Josue Pavon Articles - Page 10

OKLAHOMA CITY — Before Oklahoma City Thunder center Isaiah Hartenstein inked a three-year, $87 million deal, Thunder GM Sam Presti and the front office traveled to recruit the veteran free agent. For the first time in his career, Hartenstein’s adversity-filled journey had options last summer. The New York Knicks were eager to re-sign Isaiah, who […]

OKLAHOMA CITY — Oklahoma City Thunder guard Lu Dort has come a long way from an undrafted prospect to an NBA champion. Like his coach, Mark Daigneault, and some of his teammates, Dort’s journey began in the G League with the Oklahoma City Blue. Similar to Isaiah Hartenstein’s path through the G League, Lu made […]

OKLAHOMA CITY — Fresh off their first NBA championship, the future looks brighter than ever for Oklahoma City Thunder All-Star Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren. Wrapping up their third NBA season by helping the Thunder win its first title in franchise history, Williams was driven to tears after Game 7. Then, after many setbacks that […]

OKLAHOMA CITY — As the clock wound down to zero in Game 7 of a 103-91 championship-clinching win against the Indiana Pacers, Oklahoma City Thunder All-Star Jalen Williams’ eyes filled up with tears of joy. Earning his first NBA championship in his third season, Williams made sure all of his teammates celebrated bringing home the […]

OKLAHOMA CITY — After capturing his first NBA championship in Game 7 against the Indiana Pacers, Oklahoma City Thunder All-Star and NBA Finals MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander showered the front office with appreciation for a remarkable journey. Gilgeous-Alexander’s NBA Finals MVP award tops a campaign that only Hall of Fame guard Michael Jordan and centers Kareem […]

OKLAHOMA CITY — While Oklahoma City Thunder All-Star and NBA Finals MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was making his way to his press conference after eliminating the Indiana Pacers in Game 7 of the NBA Finals, head coach Rick Carlisle stopped him in his tracks. Add Finals MVP to Gilgeous-Alexander’s historic 2024-25 campaign, joining a rare group […]

OKLAHOMA CITY — After winning the 2025 NBA Finals against the Indiana Pacers, 4-3, Oklahoma City Thunder forward Chet Holmgren delivered a memorable line amidst celebrating the franchise’s first championship. It was related to his hip injury sustained during the regular season and the lengthy road to recovery that followed. Holmgren missed 50 games, returning […]

OKLAHOMA CITY — Coach Rick Carlisle and the Indiana Pacers kept their season alive in a 108-91 win in Game 6 of the NBA Finals, setting the stage for a best-of-7 finale against the Oklahoma City Thunder. The winner captures the 2025 NBA championship, which would be a franchise’s first for either squad. However, after […]

OKLAHOMA CITY — Win or lose, Oklahoma City Thunder All-Star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander relishes “the moment” that every star experiences when their team’s backs are against the wall down the stretch and it’s time to perform. It’s what happened when Gilgeous-Alexander closed out Tyrese Haliburton and the Indiana Pacers in the fourth quarter of Game 4 […]

OKLAHOMA CITY — Amidst an NBA career with very few promises for a journeyman, Oklahoma City Thunder center Isaiah Hartenstein inked a three-year, $87 million contract to join the Thunder last summer. His unique background is similar to that of teammates Alex Caruso and Lu Dort, whose paths to the NBA began in the G […]

OKLAHOMA CITY — With the stage set at the Paycom Center, Oklahoma City Thunder All-Star Jalen Williams addressed the fans, the ambiance, and the anticipation that awaits Oklahoma City’s first Game 7 of the NBA Finals. With their season on the line, Thunder All-Star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander sent a message to his team before facing the […]

OKLAHOMA CITY — As experience between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Indiana Pacers was a storyline throughout the NBA Finals, Thunder All-Star Jalen Williams deemed the shifted focus towards Mark Daigneault and Rick Carlisle unnecessary ahead of Game 7. Daigneault is one win away from his first championship. His five years of experience include […]

OKLAHOMA CITY — Oklahoma City Thunder forward Chet Holmgren vowed to bounce back from Game 6 of the NBA Finals, where he finished with four points on 2-of-9 shooting against the Indiana Pacers. After a 108-91 loss on the road, Holmgren promised to be better in a do-or-die Game 7 at the Paycom Center for […]

OKLAHOMA CITY — As Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the Oklahoma City Thunder prepare for the Indiana Pacers in Game 7 of the NBA Finals, the MVP’s message to his team is simple. It’s a common theme throughout the 2024-25 campaign and one they plan to stick to as the reality of Thunder’s do-or-die Game 7 sets […]

INDIANAPOLIS — Oklahoma City Thunder forward Chet Holmgren addressed his mindset heading into Game 7 of the NBA Finals against the Indiana Pacers. After the Thunder surrendered Game 6 in a 108-91 loss at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, Oklahoma City is on the brink of elimination for the first time in the NBA Finals. Holmgren, who’s confident […]

INDIANAPOLIS — After a 108-91 loss to the Indiana Pacers in Game 6 of the NBA Finals, Jalen Williams and the Oklahoma City Thunder are on the brink of elimination. With the best-of-7 series tied, 3-3, heading back to Oklahoma City, head coach Mark Daigneault gave Pacers credit for outplaying the Thunder before Williams discussed […]

INDIANAPOLIS — After a 108-91 loss in Game 6 of the NBA Finals to the Indiana Pacers, Oklahoma City Thunder forward Chet Holmgren vows to turn things around in a do-or-die Game 7 matchup. Holmgren finished with four points on 2-of-9 attempts in Thursday’s loss. He also challenged his teammates to be better as the […]

INDIANAPOLIS — The Indiana Pacers kept their season alive in a 108-91 win against Mark Daigneault and the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 6 of the NBA Finals. After the loss, Daigneault gave the Pacers credit for a dominant performance. However, when a reporter asked about Thunder All-Star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander coughing up eight turnovers in […]

INDIANAPOLIS — As the only player with a championship ring in his trophy case, Oklahoma City Thunder veteran Alex Caruso showed his teammates what winning looks like on and off the floor during the regular season. In his first season with the Thunder, Caruso is the elder statesman on his team. He was also one […]

INDIANAPOLIS — While Oklahoma City Thunder center Isaiah Hartenstein knows the Indiana Pacers will be fighting to keep their season alive in Game 6 of the NBA Finals, he can almost taste the champagne and smell the cigar smoke. The champagne bottles will be on ice, accompanied by boxes of cigars at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, awaiting […]

INDIANAPOLIS — Oklahoma City Thunder center Isaiah Hartenstein, like many of his teammates, comes from humble beginnings. The 43rd overall pick in the 2017 NBA Draft navigated through various stints in the G League before latching, and unlatching, onto NBA rosters. Now, heading into Game 6 with a 3-2 lead against the Indiana Pacers in […]

On the anniversary of the Los Angeles Lakers’ 16th title, Hall of Fame guard Dwyane Wade reflected on Kobe Bryant and Pau Gasol’s final championship with a hot Finals MVP take in favor of Gasol. Looking back on the 2010 NBA Finals, which Lamar Odom did in his tribute to Kobe, Wade says people forget […]

While taking a trip down memory lane, former NBA Dunk champion Jason Richardson reflected on the significance of never watching Los Angeles Lakers All-Star LeBron James participate in a Slam Dunk Contest. Ahead of his 23rd NBA season, James doesn’t look like he’s retiring anytime soon. However, when the topic of James never participating in […]

INDIANAPOLIS — After Oklahoma City Thunder All-Star Jalen Williams’ historic 40-point performance in Game 5, he received phone calls and messages from many people in his close circle, including his parents. However, with the ultimate goal as close as it’s ever been, with the Thunder heading into Game 6 with a 3-2 lead in their […]

INDIANAPOLIS — The job isn’t finished for Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the Oklahoma City Thunder. As the NBA world is collectively ready to hand the O’Brien Trophy to the Thunder, heading into an opportunity to eliminate the Indiana Pacers in the NBA Finals, head coach Mark Daigneault warned his team about Game 6 on the road. […]

INDIANAPOLIS — When it comes to Oklahoma City Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault preparing to potentially face the Indiana Pacers with or without Tyrese Haliburton, he’s preparing for all of the above. After news of Haliburton’s calf injury broke ahead of Game 6, Tyrese is considered a game-time decision for Thursday’s do-or-die matchup for Indiana. […]

OKLAHOMA CITY — Chet Holmgren and Jalen Williams were both selected by the Oklahoma City Thunder in the 2022 NBA Draft. Holmgren, the second overall pick, has grown close to his draft classmate over the past three seasons. Williams’ historic 40-point performance in Game 5 pushed the Thunder an inch closer to winning a title. […]

OKLAHOMA CITY — While Oklahoma City Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault understands his team is one win away from an NBA title, he also knows his team is one loss away from being on the brink of elimination. The Thunder won Game 5 to take a 3-2 lead in the NBA Finals series against the […]

OKLAHOMA CITY — In only his third NBA season, Oklahoma City Thunder All-Star Jalen Williams made NBA Finals history in Game 5’s 120-109 victory against the Indiana Pacers. With the Thunder leading the best-of-7 series, 3-2, heading into Game 6, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander commended Williams’ 40-point performance. Then, Jalen credited the Oklahoma City organization for putting […]

OKLAHOMA CITY — After Oklahoma City Thunder All-Star Jalen Williams turned in his best postseason performance of the 2024-25 campaign in Game 5 of the NBA Finals against the Indiana Pacers, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander gushed over Williams’ dominance in a 120-109 win. The Thunder are now one win away from winning the NBA championship, due in […]

OKLAHOMA CITY — How Oklahoma City Thunder forward Chet Holmgren’s body responds in the opening frame of Game 5 will be the actual test in finding out his condition against the Indiana Pacers in the NBA Finals. Holmgren, who tweaked his ankle at least twice in the Thunder’s 111-104 win that evened the series, 2-2, […]

OKLAHOMA CITY — Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton revealed he can’t think of another guy he’d want on his team more than Aaron Nesmith. After Nesmith’s dad reflected on his son’s NBA journey, Haliburton looked back on his past two seasons playing alongside Aaron. Tyrese admits that while he didn’t know a lot about his […]

OKLAHOMA CITY — In an exclusive interview with ClutchPoints, Indiana Pacers forward Aaron Nesmith’s father, William Nesmith, reflected on the Boston Celtics trading Nesmith for Malcolm Brogdon in 2022. The news of the deal was a tough pill to swallow for Aaron, coming off his second NBA season, where the Celtics reached the NBA Finals. […]

OKLAHOMA CITY — Shai Gilgeous-Alexander may have put the Oklahoma City Thunder on his back and taken them through the finish line in his impressive performance against the Indiana Pacers in Game 4, but Jalen Williams helped set the stage. His scoring and facilitating kept the score close before a 12-1 Thunder run closed out […]

OKLAHOMA CITY — Before Indiana Pacers forward Aaron Nesmith reached the NBA, his dad, William Nesmith, would drop him off at a gym for early morning workouts with Washington Wizards guard Khris Middleton. Middleton, eight years Aaron’s senior, was entering his first season with the Milwaukee Bucks at the time. For William, those workouts would […]

OKLAHOMA CITY — From the outset, coach Mark Daigneault knew Oklahoma City Thunder All-Star Jalen Williams was a unique talent. After team practice ahead of Game 5, Daigneault reflected on Williams’ growth over the years. In only his third season, Williams emerged as one of the NBA’s rising stars in 2024-25. Jalen earned an All-Star […]

OKLAHOMA CITY — Oklahoma City Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault wants his team to head into Game 5 of the NBA Finals against the Indiana Pacers almost as if they’re trailing in their best-of-7 series. That’s how close the Thunder came to losing Game 4 before Shai Gilgeous-Alexander resuscitated the Thunder’s offense in the fourth […]

OKLAHOMA CITY — After Oklahoma City Thunder All-Star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 15 fourth-quarter points to salvage Game 4 and his team’s chances to win the NBA Finals, the MVP reminded reporters that it was not by design. Heading into a pivotal Game 5 at the Paycom Center, Gilgeous-Alexander stressed the notion that his team needs […]

INDIANAPOLIS — Oklahoma City Thunder veteran Alex Caruso most likely wasn’t expecting a reporter to ask him about the superhero his game most relates to. Still, it’s the question he received after Game 4 of the NBA Finals. Caruso led the bench with 20 points and five steals before Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s scoring closed out the […]