This absurd stat that PROVES the Pacers could win it all, + Flagg for Giannis: who says no?
Tom Haberstroh and Dan Devine have unearthed the data that shows Indiana is NOT to be messed with. The Big Number guys explain how the Pacers laid waste to the #1-seed Cleveland Cavaliers, and likely won't be stopped anytime soon. Plus the guys ask the question, would Nico Harrison ever, shockingly, consider trading the #1 overall pick? What caliber of superstar would need to be offered to the Mavs' GM for him to come off of Cooper Flagg?!? The guys think Giannis Antetokounmpo of the Milwaukee Bucks may convince Nico to do the unthinkable (again)!
Advertisement
(00:50) - Big Number: Pacers ridiculous 2025 win rate
(12:25) - Andrew Nembhard's dominant defense
(17:35) - Indy's press defense tendencies are working
(22:35) - Pacers' playoff-leading effective FG%
(27:05) - Tyrese Haliburton: the wellspring of offensive efficiency
(32:30) - Mavericks land Cooper Flagg – but will they keep him?
Cleveland Cavaliers v Indiana Pacers - Game Four INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - MAY 11: Tyrese Haliburton #0 of the Indiana Pacers dribbles the ball in the first quarter against the Cleveland Cavaliers during Game Four of the Eastern Conference Semifinals at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on May 11, 2025 in Indianapolis, Indiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by)
(Photo by)
🖥️ Watch this full episode on YouTube
Check out the rest of the Yahoo Sports podcast family at https://apple.co/3zEuTQj or at Yahoo Sports Podcasts
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
USA Today
42 minutes ago
- USA Today
Ranking all 18 Big Ten Mascots
The Big Ten conference has some of the most aesthetiycally intriguing and iconic mascots. Whether it be the standard-bearing Oregon Duck, which somehow interprets the concept perfect, or USC, whose human and costume mascots add a unique flair to their program, each program has a distinct hype man backing them throughout their as some fanbases may come to find, none at all. 18. Indiana Hoosiers One of two Big Ten schools without a mascot, there's a lot going against Indiana at the bottom. The first reason being that traditionally, Indian has not been a powerhouse Big Ten school for quite some time despite having some success on the gridiron. Add in the fact the the Hoosiers is very much tailored to the state's rich basketball history and that may be the reason why Indiana can't find a mascot to satisfy all fronts. 17. Michigan Wolverines The other school surprisingly without a mascot, at the very least, Michigan has slightly more aura surrounding its program than the Hoosiers. Their rich footballing history combined with their classic maize and blue color scheme give them the edge in the mascotless race. 16. Iowa Hawkeyes Mascot Name: Harry the Hawk The first school with a mascot on this list, Harry the Hawk does not quite fit the intimidating nature of the team's uniforms. The beak on the head is too unwieldy and unappealing and counteracts the aesthetic of adding a uniform. It would be much higher if they figured out a more presentable beak. 15. Purdue Boilermakers Mascot Name: Purdue Pete The low ranking for Purdue Pete stems from the head. It's highly offputting and eliminates all of the visually appealing things going on with the rest of the outfit, including the camo pants and the hard hat. Plus, it doesn't really fit the model of what a "Boilermaker" could potentially be. 14. Illinois Fighting Illini Mascot Name: Kingfisher Surprisingly, a school with the nickname "Fighting Illini" does in fact have a mascot. And while Kingfisher is perfectly okay and is a much better concept than many other Big Ten schools, the clash between an intriguing mascot and an offputting team nickname is enough to scratch your head. Maybe history will be on Kingfisher's side in the long term, but for now, it's a bit befuddling for the Illini. 13. Maryland Terrapins Mascot Name: Testudo While some might find a turtle as a mascot somewhat confusing, I actually like the look of Testudo. It's almost as if he's half Pokemon and half Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle. That aesthetic, at least in my mind, somehow works a lot better than I ever imagined. At the very least as well, it's an effort to be creative with a weird nickname. 12. UCLA Bruins Mascot Name: Joe Bruin Joe Bruin is just a classic middle of the pack kind of mascot that doesn't overdo anything but still might not do enough for certain people. It's a good-looking bear at best, but the color clash between the blue and gold jersey and the brown fur makes it look a bit Build-a-Bearish at worst. Not a good look for a blueblood college sports program. 11. Northwestern Wildcats Mascot Name: Willie the Wildcat Willie The Wildcat has an underrated feel to him. Whether it be the way the name rolls off the tongue or because off the interesting color choice of his fur, Willie might not gets the flowers he deserves for simply fitting the part of what a classic mascot should be. Cool name? Check. Cool design? Check. Most importantly, do you fit the school nickname? Check. Willie the Wildcat is about as solid as you can get for a mascot in the conference. 10. Washington Huskies Mascot Name: Harry the Huskie With really nothing much separating both Willie and Harry either aesthetically or stylistically, at least the Washington mascot can hang its hat on being the best ranked mascot named Harry in the conference. 9. Minnesota Golden Gophers Mascot Name: Goldy Gopher With an off-putting nickname such as the Golden Gophers, it must have been hard to come up with a cool concept for Minnesota. However, they somehow pulled it off with Goldy. Her two front teeth are a major selling point and add to the goofiness of the costume. However, a more intimidating look could have seen Goldy higher on this list. However, kudos to Minnesota for trying to get funky with the idea of a gopher. 8. Penn State Nittany Lions Mascot Name: Nittany Lions Unfortunately, bias is a large aspect as to why Penn State's Nittany Lions is this high. Despite the cool nickname and the somewhat decent looking lion costume, the teeth are too creepy and the fur and blue and white color scheme don't quite fit together. However, you can't knock the school you write about too hard and it isn't all that bad when you combine it with the school's crazy atmospheres at football and basketball games. 7. Rutgers Scarlet Knights Mascot Name: Sir Henry the Scarlet Knight It's sometimes hard to pull off a knight mascot considering how bold you might have to go, but Sir Henry is executed to near perfection. He manages to pull off the scarlet and white color scheme better than the teams that wear them. The only points that I would take off are for the disproportionate head. It's a little bit too goofy to fit the whole knight image. 6. USC Trojans Mascot Name: Tommy Trojan It's one thing to have one cool mascot. Having two on the other hand, is quite the feat to pull off. USC do it in style, with the human Trojan riding in on a horse to hype up the crowd and one of the best looking "royal" mascots of the Big Ten, Tommy Trojan, to back it all up. Also, a more intimidating aesthetic is thus created, putting them a bit higher on the list than Sir Henry. 5. Ohio State Buckeyes Mascot Name: Brutus the Buckeye Having the coolest name in the conference, Brutus checks off a lot of boxes: a cool looking head, great design, the scarlet and grey striped shirt, and somehow, the ability to represent a kooky nickname that otherwise would not make sense in the slightest. For that, Brutus just about breaks into the top 5. 4. Nebraska Cornhuskers Mascot Name: Herbie Husker A mascot finally not named Harry but still begins with the letter H, Herbie is forgiven for not exactly being a Cornhusker. Perhaps the most intimidating of the human mascots in the Big Ten, Herbie is the closest thing to a everyman mascot in the conference. Plus the overalls and boots totally add to the Midwestern vibe as well the classic red cowboy hat. 3. Wisconsin Badgers Mascot Name: Bucky Badger Bucky Badger might just be one of the most cerebral mascots of the Big Ten. Somehow the misshapen head works and combines really nicely with the red and white pinstriped shirt. He is a classic in the conference and won't soon be forgotten in the annals of college football history. 2. Oregon Ducks Mascot Name: The Oregon Duck The Oregon Duck could very well make the case for the No. 1 spot on this list. To make a duck mascot more iconic than Aflac's in college sports is difficult and yet Oregon have cracked the code. Equal parts goofy and scary, it shouldn't work as well as it does. But if the Ducks continue to rise in the college sports landscape, the Duck will go down in history as one of the most unusually fascinating mascots of all time. 1. Michigan State Spartans Mascot Name: Sparty Nothing quite beats tradition in college sports, and Sparty the Spartan is steeped in it. Roaming the sidelines since 1955, Sparty represents the tradition of the Big Ten unlike any other program in college sports. He's more than a mascot at some times, he's an institution that is instantly recognizable to those who love college sports. Quite simply a perfect mascot to round off this list.
New York Times
an hour ago
- New York Times
Achilles injuries have vexed the NBA. A Hall of Famer reflects, and doctors analyze
During Game 7 of the 2025 NBA Finals last Sunday, when the basketball world watched Tyrese Haliburton writhe in pain after tearing his right Achilles tendon, Dominique Wilkins sympathized with Haliburton, but wasn't as surprised as others may have been. Not because Haliburton's rupture marked the third such injury for an NBA All-Star during the 2025 playoffs. Not even because of it being the seventh such tear for a league player during the 2024-25 season alone. Never mind that Wilkins, the Naismith Basketball Hall of Famer, suffered the same fate more than 30 years ago, only to rediscover his basketball superpowers after arduous rehabilitation before such bouncebacks were considered routine. Advertisement Wilkins wasn't surprised because he knows an athlete's body can take only so much before being pushed to its ultimate on-court limit. 'It's just a freak accident. It's something unexplainable,' Wilkins told The Athletic after watching Haliburton's injury. 'Usually, when a guy tears his Achilles, there's already some nagging pain that you don't think about beyond wear and tear. You don't think it's something that's going to blow on you. I sympathize with him because the way he went down, it looked like he completely tore it.' When Haliburton's injury was confirmed the following Monday, it further established a season-long trend around the league: players are tearing their Achilles more frequently and at younger ages. There is no singular variable increasing the rate at which basketball players are routinely rupturing — at the bare minimum compromising — the longest, strongest tendon in the body. Bodily attrition plays a distinct role, which Wilkins noted as he reflected on AAU basketball being more popular than ever as players enter the NBA with more mileage than those from prior generations. 'There ain't no question it's the wear and tear,' Wilkins said. 'AAU and all that stuff at a very early age, they never give their bodies a chance to rest. So, yeah, it definitely has something to do with it. … With all the technology in the world, why are guys getting more Achilles tears than we had? It wasn't a lot of guys who had them when I was playing.' For Wilkins, who averaged 24.8 points across 15 NBA seasons stretching from 1982 to 1999, an Achilles rupture then was seen almost as a career death sentence. His rehabilitation, at 32 years old, spanned 282 days between the injury on Jan. 28, 1992, and his return to the court. On Nov. 6, 1992, he had 30 points and made 13 of 26 shots in his first game back against the New York Knicks. He finished the 1992-93 season with the third-highest scoring average of his career (29.9) and a fifth-place finish in the NBA MVP voting. Advertisement Though it may have seemed like 'The Human Highlight Reel' never skipped a beat, returning to regular form was not easy. He knows it will be difficult for Haliburton, Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum and Milwaukee Bucks guard Damian Lillard, who will each navigate their own paths through troubled waters. But difficult does not equate to impossible. 'First thing I thought was my career was over, because at 32, back in those days, that was an injury you didn't come back from and be what you were,' Wilkins said. 'I quickly determined I'm going to work my butt off to get back to the level I was, if not better. I remember getting sarcastic pats on the back with, 'Yeah, good luck with that.' But I tell people all the time, I worked twice a day, every day, for nine months to get back to the level that I once left it, and I came back with my best all-around year with almost 30 points a game. It was just a wonderful year for me.' Before seeing the replay of Haliburton falling to the ground, Nashville, Tenn.-based Dr. Nicholas Strasser, an assistant professor in Vanderbilt University's Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, had flashbacks to the 2019 NBA Finals. Strasser, who also serves as a foot and ankle consultant for Vanderbilt athletics, the NHL's Nashville Predators and the MLS' Nashville SC, remembers a then-30-year-old Kevin Durant tearing his Achilles after trying to combat a calf strain. 'It was so similar to the Kevin Durant situation that, without even seeing (Haliburton), I was like, 'Oh, no. Did he tear his Achilles?' Strasser told The Athletic. 'As soon as they showed the replay, you could see it as he took that, what they call, negative step. You could almost see the recoil to it.' A side-by-side of Tyrese Haliburton's leg injury in Game 7 and Kevin Durant's ruptured Achilles in the 2019 Finals. — Blake Niemann (@Blakes_Take2) June 23, 2025 From an orthopedic surgeon's perspective, a negative step refers to a sudden backward shift of the foot, typically when a player pushes or plants their foot behind the body to accelerate or change direction. In such instances, the Achilles tendon both contracts and lengthens, which places great stress on the muscle and makes it vulnerable to rupture, particularly in fatigued or degenerated tendons. It's a classic setup for a non-contact injury, often described by patients as feeling like getting kicked in the back of the leg. The story of the greatest players in NBA history. In 100 riveting profiles, top basketball writers justify their selections and uncover the history of the NBA in the process. The story of the greatest players in NBA history. 'The Achilles is similar to a bow string on a violin. It looks like one structure, but within that structure is a lot of fiber,' said Dr. Kenneth Jung, an orthopedic foot and ankle surgeon at Cedars-Sinai Orthopaedics in Los Angeles and a consultant to the NFL's Los Angeles Rams. 'You can have straining of the fibers, partial tearing or a complete rupture. But the MRI will allow you to see, within the tendon, if there's early changes or early signs of injury. It can also be used to confirm the rupture.' Advertisement In 2013, a 34-year-old Kobe Bryant tore his simply by spinning baseline for a fadeaway bucket. He walked off the floor, but not without first shooting and making two free throws. When Haliburton went down, the basketball world witnessed a major injury for a 25-year-old All-NBA guard. Advanced technology helps with both diagnosing and anticipating Achilles ruptures. The many variables add up to sound reasoning, even if a diagnosis is never truly a binary endeavor: In recent weeks, arguments about sneaker usage — ranging from Durant to former NBA guard Nick Van Exel and even rapper/sports analyst Cam'ron — have entered the chat about commonplace Achilles ruptures. Some, like Wilkins, have argued that wearing low-top sneaker cuts has an adverse effect in comparison to mid-quarter and high-top cuts, but the jury is still out regarding a scientific explanation on the effect of footwear. 'That's a hard one for me,' Strasser said. 'I can definitely see the risk of ankle sprains and rolling your ankles and having more support, but it's a different injury. The Achilles spans such a long distance. 'Technically, the muscle goes all the way up to the knee and then comes across two joints, so it would be hard for me to say there's a direct correlation between that portion of the shoe and Achilles tendon ruptures. I'd be more concerned with rolling your ankle or something like that, because it's hard to find anything that can brace an Achilles.' In some cases, according to Jung, shoe support can play a role, but it's not a black-and-white measure. The popularity of low-top sneakers among basketball players has grown in recent years, so it's unfair to broadly conflate that trend with such a life-changing injury. With sneakers, heel level does play a factor in an Achilles tear, even if other variables influence whether a rupture takes place. Lighter weight in a sneaker can decrease support, leaving a leg at risk for injury. And sometimes, even with the sturdiest sneaker, the danger of a rupture remains because, as Wilkins mentioned, it simply can be a freak accident. But sports specialization undeniably influences matters, as more hoopers are choosing the game at a younger age, thus increasing the risk of repeatedly stressing the same joints before ever playing an NBA minute. Advertisement 'Your body has to have time to recover,' Wilkins said. 'You can't push a body like a machine, because it's not. You push your body to the point where you're getting better, getting stronger. 'But the greats — the Kobes, myself, the Michaels (Jordan) — we took a little downtime to let our bodies rest. Even though we pushed ourselves to the limit, you've still got to let your body rest.' According to Strasser, surgery for repairing an Achilles tendon normally doesn't take more than two hours. The patient is positioned on their stomach with a generic anesthetic used to subdue them. It often is an outpatient surgery. The muscle-tendon relationship must be restored before a patient advances to load-bearing to avoid muscle atrophy. Anywhere from six to 12 weeks is when the tendon can eventually take on more, but early loading and eventual motion practice can make a difference. Beyond a successful surgery, nutrition is an underrated variable. An athlete's diet matters. 'Somebody in the NBA is probably going to have optimal nutrition,' Strasser said. 'But certainly making sure they're getting enough protein and a balanced diet to help promote tendon healing and minimize muscle atrophy is all really key for building blocks in muscle maintenance and tendon repair.' A player's return to the court can vary by a myriad of factors. Wilkins credits sound patience. Although Wilkins is recognized as a standard bearer for Achilles recoveries, the recuperation curve remains steep. Bryant and Patrick Ewing had steep decreases in their player efficiency ratings upon returning from their injuries. Durant, who was recently traded to the Houston Rockets, sports 53.1/41.5/88.0 shooting splits since returning from his rupture but has missed almost an average of 26 games per season since the 2019 NBA Finals. Advertisement No matter how ambitious the timetable, the balance between seeing results and prioritizing peace can be the ultimate measure in recovering from what many see as a finisher to an NBA career. Depending on a player's age, the margins could already be thin. Body parts stiffening is a reality with aging, so a successful recovery becomes tougher sledding — not impossible, of course — when an athlete can't move as accustomed. Fortunately, Achilles rupture recoveries have advanced well enough to expedite load-bearing for players to make better informed decisions as they pursue on-court returns. But in a league where the best players are thriving while being challenged, peace of mind can be uncommon when it comes to an athlete sniffing a return to familiar form. 'It's the patience that will determine how he will come back,' Wilkins said. 'That patience and hard work. … You learn how to play the game on the ground as well as in the air, becoming more fundamentally sound. (Injured players) will notice those things through development.'
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
WNBA Fans Pick Side In Caitlin Clark, Paige Bueckers Debate
WNBA Fans Pick Side In Caitlin Clark, Paige Bueckers Debate originally appeared on The Spun. Caitlin Clark may not have taken the floor in last night's game between the Dallas Wings and Indiana Fever but that didn't stop basketball fans from taking a side in the debate between her and Paige Bueckers. Advertisement Both highly-touted No. 1 picks coming out of college, Bueckers scored 27 points in her team's 94-86 defeat with six assists, two blocks and two steals. And it had people wondering whether or not the ex-UConn star is actually better than the reigning WNBA Rookie of the Year. "Paige Bueckers is an all-round better basketball player than Caitlin Clark but some of you aren't ready for that conversation 🤫" a user said. "Paige Bueckers is a better overall basketball player than Caitlin Clark and will be a better WNBA player," another predicted. "Paige Bueckers might be better than Caitlin Clark bro lol.." a fan laughed. "she can score in so many different ways it's crazy." Advertisement "Paige Bueckers even beat Caitlin Clark to 200+ points and 50+ assists 👀" DraftKings Sportsbook shared. "Paige Bueckers is so much better than Caitlin Clark. Just wait for her to get better teammates!!" another person exclaimed. "Folks forget Paige Bueckers was Caitlin Clark before Caitlin Clark before injuries." "they want Caitlin Clark & Paige Bueckers to be opps so bad," another user posted. "Just enjoy watching both of them hoop and STFU sometimes." Apr 14, 2025; New York, New York, USA; Paige Bueckers is interviewed by ESPN after being selected with the number one overall pick to the Dallas Wings in the 2025 WNBA Draft at The Shed at Hudson Yards. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Carchietta-Imagn Images. It's hard to argue with Paige's talent as a former three-time All-American and national champion. But Caitlin's skillset is also enormous and she has the type of showmanship and following that can single-handedly change economies. Advertisement Like many sports arguments it all comes down to taste; however it's almost impossible to imagine that these two won't be among the W's best when we look back on this argument 5-10 years from now. Related: ESPN Breaks Silence On Stephen A. Smith's Absence From 'First Take' WNBA Fans Pick Side In Caitlin Clark, Paige Bueckers Debate first appeared on The Spun on Jun 28, 2025 This story was originally reported by The Spun on Jun 28, 2025, where it first appeared.
