best-of-seven series at 1-1. Game 3 is Sunday afternoon in Edmonton. Brett Kulak and Connor Brown also scored, while Evan Bouchard netted a pair of assists. "We believe that we're a good team in a tough situation," captain Connor McDavid said. "Down one on the road, gotta have your best game, and we had a good one. We found a way to win." Skinner, who equalled Curtis Joseph's franchise record for shutouts in a year, delivered 25 saves in a bounce-back outing for him and the team. Skinner's biggest save of the clash -- a sprawling stick stop in the third period when Esa Lindell fired at an open net -- was a perfect example of why the Oilers won and gained momentum as the series shifts to Edmonton. "Desperation and lucky to get a stick on it," Skinner said. "It's just compete. you saw that from me and saw that from everybody out there." Goalie Jake Oettinger stopped 22 shots for the Stars, who were blanked for the fourth time in this year's Stanley Cup playoffs. "Not the game we wanted," Stars forward Wyatt Johnston said. "But it's a long series and the most important game is the next one." After failing to score a road power-play goal in the first two rounds, the Oilers opened the scoring with a second man-advantage marker in as many outings when Nugent-Hopkins redirected Bouchard's point shot at the 5:51 mark. Seconds after Skinner denied a golden chance, Kulak doubled the Edmonton lead at 15:23 of the second period by burying his own second chance for his first goal of the playoffs. With his assist on the goal, McDavid became the fourth player in NHL history to collect 20 or more points in four consecutive playoff runs, joining Sergei Fedorov of the Detroit Red Wings, and New York Islanders greats Mike Bossy and Bryan Trottier. Brown made it a three-goal edge 73 seconds later by heading to the net and redirecting a Nugent-Hopkins shot. The Stars gave very little reason to expect another third-period comeback, managing only a few quality scoring chances in the final frame. "I liked our game better than Game 1," coach Pete DeBoer said. "We were playing from behind but it's a pretty even game a chunk of the game. ... We had some looks where he made some saves." Adding to the intensity of the coming games will be the status of Dallas top-line center Roope Hintz, who needed help to the dressing room early in the third period after being on the receiving end of a slash near the ankle from Darnell Nurse, for which he was assessed a two-minute penalty. Asked what he thought of the penalty, DeBoer replied: "Does anyone in this room think that if Connor McDavid gets carried off the ice like that, that it's not a five minute major? That's my answer." --Field Level Media

byNicholas Miller

in

May 24, 2025

Stuart Skinner blanks Stars as Oilers even West finals

Stuart Skinner blanks Stars as Oilers even West finals The Edmonton Oilers have a track record of bringing their best effort in the playoffs...

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Ward's 15th homer helps power Angels to 8th straight win, 7-4 over Marlins

Ward's 15th homer helps power Angels to 8th straight win, 7-4 over Marlins

ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Taylor Ward hit his 15th home run and the Los Angeles Angels beat the Miami Marlins 7-4 on Friday night for their eighth straight win. Ward's solo homer in the second inning gave him seven, including two grand slams, during the club's 9-2 road trip. Jorge Soler also hit his seventh homer giving the Angels at least two homers in a club-record seven straight games. They have homered in 13 consecutive games, the longest active MLB streak. Ward added a sacrifice fly and Logan O'Hoppe an RBI double for a 3-0 lead in the fourth. Catcher's interference, a hit-by-pitch and a sacrifice fly with the bases loaded made it 6-0 in the sixth. Yusei Kikuchi (1-4) went 5 2/3 scoreless innings, giving up seven hits and four walks while striking out five. He picked up his first win in 11 starts this season. Kenley Jansen walked two in the ninth but got his 11th save in 11 opportunities. Miami's Sandy Alcantara (2-7) went 5 1/3 innings, giving up six runs, five earned, with two walks and six strikeouts. Eric Wagaman had three hits including his fourth homer of the season in the seventh and a two-run single in the eighth. Kyle Stowers had an RBI double among his three hits. He has a 20-game on-base streak and has hit safely in 10 straight. Key moment Hunter Strickland relieved Kikuchi with two outs and the bases loaded in the sixth. Liam Hicks hit a soft grounder that shortstop Zach Neto charged and threw to first to barely get Hicks. Key stat Ward's homer gave him an extra-base hit in nine straight games, tying Darin Erstad (1998) for the club record. Up next Miami's Cal Quantrill (3-4, 6.47 ERA) pitches against the Angels' José Soriano (3-4, 3.57) on Saturday. ___ AP MLB:https://apnews.com/hub/mlb

byNicholas Miller

in

May 23, 2025

Ward's 15th homer helps power Angels to 8th straight win, 7-4 over Marlins

Ward's 15th homer helps power Angels to 8th straight win, 7-4 over Marlins ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Taylor Ward hit his 15th home run and ...

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